Mon Petit Poppet

Why you should read the instructions!!!

2012-02-02T13:48:00.001+10:00

It may seem a little odd that I'm sharing a bathroom nest-i-fy when I'm yet to unveil my gorgeous renovated sal de bain since this post many moons ago. Well firstly, before any of you think I am living some sort of Laura Ingalls of Little House on the Prairie fame, no I am not bathing in that blue tub any more!

Yes the bathroom is finished...well almost....and looks absolutely "Home Beautiful" quality awesome! My man did a stellar job and I still enjoy showers whilst pondering what used to be there. And yes, the showers are rather frequent thanks to my little Mister Chucky.

So why haven't I shared? Pride...male pride! My hubby has only the ceiling to paint and doesn't want a viewing until he's done..completely done. And since this champion of a man gets up with me each time I feed Remy in the night (my Hubby simply refuses to stay in bed and orders me back under the covers when I'm finished feeding as he cuddles our little Mt Vesuvius keeping him upright for a wee while to help avoid Niagara Falls when he's back in his cot) I simply can not badger him to get it painted.

But onto bigger tales of woe....our new bathmats. Oh yes, they're pretty and practical and made from scrappity scraps of vintage linen and some old towels that had seen better days blah blah blah.

But oh how they nearly sent me over the edge. I used this wonderful book for inspiration and skimmed the instructions...o.k. just looked at the picture really and then jumped in. Four broken needles later and many a whispered swear word (I say whispered because I may have created a potty mouth child who swats furiously as "bloody flies!" as they buzz around her food...oopsie!) And then when I thought the saga was over....these "bl----dy" things created their own sequel. Well pardon me bathmats for not zigzagging the towel pieces to the fabric so you all frayed the first time you were washed.

No one's fault but my own! And they do look lovely in our sparkly new bathroom. And has the lesson been learned...probably not! But doesn't that make life a whole lot more fun?!

Joining in over here....and having a whale of a time exploring all the loveliness while my two babes sleep...at the same time! Hooray!!!

Me Own Serf!

2012-01-30T13:50:00.001+10:00

When I was a wee kipper I was known to be a tad on the stubborn side and ridiculously independent! As an adult I like to call myself..ahem...determined and motivated. The story goes that I followed directly in the path of my own Papa Bear whose catch phrase as a young fellow was, "Me Own Serf!" (translated to mean, "I'll Do It By Myself!). The uncanny thing is that as a babe my saying was, "My Own Self!" in answer to any offer of assistance. Great minds hey?!

Well after drinking in all the magic that is this book and running out of little scraps of paper to mark which projects I'd love to tackle....I decided to make a beautiful Waldorf/Steiner doll for my honey girl. Me Own Serf!!

Oh no sir-ee! This lass couldn't pop online and purchase said doll from some gorgeous and super experienced doll making soul from etsy or other land of crafty goodness.Oh no no no! I like to torture myself with endeavours that will no doubt illicit a cacophony of very colourful language before the end. Me Own Serf!!!

After tracking down all the required materials and reading the instructions through a million times I took the plunge......a week before I went into labour with Monsieur Remoulade. Quelle madness!! (And the madness deepened given that I packed this project (her head to be exact!) in my hospital bag whilst in labour in the hope I'd whittle away at it in the hospital when the little man was born. Ha!!!)

Well needless to say that this little mademoiselle's noggin never caught a glimpse of my hospital room nor has breathed the free air at our house. Instead being holed up in my craft cupboard Rapunzel style where I spy her on occasion and guiltily stuff her further from view, Wicked Witch that I am.

But with both my babes asleep at the same time....(insert that cupped hand sound you used to do to replicate a crowd cheering!) the time has come to get her out and begin finishing her off. Me Own Serf!!!

The Lounge Room

2012-01-20T15:54:00.000+10:00

Over the last while I have found I have been nesting with the zeal of a libido driven bush turkey!

I'm not a neat freak by any stretch of the imagination. For example, just finished vacuuming and find a stray dust bunny near the lounge....pick it up and drop behind said lounge and avert eyes and walk away whistling....I mean, who really looks behind there anyway?

But lately I have found a need to make the space where I spend most of my days one which is clutter free, comfortable and most importantly...lovely to be in! As a stay at home Mumma I feel like my home is akin to my office or desk and when it's bland, chaotic and uninspiring I feel like I'm in the eye of a storm just waiting for the eerie silence to subside before I'm engulfed in the madness, whisked away never to be seen in my former self again!

So to the place where I plonk my derrriére three hourly through the day and more than I'd like at night...the lounge. This creative lass's book has some brilliant ideas none more so than this cushion pattern which quite frankly is pure genius!

I kid you not! The four square cushions took about an hour to cut, sew and plop on the lounge.

Using some yummy yellow and lime vintage sheets and some green, cream and lemon men's shirts picked up for tuppence at the 50% off men's wear at the local oppie I managed to make our lounge smile.

And that is saying something as this is the chair I primarily feed Remy on and hence it spends the better part of most days with milk in some digested form splashed across it's flanks. On that note...people often recoil in horror when they see we have a white lounge...with small children! But heavy duty cotton drill slip covers are magic as they just zip off, have a rock'n'roll in the washing machine, hang all easy breezy in the sunshine and back on the lounge all sparkly new again. Can't imagine too many lounges that can squeeze into your trusty washing machine!

The obsession with vintage sewing baskets is also getting a wee bit out of hand. Last count...6!
But they do look heaven next to the lounge stocked full of crafty projects I'll hopefully get around to doing when I'm not jersey cow 24 hours a day. (Note: love it and wouldn't change it for the world but Geez Louise what I'd give for one feed off!)

And to complete my latest nesting extravaganza...some black and white wedding piccies in an old casement window which we turned into a frame.

This space makes me beam! What nesting have you been up to?

Living the Good Life

2012-01-17T13:18:00.000+10:00

Finding just the right spot for this vintage lovely (ta very muchly Secret Santa Mel)....

Sighing in awe at this woman's voice...absolutely magic.....

Rekindling my vintage clothing obsession and trying to cajole my milk laden ample top half into a thirties slip. Oh the humanity! Mon dieu...didn't those women have boobs?!!

A wee something for the little man...

And something for moi....oh, I love a revamp!...

Smiling at all these teensy little suits even though their number is the result of a happy chucker bubby who seems to bring up more than he keeps down.....

Kissing the gloriously chubby cheeks of Monsieur Remoulade (hubby calls him Monsieur Tub-O-Lard!) and being content he is indeed getting a meal full.

Blue Girl

2012-01-12T14:52:00.000+10:00

Last Sunday my girl....my beautiful blue girl... turned three.

A simple morning tea with her favourite blue plate... a bejewelled crown fit for a queen....

Blue dinosaur bunting (cut out at a quarter to six on Sunday morning after an early morning milky cuddle with Monsieur Remoulade...aka Remy as Mumma felt a wee bit guilty that there were no party decorations.)

And a blue dinosaur cake.....ROAR!!! I do declare that this fellow consumed the remainder of the packet of freckles whilst I was decorating him. Pesky fellow!

Make a wish my blue girl.....may you touch the stars my beloved.

The Better Late Than Never Chrissie Post!

2011-12-29T14:28:00.000+10:00

With a Christmas craft list as long as my labour I entered the festive season full of optimism...well, ridiculous, sleep deprived delirium. There were to be some gorgeous new vintage Christmas fabric bags to rid our gift giving time of tree chewing paper.

A new Christmas dress for poppet using a delicate swatch of pale blue birdy Christmas fabric...a rare find in itself.

Home made preserves, cordials and bikkies with wee little hats made from perfectly manicured Christmas linens with natty pinking sheared edges....oh, Donna Hay you are just a whisker too much to live up to!

And vintage Chrissie tea towel stockings for my gorgeously growing family. Well, what with my world being consumed with mountainous mammories, sweet milky breathed cuddles, a dear hearted little lass serenading her wee brother with exuberant renditions of Feliz Navidad at a decibel level one or two notches above loud....while he sleeps!, the stockings were the only item that found it's way out of my craft cupboard.

And truth be told...they were hung on the eve of Mr. S. Claus's grand entrance in our humble abode!

It felt so good to be creating again. I know that I will only snatch windows of time for the next while to indulge my passion to make but am finding all manner of delight in my best creations of all time....my babies.

I hope your Christmas was a wonderful one and I'm so looking forward to sharing this amazing new chapter of my life with you in the new year. Your support has been remarkable!!

Ta very muchly lovely people!

Little Boy Man

2011-12-02T16:07:00.001+10:00

Little boy man..

You take my breath away.

Hold your head high.

Don't let life pass you by.

Oh, and I wish I could..
Hold all the fears away.
Oh, sing me your dreams..
And you'll face them everyday.

Little boy man..
I'll wipe away your tears.
I wonder what...
Life was without you...

Oh, and I wish I could..
Hold all the tears at bay.
Oh, sing me your dreams..
And I know you'll find your way.

You're the greatest gift.
You're the sweetest kiss.
You're the sunshine.
You're the finest joy we'll ever know.

With you near me..
My smile will never leave
My heart can't be..
Anymore in love with you.

Oh and I wish I could, I could never let you down.
Sing me your dreams..
And I'll guide you on your way.

You're the greatest gift.
You're the sweetest kiss.
You're the sunshine.
You're the finest joy we'll ever know.

A child in us
Is like a miracle

Our beautiful little man, Remy Oberon came into this magical world on the 25th of November at 10:28am weighing 8lb 6oz. Life is grand!!!

(Little Boy Man by Katie Noonan from her Skin album....sublime!)

Nesting...on the back deck

2011-11-22T06:53:00.001+10:00

I spotted this old toy box at Momle's local oppie a while ago and although sturdy and just what I wanted for a storage box for the back deck I was too much of a Mr. Scrooge to fork out the $40 they were asking. Oh, but then thought about it for the next week and cursed said scrooginess as I pondered just the space on the deck where I would have put it and how absolutely parfait it would have been!

When I scooted past last week and saw it was reduced to $20...well I ran! Not pretty people!!. All it took was a therapuetic painting in my favourite paint hue, some ripping off of some manky old Winne the Pooh fabric and a metre of this stripey gorgeousness to create a lovely storage box come seat to keep our gumboots, thongs and poppet's plethora of balls out of the weather....and from under my feet. Can't tell you how many times I've stacked it tripping on a wee purple polka dotted gummie!

Feeling full of vim and vigour today! Only have just over a week to go til we meet out new little person and can't get over how well I'm sleeping and how good I feel....fingers crossed that doesn't mean I'm going to be overdue!!

It's gonna be a bright...bright...bright....sunshiney day!

Introducing the Wood family

2011-11-18T13:52:00.000+10:00

Warning: This post contains some nudity!

Avert the eyes of your poppets as I initially introduce the Wood family....in the raw!

Those prudish types may now relax as the Woods are swathed in rainbows of craft paint.

Here's Mrs. Wisteria Wood as she spends a little bit of "me" time pottering about on her sewing machine with a watered down Pimms in hand. Apron still on fresh from the kitchen where she just baked an apple pie...from scratch! Can't you smell it?!

And lovable Mr. Wesley Wood....a sensitive new age guy and a half as he bathes the children whilst his beloved wife sews! And there'll be no bonds singlets and stubbies for this Aussie dad. Just night need to have a quiet word in his ear about the old fashion adage of "blue and green should never be seen". Bless!

Baby Warren Wood fast asleep in his cot. Fed like a machine...self settled... and will now be out til morn....late morn! Even wearing a collared shirt and a belt around his wee middle. Dream child!!

Little Miss Wendy Wood relaxing quietly on the lounge after she's finished the dusting for her Mumma listening to a spot of music and contemplating how she'll change the world.

A chip off the old block is Wallace Wood in his dapper outfit and yes ladies...that's right....he's making his own bed! And smiling! Mrs. Wood will have young lasses queing up at her door in years to come what with Wally's domestic abilities...and her apple pies.

Oh, beg your pardon Walter Wood! Ever so sorry young man...we'll leave you to it.

And the Wood twins....Wilhemena and William. Never a happier, more loving to each other, only squabble over who gets to fetch the scabble board from the games cupboard, pair of poppets.

Missing in action is Winona...the rogue of the family. Couldn't wait to get away from home. No doubt run off with a yobbo of some description...or perhaps..., just rolled under our lounge.

Here's a house with a wall, with a wall, with a wall....

2011-11-17T14:00:00.001+10:00

Renovations have taken on a major (read: loony) scale in our humble abode and Hubby and I have come to the conclusion that we do indeed work best to a deadline!

