loz and dinny

Harvested

2012-02-11T13:19:00.000+11:00

I have had this day marked on my calendar as 'unmissable'; the opening of Launceston's Farmer's Market, Harvest. I've been keen as locally produced organic mustard. Well before this day dawned, plans were laid to get moving early; load up those smalls in the prams and walk in. Loz was in too. I move with precision when food is involved. When it is time, noone even notices they are fed, dressed and in a pram with a bag of supplies packed, until we are walking out the front gate. I am a veritable market ninja. We have just returned and feel all warm and loved up and so full of food joy that I feel like lighting a cigarette and asking, 'how was it for you?', because for me it was wonderful. We saw friends. We ate pancakes. We bought the goods. Today I'm the gal who brings home bacon. I'm the buffalo (cheese) girl who went around the outside. I'm home. But I'm so Arnie, I'll be back. Put it on your calendar. Every Saturday 9-1pm, Cimitiere Street Carpark. Here's to bums that look like this because they've loaded up local.

FOUR!

2012-01-27T11:15:00.001+11:00

It seems that an eon of collecting various fabrics which evoke the halcion days of golfing attire has finally paid off. I mean, how was I to know as I fossicked through op shops and fabric shops that that I would simultaneously produce two boys who needed clothing? Seems the attraction was a biological thing. I mean I always saw these pants as the end point ... but clearly it was a vision thing. This, coupled with the miracle that sewing time is these days means I'm applying for canonisation. Patron Saint of Plus Fours*? That be me.

2011-12-18T14:45:00.001+11:00

Last Wednesday, our beautiful tree was delivered from Killiecrankie Farm. Standing plump and proud in all its sustainable, exquisite smelling beauty. A tree from Lee, has become part of our Christmas tradition. The placing of our ornaments collected in travels, takes us away to places once visited, where we dream of returning to.

Yep, now Christmas is Go! I love the excitement that builds in the smalls. I love it all. You can still get your own special tree from Killiecrankie ... order online here or just drop them a line .... see here is Lee delivering ... she's so full of Xmas cheer, that if you had your eyes shut, you would think it was one of Santa's elves pulling up in a 4WD with trailer attached.

Plus, she's dead famous, a covergirl ... the Elle MacPherson of Christmas trees ... see here (Thank you Lee x)

Bawl

2011-12-12T12:28:00.002+11:00

Listening to choirs makes me tear up. Listening to children's choirs makes me sob. Watching dance makes me well up. Watching my own daughter dancing makes me bawl. It's all so bloody ... joyful!

The Business

2011-10-13T18:40:00.004+11:00

Today I had a business meeting at my kitchen table over a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a couple of almond fingers. The meeting was then adjourned to the trampoline.

Clearer perspective was achieved by contemplating jet streams, soaking up the sun's Spring rays to the soundtrack of clucking chickens.
This photographic pose is impressive given that we have 6 children between us and no real commitment to pilates.
I like my boardroom.

Quilting for Kiva

2011-10-10T12:50:00.004+11:00

After months of deliberation, procrastination and other 'tions', I put aside my long held belief that quilting was a dark art to be avoided at all costs. Spurred on by the looming deadline, I completed my two squares for our Launceston Brown Owls Kiva Quilt. No joke, I even used a rotary cutter. I'm all over this quilting malarky. Or piecing. Or whatever it actually is. I feel like someone who has done their homework ahead of time. I even rang my Mum.

Aaaaaah Outside

2011-09-19T12:50:00.005+10:00

We have been taking advantage of the beautiful Spring weather we've been having, to get out in the garden and get amongst it. It's breakfast, then on goes the 'old clobber' and then outside. We've been planting our seedlings - ready to plant out when the last frosts disappear.We've been busy in and out of the sandpit.We've roped Grandma Loz in to put some final decorating touches on the cubby house of architectural merit (more on this later)...So we can host high teas fit for the Savoy. 'Quel surprise! Tea and mud tart! Delicieux!'Perchance would there be room at your table for one more?We've brought in the big guns to relocate some wood to our shed.and basically eaten and smeared ourself with more dirt and mud than is on offer at a day spa. Oh Spring - I salute you! This year I have made a pact that this is the year of the garden.... and with a start like this - clearly it will take alot to get us back inside!

Sewing Inferno

2011-09-15T08:49:00.003+10:00

It's a flurry of sewing activity around these parts. I've commandeered the kitchen table. My brain has become a hive of haberdashery activity. I am in a constant state of couture planning and implementing. This one calles me the 'House of Burns' (for couture, please press one). As explanantion, I blatently relocated her copy of this fine book... and well it seems me likey alot in there. So I thought I'd test out the wrap skirt with a jolly old sheet I'd picked up at the local oppie. Here is me in my pensive pose, honed from my days as a swimsuit model for Sports Illustrated (you can see me here)* I wasn't kidding about taking over the kitchen table. And the skirt ... I love it ... because 'House of Burns' says this season is the 'Summer of the jolly frock and skirt' ... oh, and yellow shoes (where do I get me some yellow shoes?) And here is the hat for the wee girl. I pulled out all the heavy weight fabric and asked her to choose. Whilst I wasn't backing this pink number (I'm not a real pink person)... the girl's eye clearly is a good one ... she choose to line the vintage pink extravaganza with a lilac drill. Ripper, no?

The hat itself, it's very snug. She is nonetheless thrilled with it. It doesn't blow off in the wind, tick! Shall see how we go with the adult size hat - but this size is perfecto for the wee lads. As for Sew La Tea Do ... I'm getting me a copy. One shouldn't push good friendships. Plus, she can crochet hexagons ... and I'm still on the granny square...

*Tell me you didn't really click on that link?

Here

2011-09-12T18:07:00.005+10:00

Things have levelled out a little round these parts. Since the boys arrived it's all been a bit day to day. Twins do that to you. I've never really written about our experience of finding ourselves parents of multiples. Never quite found the words to describe how it all goes being flung from mother of one to mother of three. Occasionally I have gone to write it all down for the record, but never quite know where to start. As my better half so aptly stated, it kind of sounds as if you are having a whinge or asking for a pat on the back - and really neither of us feel the need for either of these things, so we tend to just keep things close. But for the best part of 15 months we have lived a life that can be described as nothing short of perpetual motion; bewildering at times; intense and all consuming, a little lonely in parts ... but an experience that has stripped us back to recognise what gets us through and what keeps it sweet. We have become Team Burns, wearing the t-shirt that sees us rely so seemlessly on each other we rarely stop to ponder how we got here intact. But here is good. Here three smalls slumber by 7.30pm. Here three smalls wake after 7.15am. Here two wee boys slumber for 2-3 hours in the middle of the day. Here dinner is at 5pm and bath time follows. Here we sit on the couch together in the evening silence and hold hands. Here a routine guides our day like a ticking clock. A metronome to keep us dancing in time and singing in tune. Here we have embraced routine without embarrassment. Here we don't deviate often. Here is not there. To get to this point was a whirlwind of second guessing and experimenting. There has been endless questioning, both spoken and unspoken, whispered, laughed and sobbed on how would get through. A dialogue; just two. Words and fears rarely shared with others. It was just hard to explain. We clung to the belief that we would get some sort of space back. Space for a breath or two.

So here we are.

Breathing.

If I had a sewing bucket list .. this was on it

2011-09-08T17:05:00.006+10:00

Yesterday marked a monumental day in the vast sewing world. A tiny drop in the ocean for some seamstresses, but for moi, monumentale. I sewed a pair of pants. I know, remember to b-r-e-a-t-h-e. I found a vintage pyjama pattern, adapted it from a size 2/3 down to something resembling a size one and ticked 'pants' off the list that contains things that I think may be hard and have thus not tried. They worked. So today I tried another pair. I know, outrageous. But one pair of pants won't cut it in our house. Someone ends up going nude. They worked too. Chasing two wee boys around to get some photos on the other hand proved more difficult. The red checked pair were my 'test pair'. They were from fabric given to me way back here. When they were a success I went with the 'batik'. (Mum had picked up the fabric in Sarawak, Malaysia, when my Dad worked there). I enjoyed getting lost in 'the details'. I made a couple of 'faux' pockets at the front. Don't think I'll repeat them. I figured, at this stage, they didn't really need anywhere to put their keys. That back pocket was going to be a circle ... but after sewing two bits together and turning it in, I was struggling to make the circle look all neat, so I cut it off. Then I ricracked it up.As mentioned, photography was based on speed, rather than accuracy ... but the next shots at least showcase my new skirt ... whipped up in vintage curtain fabric, found way back here, it's my new favourite. The pattern is awesome. My sister even whipped up two. She has hips. They don't show in this skirt. It is tres flattering. You get the picture? It's A line....

...because sometimes you need a good place to hide ...

Junction Festival: So You Think You can Interpretative Dance

2011-08-26T09:13:00.004+10:00

Last night the wee girl, the sister and I ventured into the evening to sample a little more of the Junction Arts Festival. This time it was for So You Think You Can Interpretative Dance at Fresh. The idea ... take 10 brave acts (8 solo, 2 duets). Have 10 envelopes containing 1 music track. Each contestant, their order drawn from a hat gets to choose an envelope ... then let the interpretative dancing begin. The benefits of taking smalls, is you get a front row berth. They waited with baited breath.

The dancing began and they clapped and smiled and watched entranced. It may be that they did not get the somewhat 'tongue in cheek' elements of each dance extravaganza ... but they were clearly in the moment!

Mesmerised.
This was a duet ... just out of camera is his 36 week pregnant dance partner, also in lycra dancing to "I've had the time of my life"... hysterical! Other choice dance tracks included a spot of Massive Attack and the winning performance to Mariah Carey's "Hero". With judging complete it was time for a quick audience boogie to 'Bohemian Rhapsody' before the girls, no longer able to contain themselves, took to the stage for their own interpretative dances.
My cheeks hurt when I left, from all the smiling!Today we are off to see the whale, do a spot of the Arts ALive: arts trail and who knows what else we will discover along the way ...

At a Junction

2011-08-25T14:07:00.006+10:00

We thought we would step out into the city with the sister to check out a little of this year's Junction Arts Festival. Talk about people power ... last year's festival was meant to be a one off ... but people wrote and rallied and now it is secured for a further three ... nice one! We had a most ace time last year ... I wrote about it here and here. First stop Civic Square to see the Big Top and to eat our lunch at the wild willow cafe . We will return here on Saturday Night to bust some moves at The Junc Room. We like da hop hop!Then the wee girl did a spot of climbing before we headed of to see Launceston clock up their first ping pong win against Search Party. We took the Tiger Performance Bus ... but it seems the performance didn't ... nay bother .. will try again tomorrow. We made it home just before the heavens opened! Tonight Edie, the Aunt and I are going to see 'So You think you can Interpretive Dance'. We are a little disappointed we didn't prepare something and don some lycra and sweat bands ... I don't think Launceston will share our disappointment ... *

Tomorrow I think we will go search for the whale ... you coming? Get amongst it people!!

