little tree bird

In a quiet moment

2011-08-25T12:22:00.000+10:00

Introducing Little A, the newest addition to the household...

Picture love

2011-03-09T09:16:00.000+11:00

There are so many pictures and prints that I would love at the moment. I have been wandering down to Salamanca the last few Saturdays and flicking through the prints at some of the photography stalls, mentally hanging them in places around my house.

I've also been cyber collecting. Looking through blogs and design sites for more hanging joy. I tend to leave tabs open on my browser with them in it, always meaning to go back at some stage and purchase them, I think it drives Big V insane a bit to have so many tabs open but it's a kind of 'trying on' exercise. It's the same one I use when I go clothes shopping. I pick up a few items, try them on and if I like them at that stage I'll walk around the shop browsing with them over my arm and just let it sink in a bit and if I still want them they get bought. Many times they have gone back on the rack so I figure it saves on wasteful purchase and stops me from impulse buying.

Here's a few cyber prints I'm keen on at the moment.

link

a Catherine Holm inspired print by Handz's shop on Etsy

link

A print by danbobthompson on Etsy

link

Land of Ampersand by The Wheatfield

They are all a good price but I have been curbing my wallet workouts lately for a few reasons. We are looking to move so penny saving is definitely on the cards and I'm sure I don't need anymore stuff to cart to a new house. I also have prints that I have not hung yet so I'd only be adding to my 'to do' pile which is already big enough!

Flower sugar giveaway over at Retro Mummy

2010-12-19T18:52:00.000+11:00

This is quite a huge giveaway I must say. Twenty fat quarters of the entire Flower sugar range by Lecien are up for grabs. Just head on over to Retro Mummy's blog and you'll find all the details there.

photo care of Retro Mummy

If only there was a giveaway for more free time so I could actually sit down and do something with it!

Number one on the wishlist!

2010-12-18T08:55:00.000+11:00

Anyone who knows me knows I love books. One day I would love to have floor to ceiling bookshelves, maybe even with a sliding ladder! Lately I haven't had that much time for reading the books I like. It's mostly been 'The Gruffalo' or 'I know a Rhino' and books about shapes and colours, alphabet and numbers, all for a good cause of course but I am hanging out for a good read that is not in rhyme and lasts longer than the odd magazine flick in the bathroom (sometimes it's the only place you get a bit of peace!).

Browsing through a few gift idea blogs to get some suggestions for others (I swear!) I came across the most amazing book and I WANTS! It is the 'Pictorial Webster's, a visual dictionary of curiosities'. It features over 1,500 engravings that were used in the Webster's dictionaries in the 19th century and they're fantastic!

Picture from here

I found it on Amazon as part of a deal where you also get some rubber stamps featuring some of the same pictures and a set of fancy flash cards to match. I already have one of the flash cards, the letter V which I found in Store & Co a while back so it would be nice to have the whole set. Now all I have to do is leave a browser window open featuring said find and hopefully Big V will take the hint!

Picture from here

Best Friends

2010-12-16T09:18:00.001+11:00

Little G has these two figurines, one is an echidna and the other is a rabbit. She tells me that they're best friends and then shows me how they kiss and hug. She often asks me to take photos of them and she'll arrange them and then stand back and say cheese waiting for me to take the photo.

Echidna and Rabbit having a cuddle

She takes them on trips around the house, often using her shoes for their cars. She makes little tents under chairs for them to sleep and will rush off to the washing pile bringing back some socks or face washers for them to use as sleeping bags and blankets. She shares her food and drink with them, making little eating and drinking noises when it's their turn. When we go to the car she'll ask where they are and then want them to sit with her in her seat.

It's the coolest.

A good day

2010-12-14T19:29:00.000+11:00

Our weather of late has been a bit hit and miss. In true Tasmanian fashion you either get glorious sunshine or an absolute downpour sometimes within minutes of each other. This makes me very hesitant to go for bike rides in case I get caught out and have to be a poor bedraggled thing peddling madly to get home, not to mention that I'd also be toting an even more poor bedraggled thing in the seat behind me. I'm sure Little G would not appreciate a cold soaking.

This pic is not actually from today but it is us!

Today we thought we'd chance it. We left quite early and headed off to Nutgrove park and made it there in record time. I love riding my bike but these days there doesn't seem to be as much time for stuff like that. My brakes had gotten a little squeaky, which shows it really has been a while since the last outing!

Only one mishap on the way back and luckily not a big one. Little G had been given a bikky to munch until we got back for lunch and I was peddling away when I head a little voice exclaim, "Oh no!" I stopped to see what was wrong and about five metres behind us was the bikky, I must admit I thought, "10 second rule?" and then considered how many dogs poo along this stretch of path and immediately dismissed it. Little G was not happy with the decision of course and the rest of the way home I could hear her saying, "Bye bikky, bye bikky." in the saddest of tones. Oh well, some dog or bird will get lucky.