The front deck which swayed perilously in the breeze for the last 4 years or so making the first little pig's house look like a Boy's Town Prize Home was replaced in just under a week by a brand spanker complete with railings, privacy screening, a gate for the poppets and lo and behold...a roof!!

And where our open air charmer of a laundry stood complete with gorgeous concrete tubs, a pristine white walled "room"....yes! it has walls!!! is nearing completion. With two pac finished cupboards for oodles of storage and a new stainless steel sink and a benchtop, let me tell you right now...tears of joy will be wept!

A new wall where once was a hall has been erected, plastered, sanded and painted and is eagerly awaiting a few pieces of skirting. That means with just under two weeks to go til my due date...we finally have a baby's room!!!! I'm sure I heard angels singing!!

We have been like little buck tooted beavers revelling in all our industry and have marveled how much has been accomplished in such a short time...and by bringing in some big guns...namely my wonderful uncle and my cousin...both builders extraordinaire! Who knew there was a screw gun? A nail gun, yes. But a screw gun?.....oh, the marvel of modern man!

And amidst all this building I even managed to find time to work on a micro renovation for mon petit poppet. This perfect little doll's house was bought for a song and needed some attention to "de-80's-a-fy" it and make it all that is good and vintagey in the world.

With a deft hand, a fairly meagre budget and a healthy dose of good old gumption I managed to remove the grey vinyl, grey carpet, maroon and yellow curtains and princess stickers and transform this grand old dame into a homely home full of comforts.

Some vintage furniture hunted out on ebay....a few Mumma made wee little quilts, pillows and cushions....

A grandfather clock to keep rhythm of the day. And a sewing machine...bien sur!

And then to attract just the right family....

I'll introduce you to them soon....they're a delightful brood!

Oh so much yummy craftiness over here today :)

Nesting....in the bedroom

2011-11-15T16:07:00.000+10:00

I have become the queen bee of avoiding all that is mundane and "must do-ish!" around our wee abode and have frenzified myself with all manner of titivating and nesting.

Hubby and I have coveted this gorgeous old drop down desk at our dear friends' house for many years and when they had a giant clean out preparing for bubby number three we snaffled it up!

It had the most beautiful parquetry work in the timber and although I sanded it back with all that I had in me (surprisingly quite a bit at this stage of my pregnancy when I've got a bee in my bonnet about something!)....a french polisher I ain't!

Resigning myself to the fact I would never get it back to it's former glory I headed off to the mistint section of ye olde Bunnings and found a peachy shade just perfect for my new "office". Oh yes....remember the craft room becoming le bébé's room....well there goes the study too!

A few quick coats of said peachiness, a thorough splodging of mod podge and some yumbo vintage wallpaper and I now have a lady's desk to rival any Austen heroine's.

Taking pride of place in our bedroom hiding all and sundry related to Mr. and Mrs. Technology and that horror of all horror....the bills folder! C'est parfait!!!

And no lovely friends...you can't have it back ;)

My Creative Space - Bread Bags

2011-11-10T15:34:00.000+10:00

With le bébé's room still requiring painting....after Hubby's frantic week of late night's plastering and sanding, a new front deck needing all manner of splashes of white paint....a laundry that is simply a white room at the moment (read...no cupboards,no taps, no tub....no washing machine!!)...

What do I choose to do? Pull out the undercoat and roller? Nah!!! Curl up on the lounge and embroider a wee bit!

We've started baking our own bread again and have found it has given a wonderful rhythmic start to the week. The only down side...how to store it? Trying to steer away from plastic and trying to keep it out of the fridge lest we create a brick I decided to go back in time.

What would bread have been stored in many pale moons ago? Brown paper...cloth? With a few white tea towels found in the throw out bin at that abyss otherwise known as Spotlight I set to work.

Folded in half and sewed up the sides....a whisker of vintage fabric stitched rather haphazardly on the back to form a tie ....some matching embroidery....a nod to "carb" lovers across the sea and our bread dilemma is solved. Now onto that laundry....mmmm!
Joining in over at this lovely space today.

Nesting...in the kitchen

2011-11-02T13:52:00.000+10:00

Oh how nesty I am getting in this wee little abode! I have a cornucopia of crafty projects on the go at the moment in every nook and cranny of my world.Why is it that when you're in the last stages of your pregnancy and should be lolling about like Migaloo the white whale your energy amps up (albeit...momentarily!) and you plunge into tasks with such zeal?

I, like most of you I no doubt, have a list of proposed crafty projects that would rival Mr. S Claus' naughty and nice roll. My list also has its fair share of good and bad characters and this Speedy Gonzales one topped the nice list.

A few little mats for sopping up water when the washing up morphs into some blob like creation and not only fills the draining rack but inches its way across the bench top. I swear one night I'll be taken in my sleep by a groaning, dripping mass of pots, graters and colanders as it oozes its way down the hall to nab me in my bed!

A trip to one of the many "storage worlds" in the burbs for a new, improved bigger than Ben Hur dish drainer? Non! A whisker of vintage fabric and some old towels, inspiration from this book and this gorgeous girl and I have singlehandedly Ghost Buster style zapped that washing up blob into oblivion. Now if only I can craft up a wee cleaning lady out of such ingredients to do the task for me in the first place....

Send in the Clowns!

2011-11-01T14:15:00.001+10:00

SO very proud of my girl when waiting patiently for her turn to have her face painted we were informed that the lady was packing up! Were there to be tears and tantrums? Sure she was disappointed but responded with an upbeat, "Neber mind....maybe next time Mumma?" Broke my heart!!

As a special treat for her wonderful resilience and spunk a quick stop at the local toy shop for a clown wig and some face crayons was in order.

And what a whale of a time she had! Those lips are just magic.

And now it's time for Mumma's transformation.....

Channelling more of a Stephen King's "It" type of clown ...n'est pas?!

Let the show begin!!!

Roasted Tomato Relish

2011-10-28T14:33:00.001+10:00

We love tomatoes in our house. So much so that poppet managed to consume an entire punnet of cherry tomatoes in the seat of the trolley whilst this Mumma Bear was otherwise occupied with the "joy" that is grocery shopping heavily pregnant....with a toddler...on pension day!

I house them happily on our kitchen bench smug in the knowledge that I'm squeezing every last drop of deliciousness out of them as their perfume seems to pulsate from their swollen, almost bursting skins.

This has a minor disadvantage however. Alas, whenever I heave mon petit poppet up onto the bench to help with some culinary task I only need turn my head for a whisker and her Go, Go Gadget arms have plucked a tomato from it's resting place and she's merrily chomping into it. Sprung in the act she quickly returns the attacked fruit to it's vintage plate bed and grins a tomato seedy grin at me. Seconds later though she's back at it...but with a new tomato!! It's nothing for me to reach for a tomato and find five or six with giant vampire style bites out of them.

So when faced with such a dilemma this very morn whilst concocting my favourite pregnancy brekkie du jour....avocado and tomato on toast with lime juice and sea salt... (Oh what a step up from the first trimester Kraft cheese spread AND butter piled high on a wafer thin slice of white toast brekkie!) some relish making was in order.

I had about half a kilo of tomatoes and they were cut into wedges, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper and roasted in a 160 degree oven for around an hour and a half. Their caramlised lusciousness was then plonked into a saucepan with 2 crushed garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar and left to bubble away on a low heat until it started to thicken.

Into some jars and titivated with some loitering old doilies and some festive-ish fabric and ribbon and this little Santa's helper (so far from little with 5 weeks til le bébé I'd be better off impersonating Santa himself!) is feeling a tad virtuous and dare I say it...organised

But being a greedy little elf one jar did manage to pop itself open and dollop generous mounds onto spiky vintage cheese for my lunch. Ho, ho, ho!

Grateful for....Lifeguards

2011-10-23T15:42:00.001+10:00

Yesterday we saw a young fellow plucked from the water and resuscitated back to life. How can something be so spine chillingly horrific yet so utterly amazing at the same time?

These men and women are magnificent! And for them I am so truly grateful.

Making Me Smile Today :)

2011-10-21T15:24:00.001+10:00

After the bazillionth reading of this book, mon petit poppet decided she'd try her hand at "bower" making...

Pondering just the right spot.....such careful selection of blue things....such thoughtful placement....

Now sit very quietly... and watch...and wait...to see if he comes!

Imagination is simply magic!

Ah....Gorgeous Serendipity!!

2011-10-17T15:27:00.004+10:00

I just adore when the crafty and thrifty fairies get together for a chai latte and a sliver of cake or two and have a chat about how they'd love to bestow a well meaning crafty Mumma out there in "giant" world with a project that is so serendipitous it makes one squeal with delight. Better yet, I love when they choose me!! Such was my op shoppy find this week and the resulting bags of loveliness that materialised after mere moments zipping away on Jan.

Mon petit poppet has rather a penchant for anything of the fauna variety (well...flora as well but that's another story) and hence her collection of play animals is that to rival Noah's wee ark party. Her menagerie has shacked up quite happily albeit a tad squished in a vintage basket with this play mat but it was coming quite apparent that the wild animals, the dinosaurs, the insects and the farm animals just were not getting along. Time to play zoo keeper and intervene.

Enter those gorgeous glittery gals intent on making my day and behold folded neatly in one little pile in one little op shop an insect pillowcase, a farm animal pillowcase and a dinosaur bed sheet. The clouds parted and sun shone down upon the little shelf and I swear I heard a tinkling of teensy bells!!

A little stamped piece of calico roughly zigzagged onto the front and a whisker of ribbon folded in half and attached in the middle at the back and my girl's creatures (of EVERY walk of life!) are suitably housed.

She delights in "reading" the bags using the piccies as clues as she chooses which friends will come out and play today. And me...well I'm wondering if I could pull off red heels and a jaunty black hat (minus the antennae bien sur!) as my shape is remarkably similar to this petit ladybird lady!

Our Creative Space

2011-10-06T20:14:00.017+10:00

There is a trés dapper fellow taking up residence in our little vegie patch! May I introduce Happy Happy (aptly named by mon petit poppet) in all his jovial glory.

With the help of our beloved Nana we set to work bringing a pile of op shopped kiddies clothes, a roughly sewn calico bag (curved at the top) and a giant bale of straw into our very own Werzel Gummidge.

Firstly we pulled his jeans over the wooden stake frame and secured the bottoms with string followed by a thorough stuffing with straw. Then a red ribbon belt to keep him from losing his trousers! Happy Happy is after all a gentleman.

Next, his prerequisite flannelette shirt and still more stuffing....

By this stage poppet could see him coming to life and her excitement was palpable!

A rather creepy looking head followed...that is...until my little Van Gogh adorned him with his handsome features. ( I must admit to adding a whisker of extra paint to his mouth when poppet wasn't looking as the "grimace" she'd painted on was reminiscent of a bad 80's horror movie and quite frankly...gave me the heebie jeebies!)

A jaunty red bandanna from a scrap of spotty fabric and he was ready to take on the world....or the possums and pesky turkeys in this instance.

And as my girl has taken to naming everything doubly....Happy Happy came about! He's rather a gentile fellow and rather than "scaring" away the sneaky vegie patch prowlers..he merely asks them politely to move on their way. So far so good Happy Happy!

I do declare that it is a veritable smorgasbord of crafty goodness over here this week.

Living the Good Life

2011-10-03T08:41:00.012+10:00

Bunkering down inside feeling a wee bit like Dorothy in her sparkly red shoes as the wind outside shook the windows sending shivers down my spine......a spot of embroidery for a little kitchen-y project....

Baking this choccie cake with fresh cream and blueberries....

for this man as he braved the winds and worked all weekend demolishing a very shoddy retaining wall half the length of our yard....and then rebuilding it...

Admiring "old school" flowers...

Finally hanging some vintagey bunting made too long ago to remember... looking at it from time to time...smiling often...

Love, love, loving my little piece of heaven's crafty space which has been constantly overflowing with cut up bits of paper since Mumma bought her some poppet friendly scissors and she found her groove with cutting with them....

Injecting small pops of colour into our world....

Taming a cantankerous sciatic nerve by sitting Victorian lady straight whilst starting a little vest for mon petit poppet....for next Winter!....

Picking up, flicking through, curling up with one or all of these delicious new books (have had oodles of custom and wholesale orders for mon petit poppet so thought I might indulge myself a wee bit!) ....more often than not putting all the mentioned projects on hold to stare at my giant belly squirming and wriggling...so surreal.... and absolutely magic!