*This in late ... just showed the wee girl my version of running man ... she said 'you can do that tonight, Mummy' ... seems there will be one disappointed person in Launceston.

Free to good home ...

2011-08-24T11:32:00.002+10:00

This morning there was a loud knock at the door. Upon opening aforementioned door, this is what I found.Quel surprise! I called Dunc to 'come and have a look at this'. We both stood agog. Before you think we are 1. running some kind of baby racket 2. Live in a converted church or 3. Run a workhouse and feed children gruel before sending them off to make carpets in dark factories or 4. Are looking to expand our brood (cough, splutter, guffaw) ... this is my beautiful nephew... and hiding around the front of my house was his mother, my youngest sister... and in my family we LOVE surprises. Giving and getting... and this got me a doozy ... she's here for A WHOLE WEEK. Grand. Arlo welcomed his cousin in the best way he knows how ... STACKS ON!!!!!!!!

Out

2011-08-21T20:55:00.002+10:00

This morning was just the wee girl and me. The brothers got their Dad. We went on an adventure, custom made for a small. We drove out to a country market and ate strawberry cupcakes and raspberry icecream. We ran around the old velodrome track, balloons flapping in the breeze. We got all muddy on the footy oval and watched the orange balloon sail so high it disappeared into the clouds.We got a pink balloon to replace it. We got to buy a beautiful Nest from a beautiful stall. We got to forget the routine our life with the twin brothers runs by. We got to linger. We got to explore. Just us.

Not wanting it to end we adventured on to our favourite playground and built our own nests from stick and flowers and leaves, fossicked and gathered. It felt good to be in a rhythm of our own in a day where the sun shone.
I love my wee girl.

For Myself

2011-08-20T13:27:00.004+10:00

Today I completed a project. Completing anything in particular is always a bit of a 'Hurrah' moment round these parts but this project was a veritable 'You little Beauty' moment. I sewed. I sewed MYSELF something. And it WORKED. Tight Ass Table Spotlight fabric + Simplicity pattern 2209 = A little 50s inspired frock action. I finished just as I heard the boys stirring from their midday nap ... so here is the ' just quickly pop it on over my current outfit' photo shoot. So over the jeans it went. The pose, that wasn't my blue steel ... the sun was in my eyes and the chickens in my bloody spring bulbs.Clearly I am on some kind of roll or is it mission? because last week I made something else. I conjured up this skirt from this pattern and then hung it on my newly blossoming quince tree in some sort of effort to look all arty, photography-like. Let's call it a fail - please go lurk on a photography blog if you are artisitcally offended, but by this time I had one of the boys on my hip, so another outfit change was a serious NO GO SISTA! Before I started, I took all my measurenments and it said I was a size 18 ... but by the amount I had to run it in the back ... I'd say I was a 12-14.A little jaunty? Nothing like a wardrobe that contains nothing it seems bar black and a budget that is far from being in the black, to act as a little motivation. As I got sewing I also got thinking. I realised that the last time I sewed myself something I was 24. I was working overseas. I sewed on a borrowed machine on the tiled floor of the condo I lived in in Singapore (we didn't have much furniture). I didn't use a pattern I just cut around a dress I liked at the time and sewed up some side seams and made it up. It was very, um, grungy... and I thought I looked HOT. Only took me a little under a decade and a half to have another go at it. AT this rate I'll have an entire wardobe by the time my one year olds graduate from high school. Ace!

Sunday Dreaming

2011-08-15T09:55:00.005+10:00

Windows framing views to far off places. Small glimpses to what lies beyond. Being here rather than there. Just the usual Sunday drive.

Ahoy me hearties!

2011-08-07T13:48:00.004+10:00

Despite being a five minute stroll from our gate ... it's been a while since I ventured to the Esk Market. The man gets a little overwhemed by the wafty deep fryers. So glad I did... this was waiting patiently for me. I love a bit of vintage nautical. I'm just partial to maritime really. I think it might like to keep this print company.

Easy Afternoons

2011-08-06T17:00:00.002+10:00

Yesterday, whilst the brothers had their epic midday snooze, I did a spot of sewing. Seems the kitchen table only becomes a sweat shop these days when a present is in order....and that is just the way I like it. Edie kept stroking the flannelette fabric chanting 'oooooo sooooo soooooft'. The machine rumbled along. Nothing complicated. No thinking required. Just colour combinations to choose ...

All finished, before the snoozers even stirred. These will wing their way off next week ... and if I remember I'll post pics of the finished pieces.

Lantern Jollies

2011-08-05T08:16:00.003+10:00

A while back I bought these pretty vintage lanterns. I had intended to string them up in the 'play room'. I had bold such visions. I could almost have applied for some kind of sainthood, the visions were so clear. But they involved a shelf ... and the plaster wasn't going to hold the shelf ... so I would need some kind of batten brace ... renovation blah, blah, blah ... so when the Man's birthday rolled around last week, the small and I strung them up in the kitchen over the table ... You know, to get a little festive-like....and, well we kinda loved them there. So they are staying. Swinging a little in our draught. Lit by our skylight, looking all jolly. It's enough to brighten your day, non?Keen to get your lantern jollies? Lanterns can be found here. From this seller.

The Non-Sewer

2011-07-27T11:49:00.004+10:00

My older sister tells me she can't really sew. When the post arrived this morning ...imagine my delight at just what non-sewing can magic up? These two beautiful quilts are her gifts to Arlo and Tavish for their first birthdays. I would love to see what she could produce should she ever actually learn to sew. Today this humble sister turns 40... Happy Birthday, Mim! The cheesy cards always say 'Life Begins at 40' and I reckon there are adventures just waiting to be had. Glad you got there before me - you can test out the theory xxx

Chilly

2011-07-26T12:35:00.005+10:00

To say it was a little on the fresh side this morning was true. Positively frosty. A little chilly around the nipples. Positively high beam. But beauty can be found in the most unlikely of places. On venturing outside to the bin, Dunc insisted I join him (a hot date, don't be late?) ... to see the car roof shrouded in a wallpaper-like ice design. I have no idea how Jack Frost pulled that one off ... but it was a stroke of sub-zero graphic design genius. Just so beautiful!

... and as if to remind myself that frosty mornings deliver the most spectacular of sunny wintry days - this bicycle was pulled up outside the cafe where I warmed myself with conversation and coffee. What a perfect start to a Tuesday.

Embracing the Dark Arts

2011-07-25T09:50:00.004+10:00

What better way to conquer my fear of the Dark Art otherwise known as 'knitting' than at Knit Lab? This month we slipped in an extra Brown Owls meet to get amongst the knitted excellence that is on offer at this beautiful, interactive exhibition of woollen joy. I thought I would be heading straight to the pom pom making as the skill of knitting has, well, alluded me in my grown up days. I mean ... yes ... there were the valiant efforts in primary school ... but always the same outcome .... a scarf that collected stitches along the way until it resembled a giant triangle... a familiar story? But Isis, the left hander who knits right handed, reckoned I should give it a whorl... so on she cast (for me) and with her expert instruction off I knitted and purled... See! First row complete. How lovely is that knitted row against Amy's muffins and my AIRAC thermus? It was Brown Owls ... craft minus cake = crime. ...and there it is on the Knit Lab pixel wall ... my humble knitted square. Stocking stitch no less. Apparently I've got good tension ... a dark and broody knitter am I? I can't believe how fun it was ... I think I might have travelled to the dark side? As long as there is home delivery service for casting on?

... and on my knitted high, I joined my family at our favourite park for a spot of playground and racing.

Want more photos of Brown Owls at Knit Lab? Go here - Amy remembered to take pictures of the EVENT not just the knitting at hand! More photos of Knit Lab? Go here. Many thanks to Abigail and Isis for our Knit Lab arvo xx

The Knit Lab Exhibition is on at Sawtooth ARI, 160 Cimitiere St, Launceston until the end of this month ... make sure you get along to it!!!

Snow Day

2011-07-24T21:39:00.004+10:00

Today we rugged up, loaded up and took off up the nearest mountain in a quest for some snow. It wasn't looking promising ... we prepared the wee girl for the worst ... but she was having none of it ... she insisted that we had gone on a quest for snowballs and snowmen and that what's would be found. I love an optimist and luckily at the top of Mount Barrow ... that's exactly what we did find. Winter wonderland with enough of the white stuff to tick the boxes.Beanies and warm coats on ... but the most beautiful of clear, sunny winter's days.Snow and jewel-like ice......and a chance to get amongst it.
...even if the snow was a little too powdery or a little too icy to really get a snowman happening. There's always next time ... and for a girl that originally hails from WA ... no, the novelty has still not worn off that this is only 40 minutes from my front door!!

A small place

2011-07-21T11:51:00.002+10:00

I can get all philosophical. Today I am thankful for my small place in the world. Surrounded by a little bit of nice. There are small pleasures everywhere: not having to explain yourself, sitting side by side, the calm before the storm, the delicious compromise, conversing and coffee and like minds. Today I don't need to think big. Small is enough.

A Man who wears the Apron...

2011-07-18T12:49:00.004+10:00

Some people like to wear the pants. Others don't. Some prefer to wear aprons. I'd happily trade pants wearing for apron wearing, anytime*. A man in touch with his cordon bleu? His Michelin 3 star? His master baker? Gold. One that takes on an apprentice... gold star.Would love to pass on the recipe for his double choc chip, choc weetbix biscuits ... but he is a bit freestyle on the baking front. I'm not complaining ...

*please be assured that pants were worn under the apron. He's freestyle ... but not that freestyle. Plus nude baking can lead to , well, complications ...

Science Nerds

2011-07-16T15:51:00.003+10:00

Meet the mini Einsteins. Taken at our supercool local hangout. You can hear their tiny minds ticking from here ...

Pizza

2011-07-15T13:21:00.002+10:00

Today the girl and I made pizza for lunch. We are pizza cheats. We use lebanese bread as our bases ... they come out all thin and crispy ... just the way we like them. Please don't report us to Interpol's international pizza crime squad. Fresh tomatoes, capers, olives ... the last of our oregano.... that's the way we roll. I was allowed to sneak some mushrooms on my half.

We all ate together. Everyone was responsible for what went into their own mouths.

The most relaxing lunch I've had in a long while.

Seems like it was a winner in the gourmet stakes. We are so darn Masterchef around here.

A man needs a cave ...