In love with...

2010-10-20T12:55:00.000+11:00

This project table and stools especially for little people. It's made from plywood that is produced from a renewable species of Birch and is FSC certified and comes in a choice of four colours, all of which of equally lovely though I think I'm partial to the ~~green~~, ~~red~~, green.

Unfortunately I think it will be yet another penny saving exercise :(

Bike ride to the Park

2010-10-04T12:53:00.014+11:00

It is such a lovely day today. The perfect day for a bike ride to the park. Rosie, Pippy and I all donned our helmets and headed off down to Nutgrove to have some fun in the sun.

With the clocks moving forwards for daylight savings I really thought I'd have a bit of time to get back and have lunch with Pip before nap time, which usually is around 12:30-1pm. Here I was thinking she wouldn't be ready to go to bed until 1:30-2pm and surprise, surprise as soon as we got in the door she started fussing and grizzling for her dummy (a very sure sign of tirdeness!) so I put her to bed and within a few minutes it was lights out. Nothing like a good ol' bike ride to tucker her out! Ah, the serenity!

Long time no see

2010-09-29T22:59:00.000+10:00

Hello and hello. I haven't been in blog land for such a long time, to read or to write. There has been a huge amount going on in my life and I think (fingers crossed) that it's finally settling down. I have thought about being brave and blogging about it all but I'm not sure I'm quite there yet. I know I don't have to but I've never liked the fact that I have a tendency to shy away from difficult subjects as if they don't exist. One step at a time though, it's going to take more than a spare minute and those are in high demand at the moment.

However, I do not want to start blogging about poopy stuff when there is awesomeness to share! I finally picked up my new computers today. That's right! Computer times two! Woot! Woot!

We've done the deed and replaced our old chug-a-lug laptop and desktop. Big V is TOTALLY over the moon because it means he gets to play the new Starcraft game. I am over the moon because my old laptop was slowly but surely turning in to a big hunk of electronic poo. This new and shiny piece of joy has been made by magical genies and blessed by rainbow dwelling unicorns (they would have made as well as blessed but you know, hooves aren't great for delicate work). It runs like a dream and the keyboard has just the right amount of clickiness!

I am in love *sigh* and things are A-O-K.

image from here

A Pippy Post

2010-06-04T12:37:00.000+10:00

My little Pippy is not so little anymore. She's is now more a toddler and less a baby. It's happening so fast and of course they tell you it does but you don't see it until, well, you see it!

She's walking, running and jumping. Granted her jumping skills consist of her bobbing her head up and down and saying 'jump' whilst walking around but that's cool, ten points for effort I say :)

She talks to me. A lot. Her words are amazing and I'm always surprised at how much she retains. I can't wait until she strings a whole sentence together. The other day while changing her nappy she said 'careful!' which made me laugh but then I thought maybe I am being a little auto pilot, at least she can bring me back down now.

We sing songs together, which is mainly me singing every line and her singing the last word of each line but hey, she remembers and is mostly in tune. And she loves to draw and say her colours. I love it all.

I try and take her to the park as often as I can as we don't have a back yard and she absolutely loves it. Most mornings she will stand at the safety gate saying "Park! Park! Sea-saw! Seeeeea-saaaaw!" This park visit we went with Aunty Rosie and big thanks to her for bringing her camera to capture my not so little Pippy doing what she does best :)

Just for the record this coffee cup is empty, I am definitely not up for a caffeinated child!

Special Birthday

2010-04-24T12:30:00.000+10:00

It was Mum and Dad's birthday the other day, well the other two days seeing as they are a day apart :) This one was a special one for Dad. It was his eightieth! Mum and I planned for my brother to fly down from QLD for a surprise visit which I think is the best present ever because they only get to see each other once a year if that. My brother is not the best at organising trips!

Big V and I spent the morning cooking before we had to pick John up at the airport. It was pretty much the perfect day. We had great weather, crayfish and turkey for lunch and a yummo cheesecake for dessert. Passion fruit flavour; Dad's favourite. Dad was thrilled to see John as were we all. This is the first time John has met little G too so it really was an extra special visit.

After lunch we all had a go on the Wiifit for a bit of fun. The wiiboard told Dad his wiifit age was fifty eight and that he was in great condition. Dad took that as meaning he could have another piece of cheesecake. Ah, he cracks me up! But if the secret to long happy life is an extra piece of cheesecake every so often then dish me up, I'm all for it :)

Pippy Cuddles

2010-04-23T09:51:00.000+10:00

Little G is starting to take an interest in her cuddly toys and it's the cutest thing. I have come upon her feeding them with her spoon, plying them with cups of tea and even reading stories to them (in special gabble language of course!) But the best thing is when she cuddles them, pats and kisses them and carries them round with her. I love that my daughter knows how to do these things for it shows that she knows how to love and care for others and that means that Big V and I are doing something right!