My Creative Space

2011-09-22T15:27:00.000+10:00

A splendiferous pile of snippety scraps....

Some whirring away on Jan in the kind of haphazard way that makes my heart sing...

Making some yummy sandwiches by layering with some quilt batting and trusty old calico...

Trotting off to a free motion class at this little slice of heaven and whiling many an hour away making e's, vines and squiggles.....concentration tongue protruding no doubt!.....

Cutting rainbow loveliness into circles and squares....adding lolly hued bias binding....

Being seriously chuffed at my little collection of pot holders and coasters and marvelling at how
with the flick of a glittery wand scraps can be turned from a pumpkin into a coach....Bibbity-Bobbity-Boo!

Ogling all these delicious projects and pondering whether I really need to sleep every night.

Hankies for my B!

2011-09-21T17:29:00.002+10:00

I abhor tissues! I detest how they lie about the house all manky and germ ridden . Or scrunched in a festering ball in the bottom of your pocket waiting to take a spin around the washing machine emblazoning all and sundry (usually attire of the darker variety) with Monet white speckles. ...

Hankies...especially gorgeous vintagey ones however, couldn't be lovelier.

How could I resist these vintage, still in the box beauties for my own little B!

For the most gorgeous tale of op shopping delight pop over to my quilting teacher extrodinaire's lovely blog.

Belated "Dadda's" Day

2011-09-20T15:43:00.000+10:00

Papa bears are just so easily pleased aren't they?! Fondue on Dadda's Day Eve at our fave Swiss Restaurant....

Our traditional "Paris" brekkie the next morn (This spread greeted us each morning on the basement floor of our quaint little hotel on our honeymoon in Paris...and again years later when we stayed there again...oh the lure of the "laughing cow" cheese!)

And a wee Soulemama inspired, poppet made bookmark. One for Dadda...one for Poppy...and one for Grandfather (or Ajafather as mon bébé calls him).

Piccies drawn on A3 paper (she is only 2 and a half after all) where whisked off to the local newsagency to be reduced to a more manageable size. Bijou deliberating over just the right shade of embroidery floss in the cotton aisle at Spotlight...an adventure in itself!! Mumma bear whiling away a good week of poppet day time sleeps to get them done in time.

My girl and I choosing matching vintage fabrics and sewing them together on Jan. Again another adventure that required a bucket load of patience and the odd time out...for me, that is!

Ajafather simply had to have spikey hair....don't you love those eyes?!!!

And Poppy's giving us a wave...

As for Dadda...well those little lines above his head... who knows what they are...but let me tell you mon petit poppet insisted they be there!

I'd like to think perhaps they're little halos!

It's the Little Things

2011-09-19T19:06:00.005+10:00

A whisker of oil....a sprinkling of popping corn....a glass lidded wok to watch the magic unfold...

"The kernels are all rolled up like a ball, Mumma"....

"Then....pop...Pop....POP!"

Such a simple (and healthy) yet deceptively moreish afternoon treat. And it doesn't matter how many times we do it, there are always jumps and squeals of excitement as that first golden bead erupts and morphs into a fluffy white cloud.

It really is the simple things.

A King Amongst Men

2011-09-12T14:11:00.005+10:00

I have been a virtual infection magnet the last few weeks attracting all and sundry to my poor suffering body. There was the sore throat that made medieval surgery with nought but the aid of a stick to bite on for pain relief seem like a walk in le Bois de Bologne! Then there was the hacking cough that would win me the prize ribbon hands down in a wino impersonating competition.

And because I'm a greedy lass I couldn't refuse the delightful conjunctivitis infection that glued not one but both of my eyes together. But the cherry on the top was an ear infection that has rendered me quite deaf in one ear for the time being. I'm such a generous soul playing host to all these viral house fellows aren't I?!

But through it all....he was there...he was always there! He has cooked, cleaned, washed, bathed, dressed, fed and both mothered and fathered our babe (and even me on occasion when I stepped wearily out of the shower and was simply too tired to dry myself), put her to bed....put me to bed! Made me gorgeous chicken soups and banana breads....and kept my spirits up. He has gently but firmly convinced me I am doing too much and need to rest more. For this and all his other magic I am so grateful.

My soul buddy....I love you to Andromeda and back a bazillion times!
You are a king amongst men!

Washing Powder

2011-09-02T13:59:00.008+10:00

We have been making our own washing powder for quite some time and have always had great results. The recipe however was a tad time consuming and at a stage of my life where I'll forgo basically anything (not food!!) for a Nanna nap, finely grating a bar and a half of soap is sooooo not happening!

But when I unearthed this miraculous book of homey wisdom in the local library I found a new recipe that takes literally minutes to make. I've since purchased the book and continue to read and re-read it for household recipes and inspiration.

You simply chuck the ingredients in the food processor and give it an almighty whizz. What you create is a lovely fragrant and bubba skin and "Flipper" (remember him?) friendly laundry powder that works a treat.

I've trebled the original recipe to save even more time for kipping. "Yay!" says my pillow!

Wendyl Nissen's Laundry Powder
3 cups washing soda (try to get the soda not the crystals...I just got mine from Woolies!)

3 cups baking soda (bicarb soda)

180ml liquid castille soap

6 ml lavender essential oil (or whatever takes your fancy)

If you're using washing crystals, give them a good whizz first on their own to reduce the lumpy crystals as much as you can.

Slowly drizzle in the castille soap while whizzing. Add the baking soda and lavender oil and continue to process. It should be "soap powder" like or perhaps a bit more clay like if you use the crystals.

Use 1 tablespoon for an average load and double for a big load. Because it's low on the froth it's safe for me to use in my front loader.

Happy washing...and happy weekending!

My Creative Space - The Sock Saga!

2011-09-01T15:05:00.007+10:00

Twas a blustery Winter's eve when a crafty lass blossoming with a swollen belly full of baby embarked on a mission...a rather ridiculous one in hindsight...but a mission nonetheless. Her desire fueled by hope, curiosity and not a too shy amount of cockiness was to make socks!

A vintage basket overflowing with pointy needles, sock yarn and a cryptic pattern followed and hence began the saga of the socks. Her road was peppered with many an obstacle...knitting in the round for starters, working with four pointy little sticks akin to juggling dry spaghetti, picking up stitches, etc.... And although her challenges were vast, her perseverance and spirit remained. After many a night tucked up on her lounge she completed the first sock!!

With triumph she declared to her lovely Hubby that she had finished. And with the next breath and shoulders slumped she made the realisation that she had to do it all over again.

One trip to a country getaway and many a late night later she was nearing completion of her sock journey when tragedy struck. Popping out of the room whilst her babe played quietly on the floor she returned to discover her pointy tools plucked from her meticulously knitted stitches and poking voodoo doll like from her ball of yarn. "I made an echidna!" chortled her wee poppet!!! Stitches picked up, disaster abated...many a deep breath taken!

Finally with a final flick of a yarn needle and a ceremonious snip of the scissors her quest was over. She had made socks! The weather was now turning from chilly to balmy but the lass endured those socks...sweaty, clammy feet and all...day and night!

For other crafty treats let's take a peek here.

Postscript: Last night the lass peered down to discover a hole in the region of her big toe with all those stitches unravelling. With a venemous, "Bugger!" she did what she does best. She turned the now loathed wooly creation inside out, revved up her trusty sewing pal Jan and stiched the life out of that toe. She is only human after all!!!

It's the Little Things

2011-08-31T19:07:00.012+10:00

Armed with nought but a bowl of walnuts courtesy of the local fruit and veg shop, an old paver and a wee little hammer we set to work....

The early morning air still befriending Winter and the lawn shiny and fluorescent green from yesterday's rain..

The patience...the care...the gentle tap-tap-tapping. Once shown how to do something this girl simply must do everything by herself! Mmm....patience is wearing thin..."Mumma, I need anudder hammer....a BIG hammer!"

Again with the tap-tap-tapping...perhaps a little more sprightly than before...

And finally....

THE most creamy and delectable walnuts I've ever had! What a gorgeous way to while away the last morning of Winter. It really is the little things :)

Lemon Butter

2011-08-30T18:57:00.007+10:00

With a fruit bowl overflowing with these gnarly orbs and the skies turning all shades of grey today, I had the hankering to make lemon butter.

I've tried many a recipe for lemon butter and have been know to try to sweet talk those old dears manning the cake stall at fêtes into divulging their secrets but this one has come up trumps.

Firstly it doesn't use cornflour like some and hence for a bull a gate kind of gal like me there is far less chance of lumpiness.

And secondly, it uses 4 egg yolks. Now I'm rather partial to a pavlova and since my Mumma Bear's recipe uses 4 egg whites I always have 4 rather lonesome looking egg yolks peering at me in the fridge like big yellow monster eyes for a few days til I reluctantly have to bin them...and yes, I'm one of those kooky people (read: bordering on lunacy!) who talks to inanimate objects, so a "sorry yolkies!" may be heard at such times in my kitchen.

I doubled the mixture to make three full jars because...well, I'm a glutton! But if you just follow it as it is you'll get 1 large jar or two almost full smaller ones...and no doubt a happier waistline.

Lemon Butter

4 egg yolks

2/3 cup castor sugar

60g butter (cubed)

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

100ml lemon juice

Whisk eggs and sugar until well combined but not frothy.

Tip into a saucepan with butter, zest and juice.

Stirring constantly, bring to simmer over medium high heat.

Take off heat as soon as bubbles appear. Don't allow it to boil as it will curdle....and you will cry!

Pour warm mixture into hot sterilised jars and seal immediately.

Slather great dollops in hot buttered toast...spoon into wee little pastry shells and top with cream...drizzle over a cream laden pav and sprinkle with fresh berries.....eat from the jar with a spoon (perhaps only pregnant women can get away with that one!). Enjoy!

Living the Good Life

2011-08-29T15:45:00.015+10:00

With Spring peek-a-boo-ing herself we headed to the park for a romp in the sunshine....and icecream!

Whiled away the rainy spells with some last minute work on another baby play mat for some dear friends' new little lady...

Continued the struggle to keep up with our heaving vegie patch and all those gorgeous greens...

Smiled at mon petit poppet's carefully collected, arranged and placed centrepiece for our evening meal together....

Devoured this bacon and egg pie with oodles of those greens and a simple vinaigrette...

Watched his and her hands work together.....

...to turn this freshly harvested rhubarb....

...into this gorgeous crumble and home made custard.... ate copious amounts of said crumble and custard!

Indulged in a spot of crafting ....

..to make some cards using leaves and feathers found on our magical farm holiday...

Continued work on these monsters...ahem, beauties and finally saw the light at the end!!

Pondered what our native bees friends were up to as they spent all day swarming outside their hive....a new queen?...a hive invasion?...an internal war?....simply a frolic in the last rays of Winter sunshine?!

What memories did you make on the weekend?

My Creative Space

2011-08-26T15:27:00.009+10:00

A whisker of time ago......mmmm, make that a great big Harley Riding bikie beard of time ago!...I was working on this little man quilt.

When I first spied this gorgeous fabric at my favourite little nook of crafty loveliness I knew I had to have it.

It conjured up images of my dog eared Huck Finn book that I read time and time again as a little kipper (and believe me, I didn't cause such a heinous crime as dog earring a book...it was a flea market purchase and it was quite apparant the previous owner had rather loutish book habits!)

So when a gorgeous friend announced the arrival of her second little gentlemen I couldn't help but make a wee quilt or play mat for him to explore his world on.

The centre is a panel of fabric and I used contrasting fabrics as borders and then some cream quilting cotton embroidered with mini mushies. Finally, I made binding from that cute train print to complete it.

My quilting left quite a lot to be desired as I must confess I was a little slack when making my quilt sandwich. I tried to pin it on the floor and needless to say there were leg cramps ahoy and not the best smoothing and flattening effort that ever was. A giant belly will do that to you! But I made it with love and therefore I can't be anything less that chuffed with it!

It is ever so inspiring to trawl through all these wondrous creations each week. Come join me!

My Creative Space

2011-08-18T08:11:00.006+10:00

As a teacher of wee little ones my most treasured role was teaching them to read. To hand these wide eyed beauties the keys to unlock the magical world of literacy was a gift for me and I never ceased to get misty eyed when the light bulb lit up above their sponge like brains and they would look at me with amazement and say, "I can read!"

Constantly asked by parents in the early days of their poppet's schooling what they could be doing to help motor their babes along in the domain of 'A,B,C's" I would simply answer..."Read to them....everyday!"