2011-07-12T11:19:00.003+10:00

We got invited to a second birthday dinosaur extravaganza on the weekend. I had been storing up this idea for a while ... and thus couldn't believe my luck on the birthday theme... reason and motivation and last minute panic are good crafting catalysts around these parts ... so I brushed the dust off the sewing machine ... oiled the hinges on the stash cupboard and got making 'The Dinosaur Cave avec Dinosaur'. I'd never made a zippered pouch before ... I've only ever sewed two zips ... but hey? did I say last minute panic is a good carriage for focusing a wandering mind? The cave appeared from a bit of thrifted cord, some 'stolen' green velvet (thanks Annie). The mouth of the cave need some green moss (ric rac ... OK work with me here people). Instead of making it a flat pouch, after I sewed in the zip, then the two side seams, I folded the bottom seam the opposite way to form a pyramid ... um? like a sunny boy icy pole.

But what's a cave without a dinosaur? This is my take on a Tyrranosaurus Rex. Let's call him Cyril. He lives in the cave. With his vintage fabric side he can easily hide in the foliage to chomp unexpected passers by.
... and I guess he could turn this way if he wanted to blend in at a quilters convention or a night at Brown Owls.

Team Knitware

2011-07-09T08:33:00.005+10:00

The invite to the opening of KNITLAB said wear your best vintage knitware and strike a Patons pose. I promised Dunc that EVERYONE would be applying the dress code. So we fished out a couple of beauties from my Mum's personal collection (as knitted by my English Grandmother) Even as we climbed the stairs to the exhibition, I promised him all would be good. The boys were knitted up, Edie was wearing a jumper from when I was a little girl, I had the farmhouse scene ... ensconced in wool we entered the Sawtooth Gallery. Ok ... to say the application of the dress code was liberal? ... that might be considered liberal ... but we had an excellent laugh. And I roped Loz and her friend Faye ... who had an amazing knitted stash of her own doing .... check out what Loz wore from aforementioned stash!! AMAZING ...

...and the exhibition .... well worth a gander or two or three as the exhibits grow and evolve ... Completely beautiful ... I want one of the big knitted spheres AND you can finger knit a poo, or add a pixel. LOVED it ... congrats Isis, Mae and Abigail.

and KNITLAB's facebook page is here ... don't tell the man though because I'm just saying he may be featured there (again)

Forgive me Blogger for I have sinned...

2011-02-14T16:30:00.003+11:00

It has been 2 months at least since my last post...

Yeah ... I've thought about posting. Yeah I've occasionally logged on but got sidetracked. But, you know ... I thought people may not be as excited about the pureed wonder meals I have been creating and freezing into countless iceblock trays as maybe I am ... Or be concerned as I am that there will be enough apples in Tasmania this coming season to satiate my lads appetite ... or that the floods in Queensland may mean my supply of sweet potato may dry up .... but at the end of the day that's the long and short of things round these parts.

12 Days 'til Xmas

2010-12-13T16:22:00.005+11:00

Today we got a special delivery. The lovely Lee from Killiecrankie Farm dropped off our beautiful Xmas Tree. (We thought about picking it up - but it meant making room in the car by losing a couple of our offspring ... after a very small pause we decided it was best that it was delivered). Sustainably farmed and cut fresh this morning, the tree is a vision of the festive season and has already filled our house with the most beautiful pine aroma ... feels like we are taking a stroll through a forest and we are only traversing from the kitchen to the lounge room. If you have yet to get a Xmas tree - get in touch with Lee - They have 4 sizes and they are so incredibly beautiful!

We hauled out the 'Christmas Box' and began our annual ritual of dressing the tree. Our decorations have been lovingly collected from our travels over the past few years as well as saved from special friends and times that seem so far away now. The collection of an ornament from each place we have visited started late (we pilfered the idea from my sister and bro-in-law) but we have still managed a few. Each year, as they are placed on the tree we get to reminisce a little ... I love this time! And now that Edie is a little older she too is keen to hear the stories as each piece is placed on the tree. I have many favourites ... these are but a few ...
This guy, St Nicholas is from Prague. We were there a couple of days after Xmas in the snow, drinking gluhwein. Each time I see him I think of white Christmases!
This one is up there as my number one ... cheesy, kitsch and hopelessly tacky it commemorates our halcion days of living in Edinburgh ... where pipers (good, bad and just plain ugly) adorn street corners, playing for a few coins from tourists. You press it and it plays Scotland the Brave. I will truly be gutted when the little battery gives up. We still miss Edinburgh (Hi Sharkey xxx). We know we will live there once more!

This one is actually from Loz. She got it in Russia when she embarked on her Trans Siberian Railway adventure which she undertook for her 60th birthday. She had been booked to go in 1968, but got married instead. I grew up hearing how much Mum regretted not going, despite getting married. This wee ornament reminds me that you never have to give up your dreams. I love Xmas.

Dangling a Carrot (or get thee to a market)

2010-12-05T18:31:00.007+11:00

Some of you need no encouragement to attend a market. Some of you only need get a faint whiff of handmade items arranged enticingly on trestle tables and your inbuilt market meter goes radioactive. Some of you may need a bigger carrot. So I am dangling one. Tomorrow (that's right a market on a Monday!!), I am participating in my last market for a wee while. Time to slow down. Time to regroup. Maybe even reinvent. But as a little mark of appreciation for the support I have received in Launceston for my little venture I am marking my dresses right down - some as much as 40%. Think of it as Xmas cheer if you will. So if you can spare a little time for a foray - come along to Launceston Church Grammar Junior Campus' Resource room tomorrow (8.30-11am or 2-4pm). I'll have other goodies too and will be in good company if you are not the slightest bit interested in my humble wares. (see side bar for more info)

PS Those lovely, loved up carrots were in our Hilbarn box this week. They canoodled in my crisper until I could keep them from the wee girl no longer. Felt nothing short of barbaric to divide then munch them ... almost cannibalistic!

Shoulder Ties, cake and fairies

2010-11-14T13:02:00.005+11:00

These dresses seemed to be a firm favourite on the market circuit last summer. Some beautiful new fabrics for them this season ... I love cotton voile - it is my absolute favourite. I am still squeezing Edie into her size 1 shoulder tie dress ... as a top ... I'm not making her flash her knickers in public or anything like that. Anyways ... she does that of her own accord. Public rolly pollies are de rigeur.

It's been a magical weekend. I got excitedly summoned from my sewing frenzy to eat this ...

and yesterday we all got to go to the magical fairy garden party as a fundraiser for the Clifford Craig Foundation. I realised at the last minute we had no suitable fairy wings ... and wings were the ticket to a free icecream ... so I whipped some up using some stiff vintage, flocked organza I have kicking around in the 'I love it, but what to do?' pile. They had a white elephant stall there- and I picked up some booty - will post later! The garden was to die for ... made me get all inspired so I bought a stack of pot plants from their plant stall too! Just a quick post - back to turning straps and shirring elastic. Don't be jealous.

Dad Craft

2010-11-12T09:30:00.003+11:00

Yesterday was all about Dad Craft. With the man on holidays, it has given me some much needed (and sorely appreciated time) for market preparation - Niche and the market- hobart. The man is well versed in the need for cwaft ... the wee girl likes her craft, or as she prefers, cwafting. So with these shells collected last week from lazy beachcombing at Binalong Bay, the dad embarked on his own special version of Dude Craft... (making sure he had a mug of freshly brewed coffee in his favourite mug, lovingly pilfered from his Nan - the former champion Bowls afficionado).
The results were nothing short of impressive ... and it even matched the vintage shell cabochon hair slide I made earlier ... available at this year's round of markets (yes that was a SHAMELESS plug).

In the bag...

2010-11-09T18:42:00.003+11:00

Yesterday morning the man officially started holidays - his final hand-in complete. Yesterday morning after breakfast and coffee I started to sew...market preparation has begun in earnest. Yesterday it was all about the skirt. Today ... it was all about the library bag. With the door to 'the back room' open, the sun shining and the wee girl dropping in and out to have a dance, a jump on the bed, or a fondle of the fabric - I thought to myself ... life is grand. Grander even still when you come up to the house for lunch and find it accompanied with a vase of freshly picked flowers from our garden.

Gardening by the Riot Act

2010-11-01T16:41:00.005+11:00

Our garden (or parts of it) is looking all Spring lovely. The herbs have gone bananas (no actual bananas, just beserk) and my random cuttings of daisies have bloomed. And then there are those irises. The irises that must have overheard Dunc and my conversation a few weeks back, where we whinged that if they didn't bloom this year after squatting on prime garden land for the past two years ... they were destined for eviction. Amazing what a little fear can inspire in flora. They are glorious.

PS thank you for all your kind words re: craft fairgate. All is calm. Normalcy returned. Glue still in place. Sponge baths, de rigeur.

Craft Fairs are lethal

2010-10-30T19:18:00.004+11:00

This is a tale of Craft Fair Woe. It's longwinded. Grab a cuppa...or something stronger. Today I became that figure of pity that you see in the motions of meltdown ... the one you view from a distance secretly thanking your lucky stars, god, goddess, idols, false idols ... that it is not happening to you. Today I wished to step outside of my body and run ... not screaming however ... just run like a thief in the night lest anyone see me trying to make a swift getaway to somewhere like, hm, the Amazon Jungle or the Mongolian Steppes or even just an outer suburb of Launceston .... just anywhere but Deloraine Craft Fair.

Let's be clear. It wasn't that I had been awake since 4am. It wasn't that my date with the tax accountant was last minute shifted to a location across town. It wasn't the wee gasbagger who chatted all the way from Lonnie to Deloraine without drawing breath. It wasn't hauling my double pram out of the boot and almost having a hernia. It wasn't the loading of the tribe in aforementioned pram. It wasn't the pushing of the aforementioned pram whilst holding one unsettle-able enfant and continuing aforementioned chat with wee gasbagger. We got to the first pavillion. We had been out of the car for 15mins. The small had got an icecream and I, a milkshake. Things were even looking up when I spied some items that would make perfect Xmas presents ... made of wood and wire ... the gasbagger even chose them herself and was happy to wait in line to pay for them whilst I juggled the unsettle-able to get at my purse.

No - the slow motion part happened now. I just heard the gasbagging turn to distress. The slow motion of your small moving toward you saying 'I want my Mama', wire and wood thingies still clutched in tiny hand. Realising that amidst a whole lot of people your small is dripping blood from her face. Trying to comfort small and search with fruitless accuracy for something to stop the blood with babe in one hand and the other desperately trying to calm one distressed wee girl.

Enter my Clark Kent. One lovely woman who asked so politely if the baby would mind if she held him whilst I attended to my other small. I practically thrusted the baby at her. Whilst continuing to rummage in the bottom of the aforementioned pram for ... a baby singlet ... yes that will mop chin blood, no probs. Mop blood ... see gash ... the wire and wood thingies must have flipped and the wire so perfect had carved out a deep path... First Aid tent required. Small now screaming. I can only say I believe in the kindness of strangers. As my Superwoman helped me get the baby back in the pram, with his (thankfully) smiling brother...which she then pushed to the nearby office so I could carry and calm the girl while we waited for St John's crew.

My girl is made of the good stuff. Once we were there she regained her composure. The gasbagging resumed around the time the boys started crying in blistering stereo. She proceeded to tell the first aid crew that she was much braver than the babies. That she wanted to be a doctor when she was bigger (News to me ... but ace!). Bandaid in place to cover stitch needing wound, it is somewhat hard to answer questions for the first aid incident form as your boys are crescendo-ing into the baby equivalent of the 1812 overture, whilst all present in the craft fair office are informing you that they must indeed be hungry. Exit office to find nearest shady, semi-private tree to feed smalls. Load pram back up with wee gasbagger back in form and perched on the front. Go back to purchase wire and wood thingies whilst previous onlookers enquire as to outcome of muppet show that, judging by the amount of enquiries, was witnessed by 12, 008 people. Do a quick lap of pavillion to justify the whole trip before starting trip back. Head to food pavillion in vain attempt to get some sort of food for yourself as you realise that now it's 3pm ... the last time you ate was breakfast at 6.30am. One baby opens his lungs, the 12, 008 previous witnesses all look in the direction of the stupid woman with the twin pram and the maimed toddler perched on the front. Grab wildly at various food products and head, head-down to the carpark. Reload tribe into the car. Close doors to block out screaming. Load pram ... can't get it to fit in the boot like before. Pull shoulder muscle in the process, so just put all my weight on the boot door and jam it in. Ring husband and tell him to meet us at emergency for some wound gluing date action. Drive the 25mins back into town with both 'they always go straight to sleep when we're driving' babies screaming blue murder and maimed gasbagger joining in the action because I can't 'make them stop'. Turn up radio. Gasbagger and youngest baby give up and go to sleep. Middle 'he is such a cruisy, patient wee guy' baby continues with purchase. Arrive at hospital. Get out settle crying wee bairn on the roadside, never happier than when you see your man stridng toward you.

Enter emergency. Start wait. Babies require feeding. Go seeking suitable spot. Get to hospital foyer. Both babes screaming. Start feeding one... other tops the pops. Again, another vision of kindness appears amidst the 'I'm not really looking' onlookers and collects the screamer and has him smiling in one minute flat until I can finish with his brother. Bless you. Return to emergency. Hand over babes to husband to take home. Commence 2 hour wait for wound glue, reading signs about recent gastro outbreaks and telling the now all singing and dancing happy-go-lucky small to dodge blood spots on the ground. Just when I thought I had lost all will to live, and considered high tailing it and letting the girl live with a character building scar, our name was called and we were in and out in about 4.5minutes. ACE.

Told you it was long. Sometimes it's good to get things off your chest. Sometimes it's good to share the fun times. Enjoy!

Niche November Xmas Extravaganza!

2010-10-15T16:24:00.004+11:00

Put this in your diaries NOW. New location - Inveresk Tramsheds. Get all your handmade Xmas shopping done in one hit ... and support local makers and designers who will in turn donate 20% of all their market profits to St Giles. That's a whole lot of Xmas cheer and feel good shenanigans in one hit. Goodwill to all Men (and women), eh? I'll be here, touting my wares. Come and see my new stuff, if you like.

More about Niche: all wrapped up here

Ahoy there!

2010-10-15T09:03:00.004+11:00

Ahoy! These are going to a special little gal who turns 3 today. So pleased that the vintage naval trim has finally found a home ... I like to experiment on my friend's children when I'm coming up with new ideas for Loz and Dinny. Told you I am a little obsessed with all things Maritime! Hope she likes them .. she is a discerning fashionista.

Nautical but Nice

2010-10-14T15:46:00.003+11:00

There's a bit of a maritime happening around here. As I gear up for this summer round of markets ... I am completely inspired by everything on and in the water. Although not yet complete, these library bags are just a few that will be available at the market ... November 21st - Big Xmas Extravaganza.

Still Life with Hot Grapefruit.

2010-10-13T16:41:00.003+11:00

Lamb's Ear: picked and arranged from own garden by small.
Grapefruit: pilfered and relocated from lone, neglected tree round the back of University by man
Lemons: not pilfered, from own tree.
Posh, Designer, Eco, Flatpackable fruit bowl: stylist's own

Gosh I love Spring!

Deal!

2010-10-12T10:49:00.005+11:00

I could tell you that on a daily basis I use my tertiary education and wax lyrical about post modernism and marxist feminist readings of Jane Eyre. I could tell you that my 'spare time' is spent expanding my mind by watching Foreign Correspondent and cheeky little documentaries on climate change and the political state of affairs post-global financial crisis and its impact on the Obama Government. Instead I will tell you that I feed my long standing love for game shows by savouring my guilty pleasure of watching 'Deal or No Deal'. When I am on 'The Deal' I will choose the Number 8 case as it is my second favourite number after 29 (which is not available ... the numbers only go up to 26 "Bulyer!!!"). I would like to tell you I will be brave and go all the way ... but I will be very happy with $10 000 ... but feel it in my waters that I will win $42 000. Until my call up to the Dealerdrome I am happy to jiggle babies and undertake the bedtime routine for the small whilst shouting 'NO DEAL!', 'one more' or 'take the deal' or at the television.

PS As a trivial aside ... in the UK the Deal or no Deal contestants stay the same until they get their call up ... some stay weeks or even months before they get their turn ... spooky!

Best Nest

2010-10-11T11:05:00.002+11:00

I love my house.

I love my nest.

In all the world

My nest is best.

(The Best Nest by P.D. Eastman)

It has been all about nests in our house for a while now. A nest in the big basket with blankets and pillows. Making nests in the garden and in the parks for birds who might be on the hunt for a new one ... so when Dunc found this beauty at the base of the big old gum tree down the road ... the wee girl thought it was the best nest of all. Relocated and redecorated ... in a nashi pear tree executive location ... what bird would pass up this new abode?and in true The Best Nest style ... it had man hair and horse hair and mattress stuffing! Bonus!

Uncle Ironman

2010-10-09T14:22:00.003+11:00

The much loved Uncle Stevie is in Hawaii. He is competing in the Hawaii Ironman Race. He is a superman of epic proportions. He 'won' a wild card entry spot. This is not the sort of thing I would view as 'winning'...but he was stoked. Tomorrow he will be swimming 3.86km, cycling 180.25km and then running a marathon 42km ...BACK TO BACK ... for fun. If I was in Hawaii I would be having a pina colada pool side. Wish we could be there to cheer you on, Stevie ... so from our small part of a small island to your part of another island we use our outside voices and cheer GO STEVIE GO!!

Raising your hand

2010-09-10T16:16:00.002+10:00

Look what I got at auction! Times two! I bid furiously and won! I've only ever gone to one other auction before. I get so excited. I love seeing what all the items go for. I had to dash in and out a few times to settle/ feed the boys ... but I got them. Now I can't wait for Summer and all our planned renos/ tidy ups ... I am going to be lounging on our deck, the one on the jobs list ... soon to be constructed from recycled brick pallets. I will languish in this chair with a cocktail in hand ... care to join me in the other one?

Meet the Man Behind Father's Day

2010-09-05T10:22:00.006+10:00

Meet this guy. The father. The bees knees. Super Dad. The multi-skilled, much loved man around our wonky house.

He baths newborns with such ease.
Uses advanced principles of engineering to string up pinatas in all weather conditions and challenging locations.

Attacks and disposes of ugly, apricot, knee high sinks we have put up with for two years in a single bound ...
Effortlessly juggles two babies sitting ...
...and standing (precarious though it may seem to the untrained eye)

Completes renovations of epic proportions whilst managing the apprentice...Manages a sleep in despite adversity. Which is good as he needs the energy to...
...play fairies with the theatrical charm of Sir Lawrence Olivier
...accept handmade father's day gifts in the morning...
...and construct sandcastles of architectural merit in the afternoon...
whilst on a spectacular Tassie country drive...he's a keeper xxxx

Junction is all Wrapped Up

2010-09-04T22:16:00.003+10:00

The festival is well and truly over ... but some colourful reminders are hanging in there ... and you thought finishing that scarf in the bottom of your to do pile was a big job??? I mean I still sit firmly in the 'knitting is a dark art' camp. I do not possess the knit one, purl one gene. So these amazing yarn bombed columns that adorn the town hall are awesome. Warms the cockles, non? Specially when I snapped these on the most glorious starts to Spring one could ever hope for!

The Girl Can Dance - Junction Arts Festival Part 1

2010-08-31T13:10:00.006+10:00

We have had such a brilliant weekend. Junction Arts Festival hit Launceston and painted our sleepy city with vibrant brushstrokes. We made sure we sucked up as much of the programme as is possible with one small and two babes in tow. After Niche we had an early dinner of fish and chips before heading to see Pane ... a dance performance in a shop window. From the moment our feet hit the pavement, my wee girl's started to groove out to the 50s tunes playing. By the time the performance started she was in full swing. She was hooked. As each dance finished and the crowd applauded, she took a bow. Her wee friends joined her. There was a rumble in the urban jungle. They boogied in the night. They danced in the street. They grinned from ear to ear.

At the end the performers invited her in. She danced with them. She was wrapped. I couldn't stop smiling. So full of joy. We all loved it - the performance, the setting - so beautiful. Bravo!Getting your kids amongst it ... priceless.
A woman stopped me as we went to leave. "I am sorry to say, you have a dancer there. Prepare her for a life of poverty", she said. ...only time will tell.

Niche Away for another day

2010-08-30T21:18:00.004+10:00

Had such a lovely time at Niche. It was very lovely to share a stall and hang with this gal. It was lovely to revel in the superb aroma of all things handmade. It was lovely to eat cupcakes. It was lovely to buy uber cool ring. It was lovely to do a swap and get me paws on goodies from this talent oozing lass. It was lovely to meet a whole barrel of stall holders. It was just lovely to be amongst 'eau de market'. It was lovely to see some old customers faces. It was so lovely I forgot to take photos. I took but one and then got sidetracked. Sorry. Suse took some. Go there.

See you at the Market, Handmade Lovers

2010-08-26T21:29:00.003+10:00

I will be at Niche Market on Friday and Saturday. Hanging out at the Boathouse venue in Inveresk. Between the roundabouts on Lindsay Street - or just a short hop over the bridge from Seaport. I will not have my new cute wee appliqued skirts as Jan the Janome has a broken foot ... her control foot, went caput ... so no shirring elastication is possible ... it seems newer machines don't like the job as much as Jan ... no sweat though - I will unleash my Mountain Stage Tour de France design at a later date...