Mon petit poppet has had a love affair with books since the day dot and as a word lover I couldn't be more chuffed. Countless hours have been whittled away with a stack of books beside me and an eager beaver asking, "Wead it adain please Mumma?" I have refused to enter the land of flashcards and formal introduction of letters with my girl and have gone to great lengths to avoid "teaching" her rather just immersing her in all that is the wonder of our language. It probably doesn't hurt that I can talk the leg off a chair either!

As a result she adores letters and even at her tender age can identify and verbally spell her name and voraciously points out the letters of her name on signs, buses, in books, on cans of food....the list is never ending. So to encourage this love of letters I made her a little set of her own. I drew some letters on A4 paper as pattern pieces and cut them out of some vintage fabric and scraps with pinking shears, and with the right side facing out I backed them with calico and stitched them together leaving a hole for stuffing. Then I just ran them back through Jan to close up the hole. I must admit that stuffing them was akin to pulling teeth but when I handed them to her and she promptly hunted out the letter G, "Grandfather ...Mumma?" I almost burst with joy!

One day in the not too distant future I'll hear those excited words again, "I can read!"....but this time the little angel speaking them will be mine.

Have so missed playing along with all these ever inspiring souls.

Slowing Down

2011-08-16T15:20:00.028+10:00

A week of tranquility...of adventure....of such fun!

Collecting "still warm" eggs every morning ...and cooking them for second breakfast... yolks the colour of sunshine!

Copious cups of tea and home baked delights (photo courtesy of mon petit poppet...struggled to get the camera off her...perhaps a budding photographer in the making)

Putting on my brave face whilst feeding some feathered friends.....and happily realising they ain't quite as scary as I once thought...o.k....so the goose and gander still gave me the heeby jeebies but I'm getting there!

Tending to the chickens, ducks and geese, goats, llamas and horses....marvelling at the work of farmers....adding fuel to the quitely burning embers of my dream to pack up life as we know it and come and join them

A spot of grooming for Miss Harley...

Before donning our riding helmet, saddling up and taking her for a trot around the paddock...
my girl looking so grown up my heart ached :(

Watching Stuart the farrier perform deluxe pedicures on all our equine pals....

Trying our very own horseshoe on for size...

Peaceful (and rather slow!) walks in the rainforest practising our whip bird calls...fossicking about the rock pools and sending leaf boats down the waterfalls...

Watching this beautiful man with this beautiful girl and being thankful for all the magic they bring to my world....

Melting marshmallows til they were crispy on the outside and gooey in the middle....knitting....having day sleeps when our girl slept....watching the fire.....slowing down.....bliss!

Off for a farm-y jaunt!

2011-08-09T09:19:00.003+10:00

Hoping to spy some of these little fellows at our farm stay this week. All is well in our little world but my blossoming belly has been keeping me away from my sewing machine, my computer and hence my lovely bloggy kindred spirits...but unfortunately has kept me close to the biscuit tin!
Looking forward to a relaxing week with nothing to do...but finish my other sock!!!!

♪ Animal crackers in my soup.. ♪

2011-07-27T20:31:00.009+10:00

I didn't quite comprehend how much this wriggly bump of mine is slowing me down until I realised I am posting about our weekend....on Wednesday night! I have always been one to go at lightening speed but finally feeling at home in this role of stay-home-Mumma I am learning to slow down....a wee bit anyway ;) Pancakes with natural yoghurt and stewed berries...yum!

A fresh batch of washing powder...trying a new recipe and so far loving the results...

And a trip to a gorgeous animal sanctuary for our nature loving poppet.

She could have spent all day here wandering amongst these sleepy creatures....delighting at their ear twitching, tummy scratching and hop..hop...hopping!

All aboard the log express! Isn't imagination such a magical thing. Always portable, costs nothing and can make fun out of anything...and melt the odd heart too.

Have been sorting (and making more trips to the Life Line bin than Hubby knows!) and de-cluttering.....missing my crafting though. Think I need a slow day tomorrow....just me, my girl and maybe a lunch time date with Jan. We haven't caught up for ages!

Living the Good Life

2011-07-18T15:34:00.012+10:00

Feeling a wee bit caged in this week, we heralded the arrival of the weekend with brunch at a favourite café and a much needed, soul replenishing potter around a favourite antique-y haunt....

Doing my very best not to fall for these puppy dog eyes! Thinking poppet really needs a vintage pyjama bag in the shape of the cutest canine.... hoping he'll still be there next time.

Sighing with pleasure as I soaked in all this gorgeousness. Hot choccies with marshmallows (note the plural!) and vintage china...ain't life grand!

The thrill of drinking from a water bubbler....

Making pizzas with Daddy....

Liberally sprinkling fresh spinach from the garden...her guzzling whole anchovies straight from the jar....me feeling that chill up my spine each time I think of her munching away in delight!

Finishing off a wee baby quilt for a dear friend's new little man.....

Avoiding eye contact with this lovely and being such a strong girl not even opening the package a sliver....

Putting these gals first. Repeating mantra..."I must finish the other sock, I must keep painting the chairs, I must finish the other sock, I must keep painting the chairs!"...

Shooing this crafty fellow out of our potato patch...and then briskly turning on my heel as he chased after me....coming to the long overdue conclusion that birds and I will never be kindred spirits!

Gorging on sticky buns late Sunday afternoon (their rising time took a wee bit longer than anticipated). Deciding that oodles of butter, sugar, cinnamon and a sweet bread dough washed down with milky tea can indeed comprise a well rounded evening meal?

What did you and your loves enjoy on the weekend?

My Creative Space - A Little Ray of Sunshine ♪

2011-07-14T19:32:00.012+10:00

♪ A little ray of sunshine...has come into the world. ♪

♪ A little ray of sunshine...in the shape of a girl. ♪

♪ She can make you feel good..she can make you feel that it's all worthwhile...only by her smile. ♪

This song was chosen for me by my own Papa bear when I was born and it has been the tune I've hummed over and over whilst stitching together the vintage sheet top for mon petit poppet's big girl bed quilt. I have heard it a million times and it never fails to make me smile..and get a wee bit misty eyed.

Much love to you my girl, and to my wonderful dad (who had a very similar moustache and beard combo at the time of my birth...trés chic!)

Creative magic at work here.

Living the Good Life

2011-07-11T20:46:00.013+10:00

Stacking this delicious old kitchen hutch with equally delicious old fabrics and bits and bobs of loveliness....

Replenishing our eco-friendly house cleaning kit....

Marveling at the wonder of steel wool and how with some gentle yet forceful scrubbing I willed this miraculous op shop bargain back from the corroded edges of death....

Pondering which of these Nana inspired treats to concoct first....

Strutting around proud as a peacock wearing my one completed sock...and casting on the second soon after before the desire to complete the pair abandons me altogether....

Zhooshing up an old wooden outdoor setting with a lick of paint in my favourite hue....

Making fuchsia pink berry smoothies with my bunny girl.... and getting lost in those eyes...

And relishing a perfect Devonshire tea made by my man....what a gem!

Hoping your weekend was a delightful one :)

A Market...and Some New Mademoiselles!

2011-07-08T20:17:00.006+10:00

I'm donning my Winter garb tomorrow and setting up shop at the Brisstyle Indie Designer Markets on Racecourse Road at Hamilton. I'd love for you to come and say hi if you're in the neighbourhood. There is always such an array of handmade magic and what with shopping up a storm and chugging down my fuel du jour..hot choccies, I often spend more than I make!

And who happened to pop into my stock bags...but these new pink versions of my mademoiselles. Perhaps not as showy as their red and navy cousins but chic nonetheless n'est pas?

Making me smile today....

2011-07-08T08:44:00.003+10:00

Freshly washed vintage serviettes blowing in the breeze in the Winter sunshine....reminding me of cosy dinners with my loves!

On a far less cheery note....is anyone else having trouble commenting?! I have some beloved blogs that I pop into every day but blogger won't let me comment (and I can't email them to tell them ...boo hoo!). It seems to be the ones with the comment box embedded into the post. Some lovelies have changed their comment box to a pop up menu and that seems to fix things every time. Thanks so much! Don't want to hassle you into changing but would hate to think you're missing out on lovely warm wishes! And we all love to share those :)

My Creative Space - A Tee pee

2011-07-07T13:56:00.009+10:00

I must admit I'm a wee bit embarrassed to share this post. Yes, the tee pee turned out lovely but the "give me a medal for the worst Mumma in the world" part is that it was made last October and has been sitting folded up in my craft cupboard awaiting some teensy (and I mean teensy!) finishing touches. Oh the shame!!!

This project was unearthed in the bowels of my craft cupboard as this "growing bigger by the minute" black duck (sorry, couldn't use little cause it just ain't true!) is in a nesting frenzy trying to empty our spare room for poppet . It's a larger room and perfect for a big sister. Come to think of it...it was perfect for a crafty space come office, come library, come place where I could sit in the afternoon sun and have a cuppa....sob, sob, sob!

So without any fanfare nor great unveilings I simply finished it off (the work of minutes I tell you!!) popped it up in the backyard and called mon petit poppet over to investigate. It didn't take her long before a tea party was being held in honor of a few celebrity friends.

Thanks to my Momle these dolls have been christened Meryl, Oprah and Goldie respectively i.e. Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey and Goldie Hawn! And you wonder where I get my hair brained ideas from.....

A cup of tea for you by dear friend "Me-wyl"....no problems!

Down the hatch old girl...insert slurping noises and contented sighing. Mmm...note to self, stop slurping mouthfuls of tea and following each one with a satisfied ahhhh!

For poppet's tee pee I used the pattern from the Crafty Minx book by Kellie Doust and some pretty vintagey style fabric from the abyss otherwise known as Spotlight.

For other I'm sure, "up to the minute" creative projects come and check out these wonders. I'm off to scoot away the Daddy long legs off some more U.F.Os lurking in the depths of my craft cupboard....and maybe slurp my way through a cup of tea or two...ahhhhh!

Going to Monty's

2011-07-06T14:56:00.001+10:00

One of mon petit poppet's favourite outings is to a restaurant..no surprises there considering this little munchkin has vacuum cleaner like tendencies when it comes to food. And on the top of her list is Montezuma's (or Monty's to us), a Mexican restaurant exploding with colour and taste sensations.

When asked what she was doing at her little table and chairs this morning as she sat Oliver (her teddy) and friends down she nonchalantly replied, "going to Monty's". How could I resist! Together we listed some menu items. Poppet suggested them, I wrote them down and then she drew a picture to help Oliver choose. We made tortillas by tracing around plates and cutting them out....

And then we played! Mmm what a delicious warm tortilla!!

Perhaps I'll fold it up like a burrito....

Some water for you Big teddy? Oliver, how is your enchilada?

And a top up after a little bit too much spicy cheese dip.

Such a simple, inexpensive game that amused my girl and I daresay me, for hours.

Perhaps we'll head out for curry tomorrow!

Mon petit poppet on facebook! Reee reee reee!!

2011-07-05T15:42:00.006+10:00

Image courtesy of the guardian.co.uk

It was a task I had long been putting off. Quite frankly it scared the bloomers off this technically inept lass! But if I had a dollar for everytime someone at a market asked if mon petit poppet was on facebook...well let's just say, right now I'd be swanning down the Rue du Cambon with a Chanel shopping bag in one hand and an Hermés one in the other. Markets shmarkets I'd be thinking to myself as I contemplated whether five macarons at Ladurée would be considered greedy.

Anyhoo, I did it! Mon petit poppet is officially on facebook. Pop in and say salut! I'd love to see you there. And for the record no it didn't induce Janet Leigh screams nor was terribly tricky ...with some help from this lovely girl. What a gem! Thanks a bunch Melinda x

Living the Good LIfe!

2011-07-03T20:17:00.014+10:00

Meandering around the local farmers' market to gather a rainbow of goodies...swiss brown mushies, ruby red strawberries and raspberries and heritage tomatoes in all knobbly shapes and sizes.....

Placing vases of snapdragons where they'll catch my eye from time to time...and make me smile often!....

Replenishing the herb garden as mon petit poppet has done her best locust impression and plucked them bare (all gets happily gobbled up with a "mmm, very tasty, bit strong, very tasty!") and adding pops of colours with these "little gems"....

and these!...

Mixing up and sipping my Momle's old honey and lemon drink to soothe sore throats....wiping many a nose....

Putting up my feet and enjoying le bébé wriggling. Love, love, loving this book!

Sighing with contentment as I delicately nibble (o.k....stuff in my mouth!) another rainbow hued macaron....

Filling these gorgeous little ladies with homey goodness....some nutty spelt flours, heady smelling cocoa...and then arranging...and re-arranging them in the kitchen....