I am not concerned - I am just happy to be back on the market horse and to be in such lovely company ... Afterwards we are going for Fish and Chips and then heading to see Pane - a free performance in Jessup Retravision's shop windows! Hope to see you at the market - it's been a while xx

Junction Arts Festival - Launceston

2010-08-24T14:52:00.007+10:00

I am loading up my bandwagon and going in convoy with Mrs Smith ... cool things are afoot in the fair city of Launceston ... Junction Arts Festival 2010

Officially the festival opens tomorrow ...but as we wandered around town yesterday ... we saw the city taking on a new canvas - as knitted graffiti, a mandala trail, sculpture and installations began to pop up and take shape. The beauty of umbrellas in trees and posts kept warm by their own scarf. Edie was so taken with watching Pleiades being installed ... she stared in absolute wonder at 'The Snow Tree'. I barely know where to start with the programme.
We have already had a cheeky peek at what is the wondrous, eye popping goodness of 'The Knitting Room'. I mean I thought there might be an odd cupcake in the old knit one, purl one ... but a whole house? Room after room modelled on a 1950s abode - ALL KNITTED? Edie, Aunty Helen and I could barely contain our excitement.

I am already planning my out of house sneak to get to the Junc Room - Festival Club ... Barry Morgan's World of Organs is there. Did you see him on Spicks and Specks?

Image from here

And I so desperately want to muster the courage to get A Haircut by a 10 Year Old or maybe I will just settle on a love letter for Dunc at The Letter Writing Service. ...and that is but the tip of the iceberg!!

I will be at Niche Design Market ... which is also part of the festival.... I'll be planning my schedule from there!

Whip It [up] Good

2010-08-22T19:36:00.003+10:00

Yesterday arvo the girl was scratchy. It was pre-witching hour jitters. She was launching into the unreasonable before a reasonably acceptable witching hour time... you know around 4-4.30pm. Desperate for diversion, I dug deep ... deep into the fabric box ... the one I use for applique and the like. I suggested we peruse and choose our favourites (cunning as a fox am I). She took it one further and suggested I make her a skirt (more cunning than I is she). She laid it on thick ... about how I am sewing other girls dresses so why not a skirt for this little girl ("I love your skirts, Mummy" ... see cunning). So I agreed. She selected 20 different samples... all varying shades of 'pink is my favourite colour' ... before going off on tangents of frog green and blue. So we whittled. Then I whistled (while I worked). She sat on my lap and suggested I use that star thing stitch on my sewing machine ... mmm the girl has an eye.

I had all the goods at hand... I've been sewing at my kitchen table as frankly 'down the back' is freezing and plus it's hard to drag our new tribe all the way down there ... it dampens the creative spirit ... and plus - did I mention it's baltic???? So the girl perched and directed and the lads hung out on the table in their car capsules.

So, yada, yada, yada ... voila! I whipped it ... 45mins before dinner and bath.

I had been wanting to give this design a whirl ever since I made this skirt ... because I wanted an alternative to elastic in a casing for the band. It's a winner. It was nice to have a creative push from a three year old who insists you have to work the sheep in! It looks better on - all sticky out, twirly-like...but getting a photo of the girl these days is like capturing the image of the yeti ... chance -slim to none.

What do you think?

Brr!!

2010-08-20T11:36:00.004+10:00

It's been a wee bit chilly around these parts. The sun has gone behind the rain clouds and it's been all blustery, rainy, wintery goodness. When we have ventured out, the wee girl has been all rugged up - layer, upon layer with a puffer jacket on top. I have this urge as she is walking, arms not quite touching her sides, to place her on side and roll her along in her edible, marshmellow-esque state ...

I love winter. Even stay at home, it's too cold out winter. I love it for it's coats and boots and beanies. I love it for eyes poking out from rugs and hats in prams. I love it for the sound of rain on the iron roof and the wind whipping around our garden. I love it for cold noses and rosy cheeks. But I can leave the snot alone...

These scarves will be at Niche.

Oui, Oui, Oui (Wee Wee Wee)!

2010-08-17T14:31:00.003+10:00

Look what arrived in the post.

I collected it from our mail box as I wheeled the pram in the gate from ballet class.

I'm not the dancer - the wee girl is...although I felt like I had danced the Nutcracker ...aptly titled (or should it be renamed Ballbreaker). Yes Ballet. We got to class. Got Edie changed to the dulcet cries of Tavish. Picked up Tavish ... wet through. Changed Tavish ... no replacement leggings ... wrap up in nappies return to pram. Arlo crying. Feed Arlo. Cradle Arlo whilst trying to fill out forms and slot envelope through window. Edie finished. Get Edie in trackies and shoes. Coax Edie out door. Push pram home. Collect mail. Sit on couch for breather. Wait 30 secs. Arlo and Tavish wake...Get up, rock pram whilst opening mail. Open interesting parcel....

Aaaaah .... it was a lovely little piggy brooch I won in this wonderful giveaway over at chunkychooky. Thanks Cath. It made my afternoon. It is completely gorgeous. A petite porker. I love it. Oink! Visit Cath's shop here for brooches like it... or for her gorgeous softies ... head here.

Niche - All Wrapped up

2010-08-13T14:45:00.003+10:00

I hadn't really meant to sew much for Niche ... but I saw that spotted fabric at Fresh Fabric in Deloraine and it got my mind racing. The red was in my stash. I just love bright dresses. I felt all inspired again. I had a cheeky two hours up my sleeve, off parental duty. I woke up knowing I could be gloriously uninterrupted. That the house would be still, not a creature stirring. It is amazing how combinations previously undiscovered jump out at you when you have minutes, not seconds to peruse your fabric cupboard. I just love fabric. Stroke and love, stroke and love. It is amazing that I no longer take for granted the whirr of my sewing machine.

But ...back on duty now ... trying to get afternoon quiet time happening for the tired and grumpy small. Successful is not a word I would necessarily apply to the current situation in the Ministry of Small Affairs... but like my sewing ... we will no doubt get there... hopefully without as much political spin as we are seeing in the lead up to the current election ... but that is seriously debatable!

Alleluja

2010-08-12T16:38:00.003+10:00

Things to smile about:
1. Babyccinos with lashings of sprinkles which leave a chocolate smile
2. Visits from distant Grandads whose time is happily monopolised by the smalls.
3. Country drives that lull babies (and occasionally wee gals) into deep sleeps
4. Legal stimulants: latte, flat white, chocolate (chant with me, OM)

The return of Loz and Dinny at Niche.

2010-08-08T12:07:00.004+10:00

Loz and Dinny is back and jumping into the Market frey ... or rather dipping her toe in ever so slightly. I am heading back to the market Mecca that is Niche: All Wrapped Up. My things will be sharing a wee space with the most wonderful Black Eyed Susie; Sidling up alongside her luscious goodies with a few Loz and Dinny favourites. I am so incredibly excited. I've missed markets. I've missed being amongst it... you've heard me wax lyrical about Niche before here and here ... it's a keeper.

Niche will span two venues this time around. We will be in the Boathouse venue - just a short stroll across the bridge from Seaport. Come and say hi ... I'll be the one who looks a little windswept and interesting, and perhaps a little incapable of coherent and witty repartee.

* Remember that 20% of ALL sales go to St Giles. Join the Niche Facebook group here

Mr Frost

2010-08-07T11:33:00.001+10:00

There are benefits to sub zero, frosty, grey mornings ...

To zzzz or not to zzzz

2010-08-04T14:25:00.002+10:00

Conversation over morning coffee:

Gemma: (Sipping) Do you think we will ever sleep again?

Duncan: (Sipping) No. Not for at least another 3 years.

Gemma: (Gulping) Oh.

Duncan: (Reloading cafetiere) Mmmm.

Therefore strangely bypassing an opportunity to potentially grab some shut eye on the couch ... I instead decided that one of the guys would just wake anyway and that I may as well embark on some simple sewing therapy. The girl was out with her Gran. It was already cut out. It's a long overdue present for a very special friend's brood. It was straight forward and mindless and ... relaxing.

The buggars slept for 3.5 hours. Straight up. That Murphy and his law have much to answer for.

Crafty

2010-08-03T00:00:00.005+10:00

We like nothing more than a spot of craft around these parts (or kwaft if you are the small).
Craft of choice = "sticking". Crack out the clag, Mumma .. there's some glueing to be done. I love the concentration... envious really ... I'm lucky if I can concentrate long enough to remember why I have just gone into the loungeroom... or what exactly I was meant to buy from the shop when I'm standing in the dairy section... if only the hardest challenge we set for ourselves in a day was whether to run with the purple dots or red overlocker fabric trimmings...or whether to use the glue brush provided or upend the glue pot at will.

Sunday Smiles and Dress Ups

2010-08-01T11:31:00.003+10:00

Coming down from an ace night out. Delicious food. Wonderful company. Good Conversation (even if my contributions had a touch of the manic verbal diarrhoea about them - I get excited, OK? Not too bad though ... didn't pull out my ice-skating routine party trick in the private dining room ... I mean it was a 40th ... calls for some level of decorum, non?). No spew - check. No leaky breasts - check. Home to the babysitters playing cards whilst babies and small slumber - check. Now lazy Sunday morning helped along by freshly brewed coffee. Make that two....and dress ups. Sure a lie in after a cheeky 10 hour kip would have been the icing ... but then there are those smiles, eh?

A tale of baking and the cookie thief

2010-07-31T15:06:00.002+10:00

We've been hoeing in to our culinary work ... 'cause these babies are best when eaten straight from the oven ...whilst the other babies kip on the kitchen table. The biccies that don't get mowed down by us in the next couple of hours will make up part of a birthday pressie ... and the remainder will be left out for the babysitter.Yep ... babysitter AKA Loz ... we are going OUT... sans les enfants...with adults...no smalls...avec adult conversation and mascara and stuff. I even bought some new stockings to complete the couture...I know... HOT. Best get going and practice my whitty repartee in front of the mirror and remind myself to double check I'm leaving without leaking breast patches and spew down my dress...

Happy bloody Birthday

2010-07-30T15:04:00.005+10:00

No two days are the same and my man will never again be 36. Yesterday was his birthday ... and the day itself, from the outset, was a complete and utter muppet show. AFter restless baby sleepless night official birthday kick-off came at 6.45am at the arrival of the girl and given my last effort at meaty breakfast, I instead opted for the no fail sourdough toast with cold proscuitto for the birthday boy. I also delivered him coffee in bed - to a man that really looked like he should just be damned with the swallowing, and mainline it instead... Draped in babies, I propped him up on some pillows as the uber excited, jumping out-of-her-skin wee girl repeatedly sang 'happy birthday' in his ear (complete with hip hip hurrays) and asked him if he too would get a pink horsey cake and a pinata. Then came the presents. The above artwork by the wee girl entitled 'butterfly'.