Sewing this pile of sherbet coloured squares together for my girl's "big girl bed" quilt.

Wishing it could be the weekend everyday!

Making me smile today :)

2011-07-01T15:53:00.003+10:00

A serendipitous find whilst pottering around our local nursery today made my girl and I smile with delight!

My Creative Space - Wee Little Clothes

2011-06-24T14:51:00.011+10:00

This world has been blessed with the arrival of two new wee bubby girls! Welcome beautiful angels Nanette and Carmen!

Smock blouses in fabric as soft as a whisper and organic cotton long sleeve t's appliquéd with teensy butterflies and birds.

Easy to pop over delicate little heads and oh so soft for snuggling!

So lovely to be crafting again after a wee hiatus on the lounge! A list as long as my arm of all the heavenly Wintery things I'm itching to make.

Ah the delicious weekend is upon us...perhaps I'll snatch a moment or two to myself to work on one or two of them. Or perhaps fill my newly claimed vintage leadlight kitchen dresser destined to be my new craft cupboard. Calling all able bodied men to our house this weekend to lift her upstairs...she sure weighs a tonne!! And maybe bake another of these....I'll share with those men, I promise ;)

Enjoying browsing at all the crafty folk over here...come join me!

♪ Mr. Blue Bird's on my Egg Cup! ♪

2011-06-22T14:50:00.009+10:00

A huge heartfelt thank-you to all you lovelies who have sent warm wishes our way! Yes, the exciting project in the works for me involved the growing of eyebrows, wee little limbs and brain cells as opposed to a children's clothing empire. And life couldn't be grander!

After the queasy fog of the first trimester where changing from my pj pants to tracky pants was an effort of gargantuan proportions (thank-you sooo very much my cherished friends who forgave my late ...or even non existent replies to phone call, texts and the like....and dropped gorgeous casseroles off to nourish us!), these last few weeks have been all sunshiney!
Even a spot of op shopping was managed! Hello vintage world, what do you have for me today?!!

How could I possibly resist this wee little blue bird egg cup holder for mon petit poppet. You remember her "blue bird shol" phase? Well it hasn't waned and nor has her voracious appetite! Boiled organic free range eggs with yolks so yellow you need your sunnies on to look at them with fresh baguette and real butter was the lunch du jour. C'était parfait!!

And then there were four!

2011-06-19T13:48:00.007+10:00

We have known you for only 17 weeks but feel like we've known you forever! Mumma's felt you move so much earlier...and relishes each squirm and wriggle. Daddy pats you gently and smiles a contented smile.

We whisper to you often....and offer you bits of our lunch! We choose toys you'd like to play with and wrap our dollies up with such care in practise of your arrival.

We are feathering our nest for you. We are so delighted at the thought of sharing this brilliant world with you. We are filled with so much love for you ♥

Our Magic Playgroup

2011-06-15T14:22:00.013+10:00

Some time ago, Poppet and I discovered a magic world! Hidden under the guise of a Steiner Playgroup, we stumbled upon a serene and wondrous place. We begin our gorgeous morning once a week with a play in the outdoor sandpit and a spot of gardening for those who are keen (mon bébé is always at the head of the pack for this activity!) I always learn so much from the chats that are inspired by the magnificent garden beds!

Vicki (or the pied piper as I liken her to, such is her amazing gift with children!) then leads us in song and we then make our way down to the horse paddock armed with freshly cut grass ready to feed our hungry friends.

A slow meander through the lush property with time always allowed for little ones to have an impromptu swing....

hunt for fallen macadamias....

peer under large pumpkin vine leaves in search of Mr. Pumpkin.... and make our way back to the house for morning tea all the while spying little snippets of nature otherwise overlooked in our over- planned worlds. We slow down on Tuesdays and breathe more deeply....heaven!

We share fruit and homemade goodies and the Mummas are nurtured with fresh lemon balm and mint tea (herbs the wee kiddies picked on their garden wander) and delightful conversation. Some free imaginative play with scarves, Waldorf dolls, shells, wooden blocks made lovingly from fallen branches and logs....and some watercolour painting!

Then it's off to visit the chickens and give them rather a generous feed! A run to the giant lychee tree for some songs and climbing and then it's time to bid our farewells and head back to reality.

Such a gorgeous part of our week and one we both look forward to so very much. Thank you so very much Vicki for creating such an enriching experience for us!

The Weekend

2011-06-14T15:11:00.009+10:00

Still warm tea cake and mugs of steamy hot chocolate in the sun on the back deck to reward the toiler (he put up a brand new shed all on his lonesome)....

Harvesting oodles of New Zealand silver beet from the wee vegie patch.....

And turning it into scrummy filo pies!.....

Breathing new life into some gorgeous vintage wool blankets. A wash in heavenly smelling wool mix and a flap on the line in the sun left them smelling and feeling divine....time for new binding made from vintage sheet scraps to cover the weathered blanket stitch....

And straining my brain...and finger coordination with little double pointed needles.

We are so loving this Winter sunshine and slow weekends full of pottering!

The Garden

2011-06-12T20:51:00.003+10:00

A particularly chilly and rainy morning almost nearly curtailed our morning adventures to our local organic open air market and permaculture nursery. But we sturdy folk armed ourselves with a giant sunflower umbrella and soldiered on regardless. We're so very pleased we did.

Just as we reached home, as if by magic, the clouds opened up and the sun cast its glorious Winter rays upon us. We began to find homes for our new seedlings. Rainbow chard and beetroot....and some seed potatoes! I know how elated Hubby and I were when we harvested our first crop of potatoes. Each careful dig of the spade unearthed another nubbly nugget. I simply can not wait until I can see this wonder of nature again through my poppet's eyes.

Snow pea plants cradling drops of early morning rain...cups of tea on the grass surveying our hard work...constant delighted (and delightful!) chatter from our little one....Bliss!

My Creative Space - The World of Crochet!

2011-06-09T13:22:00.007+10:00

My creative space this week is akin to a ride in the dentist's chair without pethadine! I excitedly...boldly....just plain stupidly entered the world or crochet a few Tuesday nights ago as I began a wee course to learn this art.

Armed with my Grandyma's old metal hooks it was clear from the beginning that this was definitely not going to be a craft I could wing! Two hours later....the investment of a new crochet hook that I can only describe as having training wheels....and countless swear words (in my head!) I produced this avant garde triangle wash cloth. Apparently I was a little too big for my boots and taught myself to decrease. Shame I didn't even realise!!

The next week saw a teensy glimmer of a silver lining in the dark cloud that had become my world of crochet and by the end...my first ever granny square! I was...and still am...super chuffed with this one.

And then in the comfort of my home no doubt egged on by my new found granny square confidence I had a crack at a little flower pattern. And lo and behold....a flower I made (albeit a rather wonky one!).

Tonight is the last night of the course and although I won't be returning home with a much coveted vintage inspired afghan rug for poppet's bed, I will hopefully have the blossomings of a new craft nestled safely into my brain.

To see what other little crafty souls have been up to, pop over here.

Choccie Afghan Biscuits

2011-06-08T15:07:00.007+10:00

As Jack Frost is beginning to show his icicle-y whiskers (yes, even in sunny Queensland!) we find ourselves retreating indoors after mornings in the gentle Winter sunshine.

Washing on the line, pottering in the vegie garden, train rides on the see saw to visit Daddy in the city for sushi (ah, imagination!)....

As soon as my babe's head hits the pillow for her afternoon kip, the kettle is on. My chilly hands yearn to cradle a mug of steamy tea (no dainty little cup is going to cut it!). And my taste buds want chocolate! Crispy, decadent afghan biscuits are just the ticket for overcast, snugly days.

Afghan Biscuits (courtesy of one of my fave cook books, Frankie magazine's Afternoon Tea)
Mixture:

200g softened butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups plain flour

1/4 cup cocoa (I put more because I'm greedy!)

2 cups cornflakes

1 cup walnuts, crushed

Icing:

1 block dark or cooking chocolate

walnut halves

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Sift in flour and cocoa, and mix. Fold in the cornflakes and crushed walnut pieces until just mixed.

Line a baking tray with baking paper. Spoon mounds (as big or small as you like) onto tray. I squished mine into wonky balls first and then flattened a little. Bake for about 15 minutes until just set. Try not to dry them out too much, as it's already a crumbly biscuit.

When the bickies have cooled , ice each on with a generous dollop of chocolate and top with a walnut half.

Virtuously pop one or two on a plate to have with a cuppa.....and then tiptoe back to the tin for another few when you've gobbled them up!

To market, to market....

2011-06-03T14:07:00.003+10:00

Tsk, tsk, tsk! I've been such a naughty (read: lazy) blogger of late. I've been sewing up a storm for the Racecourse Road Carnival on Sunday and Mr. Weather Man is predicting a glorious sunshiney day! I can't wait to set up shop with the beautiful and ever talented Melinda of moose and bird and indulge in a day of cups of tea, chats with a lovely friend I hardly get to see....and lots of sales! We'd love to see you there.

P.S. Promise I'll be a better blogger in the coming weeks.... there's something big in the works for mon petit poppet and I can't wait to share!

Grateful for...being able to laugh at myself!

2011-05-21T20:00:00.008+10:00

Many dewy morns ago I, giddy with anticipation told you (o.k. gushed...excessively!) about poppet's new bed and how Hubby and I planned to transform it into a sleeping chariot fit for any princess. Well there was much toiling...and quite a bit of grumbling....and then some more toiling... And finally every minuscule flake of the old paint and rust was gone. Then with careful and deliberate strokes I painted each curlicue, each swirl, each sconce until Bijou's bed head and end gleamed like new. Twas the night before the grand unveiling as Hubby set about putting the two restored puzzle pieces together with a frame that a fly was detected in the ointment.

The frame was too short...and too narrow. Could this gorgeous bed that must have been over a hundred years old...could it possibly be...a king single??!!! There were accusations, "hands on hips" huffy breaths, possibly even foot stamping (I know...trés childish!) from both parties. Then silence. Surely we'd noted the bed's measurements, surely when we ordered the brand spanking new mattress that had arrived wrapped in plastic earlier that week, we'd considered it's dimensions.

Tiptoeing into our babe's room (it's far from the size of a suite at the Ritz!) we tentatively measured where this gargantuan bed was going to go. Well, if poppet had a cat..and if we let her perform such acts on animals...she simply would not be able to swing it! The finality hit us...the bed was too big!!!

The wound was raw for a day or two but was eased by the arrival of a delicate little turned wooden bed in ivory (an eBay bargain for $10!!!) made by some one's loving grand papa when they were small. That and the thought that only aristocracy could own such a "king single" way back when!

And now when we spy the gorgeous bed tucked safely under the house for when our angel (and hopefully our house) grows a little...well Hubby and I can laugh at ourselves and at how utterly stupid we were this particular occasion. Sometimes every now and again we all need a good humbling to stop us taking ourselves too seriously....and maybe just to give our blogging friends a wee giggle ;)

Thanks to this lovely lass for encouraging us to share what we're grateful for. The list is endless!

My Creative Space - The Dirty "P" Word

2011-05-20T19:52:00.011+10:00

Before you commend me for my crafty diligence at preparing for the upcoming Mathilda's market...think again. The above piccie depicts what my creative space should look like this week what with stock to prepare but I've got a hefty dose of that rogue illness that seems to strike just when you need your "get up and go". That's right my lovelies...I'm suffering from a severe case of procrastination.

Instead of hammering along on trusty old Jan I'm eyeballing luscious new winter projects promising new skills, a snugly poppet .....and quite probably more than one or two tantrums (from me that is!)

I'm performing delicate eye surgery on a beloved friend. She is so loved that her blue peepers have been picked at religiously whilst lulling mon bébé to slumber.

Then there's the organising of the shameful disaster that is my embroidery thread. Who has time for stock sewing when there's perfectly important and utterly pedantic tidying to be done?

And what is a girl to do when there's nothing left but to set up shop and sew stock? Start a brand new quilt for her Momle, that's what! And no...it's not a lap size.

A bazillion crafty folk are showing off their hard work this week over here. I'd best head down, bottom up and sew the night away in preparation for the next Mathilda's. On the other hand, I do declare that the ironing pile is getting a bit tall and leany.

We Play - Instruments

2011-05-17T18:43:00.009+10:00

A lovely visit a little while ago to a new little friend's house inspired us to make our very own shaker!

We armed ourselves with two paper plates, crayons, paint and cotton buds and a whole lotta imagination....