...and I made this cover for a sketch book for the Architecture student!... just so he can rack up further street cred at having handmade pressies AND being a mature-aged student. The rest of the day is a blur - but let's just say the plates dropped, with babies that did not stop crying amidst cake baking and dinner cooking and pre-kinder afternoon and wee girl wrangling (when she decided the fuses her Dad took out of the car would look perfect as a decorating feature on the cake)... and the word frazzled didn't just refer to my hair that I don't believe I brushed that day - but I can't be sure ... nor can I be sure of any conversations I may or may not had during the day ... if I called you Shirley when your name is clearly Laverne ... I am truly sorry ...but a birthday is a birthday and must be celebrated ... even against all odds.
...but today ... today is but another day ... where babies apparently only wake briefly to feed and then return to slumber on my kitchen table (in their car capsules not on dinner plates or anything like that ... I wasn't THAT frazzled).

PS Happy Birthday lovely man xxx

Flashback Friday

2010-07-23T17:05:00.002+10:00

The Hyatt, Perth, School Ball, circa 1989. Identities are not disclosed in accordance with the Official Secrets Act, 1969, to protect the guilty. I stand accused of reckless use of watermark taffeta in the first degree; convicted of grievous bodily harm with overuse of hairspray and curlers; charged with fraternising with fellow wearers of ruched garments and striking cheesy poses learnt in grooming and deportment classes. Yep. That be moi. Guilty as charged. On location in a time where hotels thought it was still the height of classy to run with the pink and grey decorating colour scheme.

I'm playing along with Curly Pops ... we are clearly of the same vintage. Head over. Sign up. Post it. Get it out in the open. Embrace it. It's OK...we were young.

ps. I've embraced it so much I'm using it as inspiration!

Juggling Plates and Babies in lycra

2010-07-21T13:50:00.005+10:00

If I were to describe the sensation of caring for newborns twins I would liken it to that old circus favourite of juggling plates. I got the giggles the other night as I cooked dinner, ran to settle Arlo, settled Arlo, went back to dinner, went to settle Tavish, settled Tavish, went back to dinner, back to Arlo, rock Tavish, put puzzle piece in for Edie, settle Arlo, stir dinner, jiggle Arlo and Tavish etc... I got a fleeting vision of myself in natty lycra circus ensemble running down a row of spinning plates ... just making it spin again before it fell of it's rod - as the crowd oohs and aahs marvelling at my great skill and prowess in lycra (and immense bravery, given post-birth saggy bits revealed by aforementioned lycra). I'm still finding it humorous... will let you know when all plates fall at same time and I rip the arse out of my lycra suit ... figuratively speaking...

NB.. all plates are proof of the obsessive fetish I have for vintage crockery sourced from markets, op shops, relatives, gifts and wierd ass garage sales where they won't cough up ...

Leaving your (water)mark

2010-07-18T09:33:00.006+10:00

Here's a peek at the prototype for new designs (and big plans to get back to markets) - the idea was finally hatched in time for a weekend of parties. Apparently it had to be pink ... who is this child I have spawned? Why is she turning her back on a world of colour? Luckily I had this taffeta in my stash. 'Cause us children of the 80s just have that sort of stuff kicking around, no? Don't try and tell me you didn't embrace a bit of watermark taffeta action. It used to roll so easily of your tongue, along with hairspray, teasing, patent leather court shoe and elastic belt... and you have the ball/deb/formal photos to prove it (and not a tongue in cheek or nod to retro in sight). That was until you tried to hide the evidence at the back of the wardrobe in favour of grunge... and twirling doesn't work so well in flannelette shirt ... so taffeta it is. Keepin' it real ... keepin' it BIG...

Tall

2010-07-17T08:16:00.004+10:00

Long afternoon shadows on our walk home from town. Cries of "Look Mama, I'm tall!" as we played with the shapes cast by the sun. The air filled with winter chill, but warmed by the gorgeous sun - out in full force today. I love winters here. I love being out walking again. The boys sleep peacefully in the pram and the girl and I get to play ... except when I have to coax her home. This was the end to a wonderful day.... a wonderful day, well, because I got coifed.

With the regrowth of a forest, post bushfire and more roots than a panda - I decided that newborns or no newborns - it was time to get me to a hairdresser. After 8 months - there ceases to be a way in which to part your hair, or put it up that hides either white hair or regrowth. I am notoriously bad at putting my hair down the list of important things to attend to ... but when your own reflection is scaring you ... hmm...

So now I am sporting a do that enables me to 'flick, flick, whatever' if, perchance, the moment called for it.

Oh and as a curious aside ... My hairdresser was a former member of the band 'Kids in the Kitchen'. And for a girl of my vintage ... that counts as a rockstar moment - take 'em when you can.

Flannelette Beauty and the Sleepover

2010-07-14T16:45:00.003+10:00

Not too many words tonight. Just a snap shot of a gift for each of the wee lads of two most beautiful flannelette quilts made by this wonderful friend. Overwhelmingly gorgeous. Thank you Suse xxx.

and ... Dunc and I are at a loose end tonight with no bedtime routine to carry out for this small - she is off on her first ever sleepover ... at Grandma Loz's ... unplanned - they just decided on a whim when they were out for the day together - who am I to stand in the way of a delicious pyjama fuelled adventure? PJs and Dinny rabbit packed. You never know - we might get withdrawals and find ourselves taking turns to read each other books and tuck each other in after singing a tune or two.

Big Enough

2010-07-12T09:56:00.003+10:00

Just now it sunk in. As I watched my wee girl strain on her tippy toes and artfully open the pantry door ... it occurred to me ... she can reach. I am sure it is not a today thing. I am sure she's done it before. But today was the first time I really acknowledged it; let it ooze into the gaps of a foggy mind...she is big enough to reach. So amidst waves of nostalgia for the little (and clearly shorter) baby she was, I retrieved the requested 'corn biccies' and watched her dance of into our front room. Her achievements are beginning to become the milestones by which I mark time and marvel at how fast it seems to pass.

Now for a little rearranging - because explaining why munching out on raw potatoes* is not really a goer is clearly going to lose its shine... as will be the conversation that the hundreds and thousands in Mum's cooking container are not for inhaling...

*Mental note ... must remember to feed small!

Score

2010-07-10T17:59:00.004+10:00

It's been a while since I hit the op shops 'round these parts. But with 3 x smalls loaded in the pram and a sunny day to roll through I popped my head into a couple of the locals. I was not in the mood for rummaging so when this fabric appeared on the top of a pile - I knew it was meant to be ... I have big plans for this nylonesque beauty ... oh yes - it does indeed have a touch of the 'post lawn bowls carnival do' special yet psychodelic frock about it ... but I have a vision that goes beyond the matching blue rinse...

On an equally sunny day last week we loaded up Harriet the HD with our precious cargo and took a drive south to Cambell Town - for no other reason than to check out the new-ish Redbridge Cafe and Providore in the gorgeous once antique store - now food packed extravaganza complete with open fire by which to eat your goodies. We picked up some of these fine looking quinces (un-furry...intriguing) which have now been made into one huge slab of quince paste that should see us out the year until next season ... I'd like to claim the applause for it - but it's Dunc's domain...

Back on the Crafty Wagon

2010-07-04T09:56:00.004+10:00

I haven't touched my sewing machine for months. Maybe even since before Christmas. No urge. But since Arlo and Tavish burst onto our family scene there have been strange rumblings from deep within ... small whispers in a dusty part of the brain where one stores one's ideas ... and despite limited sojourns into REM sleep patterns ... it seems these whispers have become shouts. So when we got a ticket to the hottest par-tay in town ... it was time to make some room on the kitchen table and start cutting. I was even able to focus through 'chinese water torture-like' questioning of the small 'what are you doing?' 'why?' 'what colour do you like?' 'why?' 'what are you doing?' 'why?'(repeat x infintiy and beyond...you get the picture).

Inspiration started at the vintage fabric detail of the man in the basket ... I thought my minarets where very middle eastern in appearance - but the architecture student said they may lean more toward the iron curtain. Doesn't he know ric rac is so persian?? I mean what else did the Murghal empire edge their carpets with? Now to giveth the gift and eat cake for lunch ... I love a first birthday.

Heirloom

2010-07-03T10:50:00.005+10:00

When Loz found out I was pregnant with Edie, a craft beast awoke within... the new babe would need her very own crocheted blanket. But she came to the sudden realisation that the keeper of the dark Nanna art of crocheting was her Aunty Daph - the elder sister of my Nan, Dinny. She had long since passed away and left her legacy of loved brightly coloured blankets which covered our laps throughout my childhood. A gap had appeared; a glaring hole; a dropped stitch in the chain. These modest heirlooms so associated with one woman that noone had thought that there would come a time where someone else would have to pick up the mantle. So Grandma Loz did. She ran with it. She called on the help of crocheting friends. She channelled the granny within and granny squared it up. She selected colours and got her hook moving. Edie now has her own bassinet and cot blanket - her own heirlooms - most treasured gifts. ... and this week Arlo and Tavish were each presented with their own ... names embroidered to boot... that will one day shift from cot to lap when they are cosying up on the couch. Thanks Loz xxx

Triptech

2010-06-29T23:08:00.002+10:00

Still here. Week five. Getting the hang. Sleep deprived but getting a handle on this juggling act. We can't remember what you are meant to do when with babies. We don't care. It comes back in snatches. Dunc is on holidays and we have pyjamas on. We have a triptech, a trio, trois enfants. Week Five of being a family of five - of joining a club of less parental hands available than those of your offspring...of turning around in your car and seeing the bank of capsules and carseats stacked in your vintage Holden and laughing at how cruising has changed a little in meaning...

When 3 became 5

2010-05-29T19:14:00.002+10:00

They arrived.

Arlo (on right) 8 lb 1 oz @ 11.52pm Monday 24 May

and

Tavish (on left) 7lb 7 oz @ 00.11am Tuesday 25 May

Two gorgeous boys. Two separate birthdays

Genius.

Finding space

2010-05-24T05:31:00.004+10:00

I'm having one of those early morning moments - not a bad sleepless, must chew over those things we cannot change kind of moments - instead one of those precious, time stolen in the wee hours whilst the house slumbers kind of moments. In the quiet the important things seem to rise to the surface.

One of the things I have felt most anxious about lately is my wee precious girl and how she will find her feet in our soon to be expanded household. How do I help her carve out her place? To let her know that my precious, independent, creative, loving, stroppy, humour filled, sensitive, adventurous, sparkly electric, wee banshee is still just amazing and much loved in her Mama's eyes and has a firm, unwavering place in her heart. I am constantly questioning whether I'm up to it, you know, this mothering malarky? But I know this is just prebirth jitters, right? Because as a friend once told me ... just when you think it can't be possible to feel any more, the heart just expands to make room for the new love you are overwhelmed with when new bairns arrive.