Some stapling from Mumma and some very careful filling with dry pasta....

Maestro do you have you baton poised in the ready? May the music commence!!!

With some pots and pans and some favourite instruments from her box of goodies a cacophony of delightful sound was created. Took us all afternoon and both of us had a whale of a time!

I'm "playing" with all these lovely Mumma's over here.

Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice.....

2011-05-09T14:29:00.006+10:00

It was quite uncanny that mon petit poppet chose to make these Sugar and Spice biscuits for our weekly baking jaunt as she has been far from "all things nice" the last few weeks! Now before you howl in horror at me over the "butter wouldn't melt in her mouth" cherub of a child, let me announce that the Mr. Terrible Two's has arrived in this humble abode and has refused to leave as unwanted guests tend to.

She is still so incredibly loving, creative, chilled out, funny and full of life ...she's just testing the waters....often! Patience has become a whole new level of virtue and consistency and following through has become the order of the day. Oh how I long for those swaddled in muslin days where she'd smile up at me from the confines of her cot....even just for a few hours.

But then I find myself wondering. Would I be concerned if my gorgeous little wisp of a creature was docile, demure and always obliging. If she never challenged the way things work, rebelled against the norms and asserted her individuality and independence. And after a moment of hesitation I'd have to resolutely answer, no! Girls were once raised to be sugar and spice and all things nice and then were promptly trampled on by their masculine peers and further down the track, husbands and colleagues.

Although I don't want my girl to be a tear-about crazy child and I'm far from letting her get away with blue murder, I do want to foster in her some sense of power, encourage her ability to affect change, to negotiate , make choices and to (when appropriate) say, "No". I want her to be free and individual, independent and strong. Oh but balancing this rickety old see saw ain't gonna be easy!

So here's to you my honey bee....sugar and spice and all things nice (well most of the time) in my eyes. May you change the world!.....

And me, well I'm packing Mr.Terrible Two's bags and sending him on his way with a handful of these bikkies. On your bike....and don't come back!

Sugar and Spice Biscuits

125g butter

1 half a teaspoon vanilla

1 third of a cup of raw sugar

1 egg

2 tablespoons of wheatgerm

1 cup wholemeal plain flour

2 tablespoons, wholemeal self raising flour

1 third of a cup raw sugar, extra

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Beat butter and vanilla until creamy, add sugar, beat well. Add egg, beat only until combined, stit in wheatgerm. Stir in sifted flours. Roll mixture into small balls, toss in combined extra suagr and cinnamon. Place on lightly greased oven trays, press down lightly with a fork. Bake in a moderate oven for 10 minutes; cool on wire rack. Make sabout 35.

Fancy Pants...when is recycling wrong?

2011-05-08T20:48:00.010+10:00

I have a wee confession to make. Many silvery moons ago when I was a prep teacher I accidentally borrowed....,o.k. stole this man's shirt from the kiddies dress ups. Am I just the worst person ever?!!!! Now I have never stolen anything in my life. Honestly not a thing...that is until this shirt.

O.K. for what it's worth here's my logic. A: They had oodles of clothes (many donated by me I might add from numerous and often costly visits to op shops....am I redeeming myself a little?). B: I used it one day as a paint shirt when some little munchkin had absconded with my apron and took it home to be washed. And C: It looked trés fab with the collar up á la Audrey Hepburn and cinched in at the waist with a funky belt!!! Ah fickle fashion!

But what a stayer this number has been. It's been carted out year after year , makes friends so well with newer items and always makes me feel polished and funky....albeit a wee bit guilty.

And this Autumn has been no exception. Yank on my s & b black rats, and some fetching shoes and this kleptomaniac is feeling fine!

I hope you had a gorgeous Mumma's day and were indulged with heartfelt handmade burnt toast and cold tea and showered with glorious poppet love. Me...I had a day of magic with my loves. A new cookbook, some choccies and a shirt. New.....from a shop! Ha!!

Leggings: sass and bide

Booties: Sportsgirl

Belt: Sportsgirl

Shirt: Well we know the sordid tale here!

Check out what this classy gal is frocking up in today!

Grateful for....Spontaneity

2011-05-07T19:24:00.006+10:00

A morning of pottering! Round the shops (cinnamon donuts included!)....pottering through the local oppies unearthing treasures aplenty....pottering into a delightful yarn shop and then my favourite quilting shop...

Big, big sleep for my girl in her big girl bed. Hubby had a well earned snooze at my feet while I dusted off the sequel to my beloved Anne and did a spot of lounge crafting.

Spur of the moment pikelet making for afternoon tea. Pretty tablecloth, delicate china and silver teapot for an impromptu tea party with my lovelies.

Nothing planned....nothing overly organised....spontaneous.....heaven!

I'm joining in over at this lovely little spot of the world.

My Creative Space - Tissue Cosies

2011-05-06T14:02:00.007+10:00

I'm a cryer. Always have, always will be. Doesn't take much at all for me to feel that familiar sting in the eyes and for the waterworks to commence. I cry when others cry, when others are being brave and trying not to cry, I cry at happy things like old folks holding hands and sad things like hardly anyone turning up to someone's party. Oh my, the lip is quivering as I type.

This week I've been busy finishing off a few wee thank-you pressies for some delightful souls (hopefully not quite as emotional as me!). With a few vintage sheets, some embroidery thread and some Grand Prix driving on old Jan I whipped up quite a few little tissue holders. I must admit some are a little wonky than others but when you're nose is dripping like a tap during a replay of Steel Magnolias or Beaches are you really going to care? I think not.

But my all time bawl along movie would have to Anne of Green Gables. When Mathew buys her the sleeves with the "puffiest puffs in the whole world".....when Marilla and Mathew say goodbye to her at the train station.....when Mathew dies (oh there's some serious sobbing here!!!)....the list goes on.

And who am I kidding....as IF I only had one piece of slice!!! Grab this easy peasy yet to die for recipe over at this gorgeous gal's blog.

For other crafty and quite probably far less weepy souls pop into this lovely lady's place. I'll make you a cuppa and we could share a piece of Bren's slice...or three :)

Grateful for....Nature!

2011-04-30T13:54:00.007+10:00

We have been waking up to rain falling on our tin roof more often than not lately. Heaven! It has however, taken nearly three years away from the classroom to actually enjoy hearing this noise on an early morn as opposed to causing me to sit bolt upright at 5:30 am declaring "OH NO! Wet lunch today!!!" to all and sundry. Now the teachers out there will understand me perfectly, But for the others...picture rained in (read: loopy loo!) children from all the prep classes (last count...about 70!) eating their lunch in the undercover area and spending ALL day inside without a chance to let off steam while their frazzled teachers take turns for a wee break....mmm.....let me tell you, it ain't pretty!!

Yesterday's rainy morning granted us another lovely start to our day with THE biggest slug leaving his silvery trail along our path. Now poppet is only two but she has a decent set of hooves on her so hopefully this gives you some sort of idea of how big this beauty was.

Ah to live the slow paced life of a slug!

I finally joining in with this lovely lady again after what seems ages! So grateful to have such a lovely blogger to let me shout out about my gratefulness!!!

My Creative Space - A Mountain of Washers!

2011-04-29T14:49:00.011+10:00

Well mon petit fille and I are finally home! Yes, the bathroom renos continue...a little slower now that Hubby is back at work...but continuing nonetheless. And yes, we are still bathing in a large plastic crate (I try to imagine it is a vast copper urn and I am washing my milky white skin as a maid pours china jug after china jug of steaming water into it á la a Victorian lady...actually it's Hubby topping up the hot water from the kitchen sink with a tupperware jug...and the crate is bright, bright blue....oh the humanity!). But we're nearly there!!!!

Neither grand nor terribly clever, I too have been whiling away every spare moment in preparation of the grand bathroom unveiling knitting up a bundle of washcloths. If you recall the disaster that was my first attempt back at knitting you may remember I decided that sticking to washers might be a way to learn how to walk before I learn to fly....

Well after a few garter stitch and stocking stitch affairs I pushed my knitting boundaries a little.

After a few times unravelling and starting again (o.k., many times!) I can now proudly say that I understand a wee bit more of the quirky code that knitters refer to as a pattern. There's the yf (bring the yarn to the front of your work), Sl1 (slip one stitch to the other needle), psso (pass a knitted stitch over the top of the next one)....and the code goes on!

My most "chuffiest" of creations was the wavy one. Due to the magic of the pattern, it started out straight and then before my very eyes with an elaborate combo of yf's, Sl1's and psso's the delicate wave emerged.

And what new bathroom would be complete without it's own little slice of Paris. C'est Parfait!

I found all the patterns online using free washcloth knitting patterns as a google search and found simply oodles! Perhaps it's time to try another garment...insert ominous music here and shrieks of horror!!!

For other crafty lasses (and perhaps lads) hop, skip and jump over here.

The Bathroom - Part One

2011-04-22T15:57:00.019+10:00

I'd love to be able to say that I've been gaily parading dans la Tuileries garden in my beloved Paris as the reason for my blogging absence of late but alas my excuse is far less romantic!

Meet my bathroom! Ain't she grand?!

Complete with asbestos walls, rusty taps and plug holes, a too short terrazzo floor that prompted me to paint a safety strip in yellow craft paint when I took a trip and nearly ended up head first in the loo. But most importantly...the old man B.O. smell that permeated the room on damp days that no amount of vinegar, pine-o-clean...or bleach (heaven forbid!) could abate!!

And the gaping hole where a decrepit old chipboard linen cupboard once stood filled with a gleaming frameless shower screen wrapped in plastic (found for a song in the weekend shopper) taunting me for a good year. Ah such a haven!!!!

But not for long. My "sanctuary" is being overhauled by my very own man of steel! Hubby has taken a few weeks off work and is single handedly renovating this monstrosity whilst poppet and I are staying with Momle and Falof. We have done all the renos so far in this house together so it's been trés hard to leave him on his own. But oh the progress...!!

Goodbye manky vanity...and dry reach inducing toilet!

And so long asbestos walls (and the man is a safety freak so don't fret) and what turned out to be a cast iron bath...that he removed on his own!

Be gone dated old terrazzo floor whose shine abandoned you somewhere in the sixties.

Welcome new plumbing and wall sheeting ...yes he did it all himself!

Bonjour to a new bath frame courteous of my hero.

Oh how do you do gleaming new bath?

It's so lovely to see you Mr. Waterproofing.

Please come in and make yourself at home gorgeous new floor tiles...

and gleaming white wall tiles!

I've popped in today sans my girl to visit this star of a man and make him some patty cakes and caramel slice to keep his spirits...and sugar levels up. He has done every drop of this reno on his own and I couldn't be more proud of him and awe struck at what he can take his hands to. I have to take off my hat, beanie, beret, mouldy old shower cap, sombrero etc. etc. to his AMAZING skill. But more than that...his perseverance!

You are an absolute champion my love. Merçi a million times over for making us a new bathroom.....bring on that rubber ducky!!!

My Creative Space - A Little Man's Trousers

2011-04-08T14:04:00.009+10:00

A dear friend of mine recently had her first child...a gorgeous little man! The glowing Mumma and her adoring hubby were over the moon with the arrival of their own little gentleman albeit a little surprised as girls reign supreme in both their families.

It got me to thinking (oh dear...and we all know where that gets me!). Although I have four nephews I really haven't got the foggiest idea about baby boys...or little boys....or teen boys...or men come to think of it! Girls' parts I know, girls' moods I know, girls' ability to change their mind at the speed of light...I know.

My girlfriend shared this wonder (read: bewilderment) as she changed her little mister for the first time. Having changed oodles of babies (all girls though) in her time she gestured to the midwife to leave her as all would be fine. No sooner had she undone T's pants did his "little fire house" spray all those within range with what appeared to be litres of pee...including her gaping mouth! Needless to say she learnt quick smart to hold that nappy down on said appendage at all costs for future (and there will be many, many of these) nappy changing events.

Using a delightful and easy peasy lemon squeezy pattern from Anna Maria Horner's Handmade Beginnings, I made the little love a few pairs of reversible pants. I used some kokka froggies and trains and some cream and brown linen. It really is the most clever pattern!

And I'm sure the gorgeous Ms. Horner (as the mother of six!) is a deft hand at changing a nappy on any baby.

Let's go and have a look see over here to behold crafty utopia!!

Oh my!

2011-04-03T17:29:00.005+10:00

Taking a bazillion piccies today to load up my wee little shops. This one took my breath away. Mon bébé has grown overnight! Oh my! And just for the record...no, she's not posing in a hoighty toighty precocious child model way ...she's about to give her behind a good scratchin! Ah, my girl!!

My Creative Space - The Quilt

2011-03-31T14:21:00.011+10:00

Tis with a grey cloud circling above my head today that I finally unveil my first little quilt. Not because I'm not over the moon with it, or because I did a botch job! No, to say I'm a wee bit chuffed would be rather an understatement. But it's completion marks the end of my beginner's quilting class and for that I'm feeling a bit like Eeyore on one of his particularly melancholic days.

Every Wednesday night I would pack up my little vintage sewing basket, my gal pal Jan and this quilt at various stages of her metamorphoses and would trundle off to the dearest little quilting shop to learn this careful and historic art. It was a slice of "me" time that I so relished.

Women of all ages came together under one roof to learn, to inspire and be inspired, to natter about this and that...and then about that some more. To drink cups of tea and munch of bikkies. To teach, to support and encourage. And to watch magic unfold under their very fingers.

The ladies at The Quilters Corner are rare gems in the crafting world. With their nimble fingers and quick wits they immersed us in the world of quilting, teaching us all the knowledge we needed to be successful yet "keeping it real". There was no unpicking if something was a wee bit wonky nor aspirations to a perfect ideal. Just trés knowledgeable lovelies sharing their skills....and their passion. I loved every minute of it!

And as to whether Bijou loves it...this piccie speaks for itself.

While my babe sleeps I'm off to have a peek at all these creative folk.

The Quilters Corner is located in Keperra, Brisbane. For details on Beginner's classes (or any other wonderful class), or simply to browse the beautiful array of fabrics contact the lovely Liisa or Michelle on 3855 2222.

We Play - Bubbles!

2011-03-30T14:00:00.009+10:00

Recipe for oodles of fun Ingredients: One high chair, plastic tray on your dining room table, or plastic sheet on the floor, an old plastic bowl, washing up liquid and a smidgen of water. One rained in, going slightly batty due to lack of outside play, poppet. And most importantly, a healthy dose of "let it go" on Mumma's behalf as it will all dry up with the mop and a few tea towels. Method: Put a good squirt of washing up liquid into the old plastic bowl and add a teensy bit of water. Use your fingers (or a whisk) to froth it up into a wonderfully bubbly concoction. Hand over the mixture to your "rained in and slightly batty" child and let the fun begin. Add a few tools for drawing in the bubbles and marvel at the magic of a child learning through play.

Take deep breaths periodically as said child uses the bubbly bowl as a helmet and begins to slap the old tray spraying bubbles across the floor.

Wipe up bubbly mess, smile at your newly cleaned kitchen floor and ponder whether you could move the child to each room of the house to continue your cleaning...ahem...her fun!

Poppet and I are playing along over here.

Moo-oo-oo-ba!

2011-03-25T08:58:00.003+10:00

Well this fine morn we have packed ourselves up (and every imaginable piece of beach related paraphernalia imaginable) and are heading up the sunny coast for a few days at Mooloolaba....or Moo-oo-oo-ba as poppet calls it. Hubby is doing another one of his amazing triathlons and I have promised myself I won't weep like a baby when he passes by on each leg of his incredible journey. Ha! Who am I kidding!! I am just so very proud of him. Love you to the moon and back a bazillion times my love!!

And from Bijou, "Lub shoo too....go Daddy!!"

Introducing Monsieur le Creuset

2011-03-22T14:54:00.014+10:00

Have you ever wondered why the French are renowned for their culinary skills? Well besides the fact they use the freshest, seasonal produce and cook it simply to highlight it's lusciousness...they use the best tools they can afford. One simply would not find a"Sam's Warehouse or Crazy Clark's" item of cookware in any self respecting Gallic kitchen. Quelle Horreur!

Wooden chopping boards are seasoned, knives are sharpened regularly and pots and pans are of the highest quality to minimise cooking times and maximise flavour.

Well perhaps it was one too many thimblefuls of Côte du Rhône whilst watching Rick Stein's French Odyssey (no, we still haven't connected up to commercial television but my library card sure cops a beating with all the cooking DVDs I borrow from the library!) or maybe just an ample dash of joie de vivre but this little French cast iron beauty came home with me today.

Monsieur le Creuset weighs an absolute tonne and will no doubt out live me! He is also a very dashing sapphire blue. And as we speak, he is gently stewing lamb shanks in the oven permeating this little abode with a swoon worthy aroma (nearly scorched off my eyelashes as I lifted the lid for a taste of the heavenly jus!). Lashings of mash made with butter and a smidgen (o.k. a dollop!) of cream.

Vive la France!

Fancy Pants - Underwear as Outerwear?

2011-03-21T14:20:00.009+10:00

A recent spot of vintage shopping saw this heavenly little silk slip simply just pop itself into my bag! What was a girl to do?

Now confession time! I have rather a quirky habit of collecting gorgeous vintage slips for....well...who knows what for!

Most of them are too see through to do anything with besides parade around the house wearing fluffy high heeled mules drinking martinis. Well the high heeled slippers are never going to happen and martinis...well let's just say that been there...done that....still remember the suffering!!

But this little lacy one....well I just might get away with it teamed with a funky cuff care of my man (note...birds again!) , plaited leather belt and my absolute fave studded Sportsgirl sandals (I have almost worn away the sole...twice!). Mmmm.....not sure? Perhaps I need a slip under my slip....mon dieu!

I'm playing along with this gorgeous fashionista today.

Let's Play - Gluing!

2011-03-16T07:04:00.007+10:00

Nought but a few large sheets of paper, Mumma cut up "junk mail" and a glue stick!

Identifying colours, fruits and vegies, animals (and of course...their noises!)....

Not enough glue...too much glue....old words....new words...oh so many words!

Sticky fingers pressed together time after time just to see what is going to happen...

Quiet and busy chatter, such wonderful learning...such wonderful fun!

And Mumma even got to sit at the table with a hot cup of tea and a magazine as we chatted on like Nanna's comparing our pictures. Heaven!

I discovered this wonderful blog through this lovely lady so am playing along with We Play at Childhood 101 this week. Oh the ideas!!!!

My Creative Space - Down on the Farm!

2011-03-10T13:38:00.016+10:00

I've always had magical dreams of some day owning a small farm! After reading one too many Enid Blyton books and skipping off on adventures with the children of Willow Farm (obligatory gingham tablecloth tied to a pole...stuffed with food!), I fear my ideal patch of earth could be just a smidgen (o.k. ... a giant dollop!) rose coloured.

I picture black and white cows mooing contentedly on Sound of Music style rolling hills who meander eagerly to the lofty dairy for daily milking. Silver pails filled with frothy white goodness. Milk for brekkie, cream for tonight's pudding and just a little left over to churn into butter.

Row upon row of neatly cultivated vegetable patches snuggled under billowy piles of sugar cane mulch. And an orchard to rival any Ms. Green Gables could conjure up filled with blossoming apple trees, plums and peaches heaving with juice.

Then there would be the flower and herb garden filled with fragrant snap dragons, sweet peas and roses and herbs to make your nostrils twitch.

A few ponds for swans and their wee babies to frolic.

And a wallowy mud patch perfect for pigs to do what pigs do best.

Sounds idyllic doesn't it? And so far removed from reality that I do wonder whether I've been inhaling too many craft glue fumes unawares! To indulge my poppet's own burgeoning desire to live on the land I whipped up a little felt farm mat. It was trés easy peasy lemon squeezy and cost next to nothing. I used a large piece of green felt for the base and then machine stitched on scraps to make the ponds and mud wallows. A few square scraps pinched in the middle and stitched by hand made the flowers and a few teeny pieces and a bit of patience made the vegie garden. Add some wooden trees and fences and some Schleich animals et voila!

(For those unitiated to the world to toy animals. These ones are soooo life like. Let's just say there's no problem distinguishing the Mumma cow from the Daddy one!)

Now gallop off and have a sticky beak at all these creative folk. Giddy up!

Let's play.....washing up!

2011-03-07T15:11:00.009+10:00

Morning sun filtering through the blinds onto copper highlighted hair.... wee little feet perched on a delicious shabby chair....

the peaceful yet busy clinking of vintage cups and saucers..... the thorough washing...and re-washing of every nook and cranny...

Such careful placement of precious things....such splishy splashy fun with others....

...bubble beards for Mumma.....cheeky grins.....my girl simply LOVES to wash up!! Possibly the cheapest toy on the market.

Oh how I've missed you bloggy friends! The computer is having conniptions on the most grandest of scales!! It is time my dears to give it the old heave ho!!! Have my eye on an Apple Mac notebook but am just a teensy bit scared of learning a new scary "code". Stuck in a Microsoft rut....not me?!! Any tips from you lap top loving gals out there? What do you have, what's good? Oh the conundrum!!!

Nanna's Lemon Meringue Pie

2011-03-02T14:30:00.009+10:00

My great Nanna (Momle's Nanna) stood less that five foot and was a force to be reckoned with. She could make absolutely anything out of nothing and her culinary skills were a marvel. With Momle and Falof coming over for dinner I think a "Nanna Chapman Lemon Meringue Pie" is in order. And with a squillion of the most juicy bush lemons to use up... let's to it I say!!

Pastry:

1/2 cup self raising flour

3/4 cup plus one tablespoon plain flour ( don't ask me why!!!)

2 scant tablespoons caster sugar

120g cold butter, cut into pieces

1 large egg

Lemon Filling:

5 scant tablespoons cornflour

3/4 cup caster sugar

2/3 cup (and a bit of an extra squeeze) of lemon juice

230ml water

60g butter, cut into pieces

3 large egg yolks

Meringue:

3 large egg whites

3/4 cup caster sugar

To make the pastry, place flours, sugar and butter in a food processor and process on medium for about 20 seconds until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs (Nanna Chapman would have used her fingers!!) Add egg and process on medium until egg is incorporated and mixture clumps together. Form dough into a flattened round and pop in the fridge for at least an hour.

For lemon filling put cornflour, sugar, lemon juice and water in a medium saucepan. Stir until smooth. Place saucepan over medium-high heat and stir constantly until mixture reaches the boil. Reduce heat to low and continue stirring until mixture changes form cloudy to transparent and becomes thick and smooth. Remove saucepan from heat and vigorously stir in butter and egg yolks. Chill in fridge.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Roll out pastry on a lightly floured board to fir a 23cm pie dish. Press into dish. Blind bake pastry shell for 10 minutes. Remove rice/weights and cook for a further 10-15 minutes. When cool, spoon lemon filling in and spread evenly. Turn oven up to 200.

To make meringue, beat egg whites on high until soft peaks form. Add the sugar gradually beating well after each addition. Once all the sugar has been added keep beating until mixture is thick and glossy. Dollop meringue on top of lemon filling and spread to cover. Form peaks with a spoon to make it oh so glorious and snow capped mountain like.

Bake for about 7-10 minutes or until meringue is lightly coloured.

Eat ginormous chunks with double cream or ice cream...or both! And then gloat at your Nanna Chapman domestic skills!!!

Grateful for ....Friendship

2011-02-26T19:34:00.011+10:00

♪ Make new friends, but keep the old ♪ One is silver and the other gold. ♪ Tis this beautiful little song I used to teach my wee preppies that sums up all I feel about friends. Magic!

Old and dear ones who you can share braces, permed hair and spiky fringe, cringe worthy stories of your computer teacher and his "too high" pants where you laugh so much you nearly wee your pants!

Gentle new ones who are as much like kindred spirits as those you've known for years.

Those you share all your Mumma worries and gripes. The ones who you can happily chat away the night fuelled with crême brulée and laughter. Thanks so much lovely K.

Gorgeous creatures you've only ever shared heart to hearts with through email (and a most unexpected and ever so touching phone call on my birthday!) but you feel such a wonderful connection to.

And those lovely souls who generously give so much of themselves without ever asking anything in return. The beautiful Kylie of Mealy and I has become such a friend...and to think we met through our blogs!! She knitted this simply perfect little jacket for poppet's birthday and has offered to crochet a blanket for her big girl bed á la dottie angel. What a treasure! The girl also makes a mean choc chip bikkie!!

Ah friends! They make me smile a crinkly eyed smile!!

What are you grateful for this week? Absolutely oodles I'm sure!!!

My Creative Space

2011-02-24T07:07:00.012+10:00

Dr. Bijou rises at a respectable 7 am and wanders into the kitchen for a bowl of porridge, fresh berries and yogurt to sustain her for the gruelling day ahead.