Just feeling reflective that's all. It must really suck to have a Mama that can no longer get down on the floor to do puzzles - or take you for long walks and adventures. Whose dancing repetoire has shrunk considerably and no longer includes lifts and vigorous wiggling. Who no longer has a lap to sit on. Guess the escalation in tantrum throwing is justified when you look through smaller eyes. Guess she is looking forward to their arrival as much as me ... she is just sure that they should be careful not to break my belly button when they are coming out... who am I to shatter her visions of possible baby exit points?

No questions that haven't been asked by millions of mothers before me - just my question to ponder at this moment...

My Wee Gal Turns 3

2010-05-23T15:08:00.003+10:00

The wee gal turns three today. So hard to grasp that she has been turning our world on its ear for three whole years. Last Saturday we had the birthday party complete with friends, park and requested pink horsey cake and horsey pinata. Dunc and I stayed up to midnight perfecting the cake... parental dedication at the fore when driven by guilt that possible arrival of newborn gatecrashers could rain on birthday parades. We thought we better have a 'just in case' party - before the date - in case the babies decided to appear. But we have made it to the actual day - so after a lovely morning of opening presents jetted down from the interstate fam ... we have partaken in fish and chips and a text book sponge birthday cake by Loz. Edie is confused 'What you mean I get two birthdays??'. Don't get used to used to this kind of treatment, man! So now I am just keeping my legs crossed so I don't have to commit myself to a lifetime of three birthdays on one day... because that would be a little outrageous, non? So in answer to your possible questioning ... as of now I am still firmly up the duff... although a weird old man's shuffle complete with comfy trackies and cardi are all I can muster. Aaaaaah pregnancy - so glamorous, so chic and given the veritable road map of stretch marks that almost meet my decollage - I'm guessing my agent won't be lining me up with a shoot in the Bahamas for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. Such is life. I'm OK with that.

Footless

2010-05-16T11:05:00.003+10:00

At 37 weeks, when you can no longer see your own feet ... enlist the help of others.

Autumn

2010-05-02T16:06:00.004+10:00

The days are getting shorter and the shadows longer and a chill has returned to the air heralding that winter is lurking around the corner. Time to nest and snuggle; to bunker down and enjoy the beautiful warm sunny days and the chilly autumn nights - perfect for pyjama couch action and lap rugs. To marvel at impossibly Enid Blytonesque toad stools at local parks - that make you prod them to make sure someone hasn't just popped a ceramic folly to trick you.and to wonder at a growing belly that has seen you through to 35 weeks and will hopefully hang in there for a couple more!
... and already missing your sister as she sails back to Melbourne. More on that visit soon xx

Ah Mother's Day

2010-04-26T18:36:00.004+10:00

I'm thinking that clearly (from the images below) I qualify for this fantastic competition over at {KID} independent. With one wee bairn almost three and two others slow cooking nicely in my personal aga oven ... I thought I would put my hat in the ring for the rather choice selection of goodies on offer.

24 Weeks - oh so relaxed at Binalong Bay34 Weeks

And as I think about the impending change in my motherhood stats ... I thought it was about time I documented my, well ... personal growth. I haven't chopped my head off for any other reason other than I know you just want the money shot ... just how does one get two in there - especially when your friendly ob tells you 'these are very fat babies'. (They are currently about 6 pounds each) - answer you s...t...r...e...c...h! Still feeling very good - and when I take Edie to swimming lessons tomorrow I will do my best impersonation of a tortoise from the Galapagas Islands- because it makes my wee girl laugh and that my friends is music to my ears.

But competitions aside ...I was really happy to be directed to the {KID}independent site - as it seems they are people after my own heart ...

"We’re basically a bunch of arty types with a love of all things handmade, vintage, sustainable, limited edition and independent. We crave products that are born from the hands of an artist, the heart of a loving mother, the mind of a talented designer, or the soul of an interesting character…
The creativity behind this blog comes from inspirational conversations among friends. We run this blog in between long nights, crazy mornings, tears + tantrums, smiles + giggles and the occasional glass of wine + kilo of chocolate."

and no joke ... Just as a put that quote in my husband came and shovelled some chocolate into my mouth ... true love!

A call to Bear Tea Arms!

2010-04-22T18:30:00.006+10:00

Image via here

Ok people - a little invite to supprt local and fairtrade - and feel all smug when you sit down to enjoy your next cuppa. Just went to have a little peek at the lovely Tara's Blog and found this.

This is from Corinne Noyes, The founder of Madame Flavour Teas:

"This morning I make my way to Fujian province to spend a week with our green and white tea growers discovering firsthand the tradition and wonderful variety of Chinese tea.I am troubled though and writing to ask for your support.You may have heard that the Woolworths/Safeway tea buyer recently left. Their entire range will now be reviewed with a view to deleting teas not selling enough according to their corporate requirements.We have grown over 100%, but as a small business, Madame is vulnerable.On the 19th of April, I have a meeting with the new buyers to present our wonderful teas and the difference they make.Between now and then, I ask that you show your love of Madame Flavour by; no other way to put it: buying and spreading the word as you never have before.To thank you for your continued support, I am excited to invite 10 Kindred Spirits to High Tea at The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne. To join me, I ask that you mail me your Madame Flavour buying and spreading the word story of 25 words or less. I will chose the winners May 30th and publish them and the High Tea date in my next newsletter.This could make all the difference in the wonderful story we have to tell when we look back 20 years from now at these early days.Thank-you for your passion and generosity in our shared adventure. I will let you know how I go.Kindest RegardsCorinne - owner and founder"

Image from Tales from the Travelling Teacosy

I know it is a little past the 19th April but it couldn't hurt to descend upon your local woolies and exercise a little consumer muscle and clock one up for the little but ethical guy, non? I love the Green Jasmine and Pear variety... ever since Eve Craft Princess brought some round for afternoon tea. More about Madame Flavour can be found here.

Nest

2010-04-07T21:52:00.002+10:00

A happy Easter break around here is one where you finally tick things off lists. Upstairs is a list like Tetris. Big tick number one - finally finishing Edie's room so we can get her into the big girl's bed, get the bed out of the nursery to get that all set up and Edie's old cot in there and her old cupboard etc. etc. etc. blah blah blah.

I am so pleased with how her wee room has turned out. I'll walk you through the bits and pieces. The bed cost $20 from an oppie - came up a treat with the paint. The cupboard came from a second hand store and looks so much better painted. The pram in the corner was my Mum's when she was a little girl, then ours and now Edie's. My sister, who had never really sewn in her life whipped up that quilt and presented it to me at my baby shower - it is one of my favourite things. The puppets on the walls were collected in Dunc and my travels through India and Nepal - formerly known as the 'footloose and fancy free years'.

Tomorrow Dunc is back at Uni so I am going to attack the nursery and finally feel that if I went into labour tomorrow it wouldn't catch us with our pants well and truly down in the organisation department.

Got to head upstairs to check on my wee girl in her first night in her big girl's bed. Hope your Easter break was grand.

Out

2010-02-25T07:22:00.004+11:00

I woke up with a need for air. Edie and I took off for an adventure. A country drive that ended up wonderfully aimless until I remembered that there was a blueberry jungle just waiting to be explored. The excitement in the small made me smile. Fresh air can give some clarity, no? Out is good.

Now to convert them into these muffins. They are super tasty and super easy - I add a bit of cinnamon as well... oh and add lovely friends for best results xxx

Where We're At

2010-02-22T16:35:00.002+11:00

Just as Ben Harper is want to croon "If you don't like my fire, then don't come around...", so do we hum "If you can't talk about poo and wee and toilets and big girl's pants, then don't ...". If you need a conversation starter, we thoroughly recommend the following text books. Enjoy.

Everybody Poos by Taro Gomi

Little Beauty by Anthony Browne

The Story of the Little Mole who knew it was None of his Business by Werner Holzwarth/ Wolf Erlbruch

Harvest

2010-02-18T08:50:00.002+11:00

Aaaah. Our first harvest of Euro plums from our wee tree. Only planted 2 years ago - we are dead chuffed with our yield. Like giving birth but without the contractions and ensuing sleepless nights. And you get to eat them. And in the quaint circles I move in, it's not considered OK to eat your real newborn. Not even a cheeky dabble in cannibalism.

Been-a-long...

2010-02-15T08:18:00.003+11:00

Nothing seems more Tasmanian than heading to 'the shack' for a beach weekend. So getting an invite from the Black Eyed Susie Clan for a getaway dose of sun, sand and sea was irresistable. So we headed ... to one of the world's best. Not even a lack of sun can deter you from sucking in the spectacular beauty of Binalong Bay - Bay of Fires - especially when the sky is a spectacular display of Billowing clouds that kindly didn't rain on us. This place never fails to blow me away. Our wee ones were in ecstasy.

Shell collecting:

Beach Combing:A little architectural sand construction:
Time with the Daddy:

and burying legs in mermaid tails:

How can one night feel like one week? Thanks so much Suse, Sam, Chloe and Arj. xxx

PS Happy Valentines Day xxx

Returning to level

2010-02-12T17:48:00.002+11:00

Alright. I have some explaining to do. I've been absent from blogland for a long time. AWOL. In absentia. Adrift. Away. Otherwise engaged. Nothing serious. Just pregnant. And up until the New Year hideous with it. Nauseus and tired and all weepy like. You know the drill. But it seems there was a reason for its added intensity. An intensity that saw me draw the shutters. Roll back the drawbridge. Put up the 'do not disturb' sign. Hide my light under a bushel. Take it reaaaaal slow and quiet.

It's a pair. A duo. Partners in crime. A coupla. Twice in one go ... you know? Twins.

... and it seems they're boys.

The initial hysteria, panic and wave of disbelief has passed. As has the uncontrollable laughter. We're in for the crazy ride. Dunc responded as any self respecting father-of-twins-to-be should and ripped out our kitchen... before, for and after Christmas. I have developed a penchant for storage solutions: chests of drawers, low boys, shelving, boxes, cupboards, urns, vats, silos...

It also appears I am in the painting phase of the pregnancy.

Thanks for all your concerned emails and comments. I'm 23 weeks - I feel human again. Just very round human.

Sydney here we come

2009-10-30T12:44:00.002+11:00

Here on Sunday. I will be the one with bags under my eyes and a dishelleved appearance. If I sound a little monosyllablic I apologise in advance. xx

Blogtoberfest Day 13: to cruise is sublime

2009-10-13T07:55:00.002+11:00

When feeling a little chilly and not 100%. Load favourite wee girl in favourite old girl and drive. Go for a cruise to Evandale Market and then out into the country to see this lovely girl. The warm sun through the untinted windows and the smell of vinyl, still like new, warms the cockles. In 11 years I have never got tired of this simple driving pleasure in 'Harriet' ... and when I hear my wee girl say "I love Harriet" I know she understands too ...

Blogtoberfest Day 8: the panic sets in

2009-10-08T21:38:00.003+11:00

I am dreaming of turning up here naked, with no stock, up on stage and my voice won't come out, trying to run away and being glued to the floor... you know - just those harmless pre event, nervy jitters you get once in a while... if you are up in Sydney .. drop in say hi - bring valium or scotch.

Blogtoberfest Day 7: Birthday Booty

2009-10-07T16:49:00.003+11:00

My birthday came and went. I am now closer to 40 than 30. I'm OK with that. Rock and roll around here is not a mosh pit, it's more dancing to mary had a little lamb ... with butterfly dancing shoes - apparently the only kind you can dance in. Thought I would share some of the beautiful gifts which came my way ... lucky gal. Vintage tin (Loz brought it for me from here when my back was turned), beautiful vintage Owl salt and pepper shakers and a black eyed susie brooch, thanks Suse. A surprise gift from annie - her handmade soaps, and a gorgeous coconutty candle and some retro toes created by Peg and Kate... snazzy. And those apooki earrings? I won them in a giveaway and they arrived near my birthday - with hair clips - cool huh? I am also the proud owner of a shrug. I'm so foxy in it I have to beware of hunting dogs and riders in red coats ... more vintage finds soon x

Gigposters: Blogtober Day 6

2009-10-07T09:42:00.002+11:00

Dirk Fowler Gig Poster courtesy of here

I am mad for printmaking. It has been a long standing fetish of sorts. A beautiful world which for some time I have stood on the edge of gazing in - going 'oooh, aah, mmm'. Dunc and I bought a few posters at a gigposter exhibition SubScreenSonic I that I worked on in another life - including the one above - by letterpress artist Dirk Fowler of F2 Design fame. We also bought a whole stack from another letterpress lovely Bryce McLoud from Isle of Printing, which shamefully are still waiting to be framed after almost four years! I could wax lyrical about some of the amazing artists out there producing art in this area ... but go here - the world of gig posters, now largely an American phenonomen is mind blowing... I love that there are secret worlds everywhere, my friends.

PS. Blogger wouldn't let me upload last night!!! aaah! I'm behind again!

a small ode

2009-10-05T22:38:00.002+11:00

This is a small ode to the things we hold dear.
The immeasurable.
The loved.
The things that hold us when we hold them.
The voice that greets us each morning
The goodnight
The I love you
The familiar
The hand in mine
The gentle reminder that nothing has meaning without the small things

Off the Blogtober Vagon

2009-10-05T09:54:00.003+11:00

A sensational day at the market = content but exhausted Gemma who falls asleep shortly after putting wee girl to bed ... on the couch 5 minutes into Midsommer Murders no doubt making small bear noises and drooling on own dressing gown. Glamour folks is just an integral part of my life.

So as couch induced slumber is not conducive to blogging - I missed my third day of Blogtoberfest blogging - so lucky you ... I'll post twice today!

Thank you to all and sundry who came to the market and those of you who said hi!! I had such a wonderful day at one of the world's friendliest and loveliest markets (Thanks Bec, Shannon and Holly xx)... worth the drive and the earlier kick off for daylight savings xx

new things

2009-10-03T21:06:00.002+10:00

I promise that my next post will be somewhat more spicy, fruity and inspired for Blogtoberfest. Until then - have a cheeky peek at what other may peruse at the market tomorrow. Knackered - but the car is packed for our 6am (real time 5am) departure. Sundays should be for sleep ins ... just not whilst you are driving! Off to bed for required beauty sleep. Aufweiderzein pet.

In The Market for...

2009-10-02T20:52:00.003+10:00

I'm heading here this Sunday. Will have lots of new stuff because I have been working like a maniac and Loz has been helping out in the sweatshop ... it's good to have a Loz in your life.

So despite Blogtoberfest ... I will be a little incoherent until, lets say Monday afternoon. But if you come say hi between 10am and 3pm this Sunday at the Masonic Hall, Sandy Bay, Hobart - I promise I will string a few sentences together which may or may not have you walking away going 'Huh?'. I love a cheeky little trip to the capital ... even if it is an hour earlier wake up time with the onset of daylight saving. All good.

Blogtober Fest ... I'm off

2009-10-01T17:58:00.002+10:00

Let the Tinniegirl's Blogtoberfest begin. I am going to do my darndest to keep up this blogging malarky for the whole month of October! Been thinking about the whole German influence and realise that it is a culture that has been delicately interwoven in our lives. I could almost claim citizenship. How?

1. I have spent a lot of time in Germany ... well not exactly in the country .. rather in transit in Frankfort Airport. We were so busy playing travel scrabble ... that by the time we realised we should be boarding, we also realised we were in the wrong terminal. Yep we were those bastards who get on the plane when everyone else is seated and waiting to get clearance for lift off! ... there is another story with the German Flight Attendant - but I will leave that for another time.
2. I love sauerkraut. Could eat it every day. Edie loves it too. We are all over the sauerkraut like a rash in our family ... even contemplating having a crack at making our own. Apparently it a very stinky process. I am not deterred. I am a mother. Stinky is a part of what I do. daily.
3. Despite shifting schools for my final year of primary school and thus not getting to study German - I can still count to 10 and say goodbye ... almost fluent you would say. The fact that I can say Danke Schoen is down to Ferris Bueller. Auf Weiderzein may be down to The Sound of Music.
4 I have flown Lufthanza. Twice.
5. I still dream of the lederhausen I picked up and then put back at Evandale market a few months ago. I should have gone with the gut and bought them. Every family needs a pair of lederhausen. I know Dunc would have protested ... but if he just gave them a try he could see that they are hot.
6. I love Cabaret.

That's it. Bring on the blog

and the universe shall decide ...

2009-09-30T18:47:00.003+10:00

Faced with a seemingly impossible decision - I have done what I do best - reached for my favourite tea cup ... but instead of making myself a cuppa, I diligently wrote the names of all the Loz and Dinny Fringe Challenge participants on strips of paper in my bestest handwriting. You see I came over all stressed ... I couldn't decide and then it dawned on me ... it's not because I'm a Libran .. it's just, well, I loved them all. You can't compare apples with pears. You can't judge a superhero outfit against a cowboy. You can't distinguish between a tot, a bag and a purse. You can't shed light on a lampshade or a crown or a rosette. It is against the laws of algebra ... gotta group the x's with those y's. So I decided the best method was to pop those diligently written paper strips that Mrs Bailey my Year 5 teacher would have given me a lead pencil award for ... and I got the small to draw out the winner...

Kylie ... your pressie will be winging its way to you on Monday.... and I just want to take a moment to say thank you all and sundry for taking part in my humble challenge - I have just loved it and am secretly planning another one ... watch this space... BIG CRAFTY LOVE to you all xxx

The Loz and Dinny Fringe Challenge Wrap Up!

2009-09-29T21:44:00.002+10:00

Thank you all and sundry for your birthday wishes - I can't tell you how much fun it has been seeing all the amazing entries in this challenge - all I could see when I looked at this fringe was lions and horses ... thus I tackled a hobby horse with inspiration from here. Sure he needs a few finishing touches but this afternoon I was surprised with a a veritable plethera of unexpected birthday visitors ... who spoilt me ... and to all the crafty wee crafters who took part - you have spoilt me with such amazing creativity, wit and just plain luscious eye candy. Want the wrap up? Here's what's in:

Isis made the most beautiful of rosettes - divine!

Mrs Smith, the craft minx, lit up my world with the kitsch lampshade that went 'straight to the pool room'

Minimon - our international entrant - came up with this beauty and this colourful gem- gorgeous

Myrtle and Eunice produced this classy bag and managed to use the challenge to justify a special fabric buying trip... artful, Tania - nice work!!

Kylie over at 3 Sheets partnered the trim with a found vintage bedspread for a match made in heaven ... and embroidered too! So fancy and droolworthy (The toast with a tea cup of gin was icing!)

Curly, I mean Superpops' entry gave me a serious early morning belly laugh waking up to her entry - it can fit in the handbag for quick change in any crafting emergency!

My Black Cardigan came up with the sweetest and most inventive idea! The crowns are just adorable!! I want one!!

Little Red Clog has excelled in making a gorgeous bag - love the blue, woo hoo!

Clutterpunk recycled some little girls jeans to make the pants any cowboy would salivate over - yeeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaaa! Her post is hysterical!

and the ever wonderful Willy Wagtail produced three treats: the most beautiful patchworked bag, a brooch and a wacky grumpy old man purse ... no need for doubt my friend - you are a gifted crafter xx

I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed this whole challenge malarky. I have absolutely no idea how the hell I am going to pick a winner (not of the nasal variety - that would be a cinch). So I am going to do what any birthday gal should do ... I am going to sleep on it. Only divine intervention is going to separate any of these ... and your enthusiam for the challenge has been a really special birthday treat! Big Crafty Love to you all xx ... until tomorrow ...

Giveaway Challenge Looming ...

2009-09-27T13:03:00.003+10:00

Alrighty - I realise I have been very lackadaisical about posting and keeping everyone up to date with this challenge! So those of you crafting away with some fringe like mine (and hers) ... then you just need to email me your pic of your crafted masterpiece by 10pm on Tues 29th September ... (gemma@lozanddinny.com.au ) or if you prefer - blog about it and send me the linky link ...then I will go into veritable conniptions trying to pick a winner (not of the nasal variety). I think I will have to enroll the assistance of someone impartial ... because I'm a Libran ... I have trouble making decisions ... and I'm already loving everyone's so far - have you seen this one? or this one?- and and and ... breathe!!!
and mine? Ok - so I will be the one pulling a last night job on this one ... I know ... I just have to find a hot glue gun and she'll be apples. Plus Tuesday is my birthday - I'll be able to complete it with a cocktail in my hand ;)

Edit: Another one here - fresh off the press

Dove with olive branch required - apply within

2009-09-22T14:02:00.002+10:00

I am starting to feel a little like I should be building an ark and starting to gather up the neighbourhood pets in pairs. I have even let my mind wander as to which chook I would leave behind - or do I have to choose but one and find a rooster? It's not that I don't love rain ... it's just that there has been an awful lot of it... and each time the drops fall Dunc says "If only we had a rain tank - it would be full by now" - which can get a little repetitive when it has rained for close on 40 days and nights down here ... I love rain - but the cheeky, beaut, spring, sunny day yesterday, when I got out in my garden and weeded and planted reminded me that a little variation in weather can lift the soul ... anyways Brown Owls tonight ... can wait to bind me book with Isis. Local? Interested? Just rock up ... all details here - don't be shy ... we are all friendly craft nerds (if I can speak for myself as well as others hmm...)