She has a quick top to toe wash, changes out of her jim jams and says toodle-loo to her Mumma. First up, Miss Polly has a dolly who is sick, sick, sick! And she's called for Dr. Bijou to come quick, quick, quick! She grabs her bag and pops on her hat and she's out the door.

Later that morning, entering her surgery she takes a deep breath as she surveys the giant queue of patients waiting for her gentle bed side manner and medical expertise.

Lucky her receptionist has laid out her instruments. First cab off the ranks, one Ms. Rella. "Now what seems to be the problems Cinder?" queries doctor.

"Let's listen to your breathing, shall we?"....mmmmmm. Quizzical look from Cinders and head shaking from Dr. Bijou.

When Bijou began "playing doctors" we couldn't resist this little wooden set made from sustainable timbers. She absolutely loves it!! It came in a cardboard box which lasted all of a second so I'd been meaning to make a little bag for it. When I stumbled across this old calico bank bag in my mammoth clean out I remembered my "make do" motto for this year and promptly set about re-purposing it for Dr. Bijou. Trés simple!!

I'm off to have a lovely potter through all these creative blogs. Dr. Bijou on the other hand has the grim task of informing Ms. Cinder Rella that she indeed will not be going to the ball!!

Our thoughts are with you...

2011-02-22T18:51:00.002+10:00

To our gentle neighbours across the sea....our thoughts are with you on this tragic day.
We hope you and your loved ones are safe.

Flea Market Finds - The Bed Head

2011-02-21T18:15:00.008+10:00

Wispy tendrils of elegant steel...curls and whirls... curlicues and flowers....

Delicate details to carry my little angel safely and sweetly to the land of nod.

Room for generous piles of vintage Golden Books and warm Milo...billowy sheets to make voluminous mushrooms....

Some day, besties flicking through the pages of Dolly magazine and innocently and wide eyed pondering love and all its many mysteries.

Even in it's most raw state it it still a thing of such beauty to me. Lovingly tended to over many days this bed head will be transformed. Oh how I adore a diamond in the rough! Shine on!!

What delicious things have been re-discovered this week?

Fancy Pants - The Birds!!!!

2011-02-21T14:46:00.006+10:00

Many moons ago I chatted to you about my irrational fear of birds....and other wildlifey things! I mentioned a particular incident involving my loving big brother. A memory so vivid and horrendous I hardly feel I can unlock that vault. Who knows what will fly out! ;) Cue eerie music and flapping noises.

Once upon a time a beautiful princess (Ahem...I do have poetic license you know) and her parents set off on a weekend adventure. The princess's evil brother (O.K. a bit over the top but quite fitting for the story...as you soon will see) loved to torment the gentle and caring lass in which ever way he could. And what a conjurer of dark tricks he was!!

Upon reaching their grand destination (Wildlife Currumbin Bird Sanctuary) and handing over their gold to in turn receive small platters of Rainbow Lorikeet food (read: sloppy, honey-ish bread and water) they perched upon a wee log and waited. And waited...and waited. Where were the jaunty feathered friends who were proclaimed to land ever so lightly on ones platter and sup at the delicate nectar? Well, the evil brother overcome with boredom and general evil-ness decided to "bump" the good and kind princess showering her with the sweet smelling sludge.

As the King and Queen tried to mop at the princess's blouse with satiny kerchiefs a flock of lorikeets was spied. Without further ado....they descended, perching merrily upon the most delicious and most abundant feeder (i.e. the princess!!) and nibbled and clawed until their bellies were full and their hearts content. The end.

My skin still crawls with the thought! But believe it or not, this tale of woe was not enough to dampen my love of all things "birdie" in print, on fabric, homewares...the list goes on. Crazy huh!

Harem pants: Dotti

Owl shirt: Kenji

Woven booties: Sportsgirl

Silver bib necklace: Sportsgirl

I'm joining in with this lovely lass today.

Grateful for....Learning

2011-02-19T19:47:00.012+10:00

I've always been a reckless kinda crafter. Actually..more like a reckless kinda gal in general. On the positive side this allows for creative juices to flow like sparkly streams and results in crafty adventures of the most delicious kind.

On the other hand... my haphazard approach to sewing often ends with a crumpled heap of fabric in the corner scowling rudely at me as I hurl expletives at it! Oh so many a project has befallen this dreadful fate.

I know the old adage, "measure twice, cut once" but in my land of "what's the worst that could happen?!" I tend to cut before I look. And hence far too many beautiful fabrics have been butchered under my rather unskilled hands. Expletives aplenty!!!

So when it was time on this crafting adventure to give quilting a whirl (actually, the big girl bed is screaming for one!) I simply knew this wasn't one I was going to be able to wing. Enter the most perfect local quilt shop ,their bevvy of brilliant teachers and two and a half hours on a Wednesday night of me time sans the poppet!

So this week joining in with Maxabella Loves, I am ever so grateful for learning! From learning how to use a rotary cutter to cut fabric as opposed to giving myself an impromptu manicure....to learning to sew slower than a grand prix driver in order to actually make seams even (who woulda thought!!!). But most importantly...learning that I am perfectly flawed, just like every other wonderful human being out there. I will stuff things up...I will be useless at others....I will throw fabric...and expletives. But that's who I am! And I'm still learning just who that is.

And you know what I've learned so far? I kinda like me!!

Big Girl Pajamas

2011-02-15T19:13:00.009+10:00

Bijou's "Big Girl" bed arrived today! The time has finally come for our little one to embrace life without bars keeping her safe (i.e. trapping her in and therefore unable to roam this abode as she sees fit!) Now everyone told us that she would tell us when she was ready. Apparently she would climb out.....didn't happen, and this girl is one serious climber (we found her at the top of a six foot ladder at about 15 months!! ). Alternatively she would scream the house down at the realisation of her confinement and it's injustice! Well this really didn't befit a snuggle into the pillow kinda gal with her "non night...lub shoo Mumma, lub shoo Daddy" .

So Hubby and I finally had to make the call and kiss ta ta to the wee bubba bed and open the next chapter of this wonderful parenthood adventure. It's a bittersweet moment this one (along with most of the others watching something as precious as your child explore this world). My heart strings are being pulled like a tug-a-war at a school fête! Yay that she's reaching a new milestone but boo-hoo that my baby is growing up :(

Perhaps that's why Hubby and I chose a bed with a particularly long winded preparation. Yes, under our house is the most exquisite antique cast iron bed head and end in dire need of a makeover. Mon petit poppet may well be a teen before the final unveiling!!! So in the mean time two new sets of Mumma made "big girl" pajamas will have to suffice. Heavenly vintage sheets were lovingly snipped and stitched together using some shorts and a t-shirt as a guide to create cool and comfy PJ's for my girl. And little Miss Independence absolutely insists on putting them on herself! I wonder where she gets that stubborness from? Mmmmm!

Must dash, I have a hot date with a wire brush, a tin of Kill Rust and some off white paint. On second thoughts....perhaps I'll go and gaze at my babe sleeping soundly in her cot....capture the moment and remember it....always :)

Grateful for....Generosity

2011-02-12T19:38:00.008+10:00

They have come from far and wide over hill and over dale! On planes, on trucks and then on the posties bike. There are the elegant ladies dressed in their finest and adorned with strings of pearls. The tall soldiers looking regal and proud. The sleepy babies in snuggly soft flannel. The babushkas, the gnomes, the geishas and the surfer dude!

And then there's the wonderful menagerie of animals. Baby bunnies with sleepy eyes, cheeky and colourful koalas, a super hero frog complete with cape, cuddly elephants, cats of every shape and size, a birdie or two ...and a pea green dinosaur!

A motley crew of 196 softies (and growing by the day!!!!) so individual, so unique....so special!! All so very different yet sharing one common trait. They are all made with love and meticulous care and given so, so generously for the children affected by the Queensland floods.

And my beautiful bloggy friend Bren sent these handmade tags (she and her special little man put them together...Smiles!!) to attach to them. Ta very muchly gorgeous girl...and wee Jude.

I am proud and honoured to say that box loads have been sent off to the Lockyer Valley for distribution amongst some of the hardest hit areas. My lovely friend Mel of Retro Bird has offered her support not only with 10 of her much loved dolls but by handing out "Hope Softies" to children affected in the Ipswich area. You're an angel! And my divine Momle has after copious hours with her ear glued to the phone made contact with none other than the head of flood donation distribution for the Salvation Army! All those munchkins out there who've lost everything will now receive a piece of handmade love!

My heart just sings with all the generous spirit! For this I am so humbly grateful!!! Thank -you from the bottom of my heart you brilliant human beings!

Find other grateful souls over here.

Let's Play....Buttons!

2011-02-09T07:06:00.009+10:00

A basketful of large coloured buttons....soft and squiggly pipe cleaners....

an active and very inquisitive mind.....a wee bit of guidance from Mumma....

such concentration...such persistence and determination....such fun...

A lovely morning of colours, counting, straight, curvy and round.... wrapping and threading....of experimenting and learning....of sheer delight!

Fancy Pants - It's a Dressy Affair

2011-02-07T15:56:00.006+10:00

Whoa Nelly! This petit maison has seen its fair share of cleaning out this week. Not one corner has been (or will be) spared...including the back yard! And yes the walk-in-robe (that used to be the back stairs before Hubby extraordinaire converted it) was top of the hit list!

Both Hubby and I have quite serious hoarding diseases a hop, skip and a jump away from requiring psychiatric intervention. Ah but nothing a thorough, cathartic and major clean out can't cure. Carrie Bradshaw I ain't (nor does the contents of my cupboard house the entire 2010 Paris Fashion Week Collections) so it was time to let go of items I was keeping....just in case. Just in case the volumous grey bomber jacket that looked woeful on my twenty something frame would miraculously look fab on my now 34 year old post baby body! In case I started night clubbing again. Mon Dieu! In case I plan on becoming the oldest principal ballerina in the Bolshoi Ballet! Too-da-loo old clothes!

But then there are those items that you're just not sure of. Usually when conducting such an exorcism...ahem, I mean clean out, I would stuff said garments back in the wardrobe only to rediscover them next time we clean out. Not this time. All these things were popped in a box near my dressing table and I have forced myself to wear them this week....and see if they're worth keeping. The dress that can't decide if it's a top.....ta-ta! A hot pink frock too short to be legal....see ya later alligator. But this old Sportsgirl number. Teamed with a leather cuff and funky sandals to add a bit of edge I think I may just have breathed life into this old gal. Saved on death row!!

I'm playing dress ups with this lovely lady today.

Grateful for....My Momle and Falof

2011-02-05T17:57:00.011+10:00

When we bought this house I lovingly nicknamed it the "house of sheds" as the entire backyard was a virtual labyrinth of sheds, bird cages and little nooks and caverns. As time wore on the name stayed but the love of the monstrosity that was my backyard waned. Some of the bird cages came down before the poppet came but two sheds and an acre of concrete remained!! That is until today.

Without notice my Mumma Bear and Papa Bear arrived mid morning as Hubby began the arduous and trés hot task of gutting the first shed (oh yes, the previous owner was a toiling fellow who liked to line all of his wee buildings with chipboard using a veritable assortment of screws, nails, bolts etc.) before pulling it down. Falof knew Hubby was in shed demo mode and thought he might need a hand. They have been here more weekends than I can count. From the initial carpet ripping up time the day the house settled to the countless hours of Mum painting and Dad relentlessly chipping off layer upon layer of lino in the kitchen as we swanned around Paris on a European adventure!

They have always shown their unfailing love and support for me regardless of my many loony ideas (including this mammoth task we call house renovating!) and for them I am so very grateful! Love ya to the moon and back Momle and Falof!!!

To see what other love is zooming around the web today pop over to Maxabella loves.

Fancy Pants - The Playsuit Edition

2011-01-31T15:44:00.006+10:00

I daresay I've sported my fair share of playsuits in my time. From the terry towelling shoe string strap affair complete with shaped running shorts and satin bias binding as a wee kipper, to a culotte halter ensemble that danced the night away at the local under 18's nightclub "Prowlers"...ooh, so sophisticated. And I wonder why nobody wanted to dance with me to Boyz 2 Men's "The End of the Road" for the last slow dance!!

But have I learned? Oh no sir-ee! Another playsuit to add to my archives. This time a Witchery number hopefully with a little more panache than the aforementioned ones. I guess only time will tell. It is highly likely that this will be the photo that elicits copious guffawing and pointing when looked at by my children in years to come.

Playsuit: Witchery
Scarf: Cotton On
Cuff: Witchery
Watch: D&G

I'm joining in here today. Lets take a peek-a-boo at what funky outfits these ladies have created shall we.