MIA and pin cushion love

2010-04-22T13:34:00.006+10:00

I haven't blogged for the longest time and the trouble with that is life just keeps happening (thankfully!) and my 'to blog about' list keeps growing! So much has been going on I barely know where to begin...

I won't start at the top of my list though as I think I need to write this particular blog first. It is a thank you blog of sorts. I entered the pin cushion blog swap hosted by Kate over at Fox's Lane and have already received my swap. I have thanked the fellow blogger for her lovely pressie over on her blog but have not blogged about it myself so... here tis!

Thank you Briony, aka Freckled Sparrow over at little bon bon for this wonderful pin cushion. I love, love, LOVE little birds and green so this is such a perfect pressie for me :) I also got a pack of cute little buttons and a lavender pillow as extra treasure treats! Woohoo!

I also sent mine to Yardage Girl who has blogged a very nice thank you. I'm so glad she liked it, phew! I really enjoyed making them and even though I probably don't need to add more to my to do list, it was a great thing to be a part of such a cool swap and reach out to people in blog land. I'll definitely be signing up to do more swaps soon.

The two pin cushions I made for Yardage Girl. The one on the left is a simple stencil screen print and the one on the right is a half pear (I think half pears sit better than whole pears for pin cushions!) I also added some goodies just to make the package more pressie-like :)

Market find

2010-03-23T22:47:00.000+11:00

Browsing through the bric-a-brac stalls at Salamanca on the weekend I came across a very nostalgic find. When I was little we used to have this exact same mug and I would always want my morning cup of tea in it. I loved the feel of it, warm and snug in my hands. It fit so perfectly and felt so smooth. It's vintage Wade Irish porcelain which explains the smoothness!

Sadly one day the handle came off and my Mother said it was time to say goodbye to it so off to porcelain heaven it went *sniff*. I am so happy to have found another just like it and this one has (apparently) never been used! It still has the tag, so it could be true :)

Big V also reckons the mug rocks... I hope this means there'll be no fighting when it comes to cuppa time. I might just have to keep my eye out for another just in case!

Strawberry Shortcake

2010-03-22T19:29:00.000+11:00

Mon Pippy looking so strawberry shortcake.

Playing along with Meet me at Mikes: Five Faves

2010-03-22T00:53:00.001+11:00

I have so many favourite things, to pick five is a hard choice! Which category to choose from? I have favourite recipes, colours, people, things to do, things to make, places, numbers, movies, books, I mean you can see the dilemma. Ah, I think I'll just write them as they come to me. If you want to play along too then go to Pip's place at Meet me at Mike's to sign up :)

1. New tan leather boots.

Number one is a new favourite as I have only just acquired them but have actually been keeping an eye out for just the right pair for nearly two years now so this is why I love, love, love them!

2. The colour green.

This is not a recent fave, I have always loved the colour green. It always seems to be my first choice in a lot of things so I had been trying to give other colour choices a go but lately green is becoming dominant in my picks again.

3. Zucchini and bacon muffins (otherwise known as party quiche!)

I was introduced to this recipe by another new Mama who said it was da bomb for fussy eaters because it hid the veggies well. I'm pleased to say it works and is really moreishly delicious, I can see a lot of possibilities for variations too. I brought some out for afternoon tea with Rosie the other day and when she ate it she exclaimed that it was 'party quiche'! Apparently her sister used to make them for her kids and referred to it as party quiche so as not to alert them to the fact that it contained 'poisonous veggies'! Whatever works, I say :)

Recipe found here.

4. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

I think this would have to be one of my all time favourite movies. I first watched it when I was twelve on holidays in New Zealand, it was so surreal and such an incredible, fantastical tale. I used to think about it for years after and a while ago decided to watch it again to see if it still held the same magic for me. I'm pleased to say it did and more. Being older, I now understood some of the more subtle references that are often put in children's movies to amuse adults but fly right over the top of kiddie's heads. I was also pleased to find that it contained many of the actors that are still my favourites today; a real stellar cast.

This movie, five stars.

Mum and I having a chat at my wedding (and Dad looking kind of startled!)

5. My Mother.

Total corn I know but I was thinking about favourite people in my life and she is definitely one of them. Having just become a mother myself I have a new found appreciation of this wonderful lady in my life.

Did you know she NEVER told me I COULDN'T do anything? I'm not saying I had free reign, it was still very much 'don't jump on the sofa' or 'don't play footy in the hall', of course she told me NEVER to do those sort of things. I mean she gave me the belief that you could do anything, ANYTHING on this earth if you really wanted to. You could be a gymnast, a scout, an artist, play any sport, any instrument, basically undertake any task because all in life was for the learning.

She let me do such a crazy amount of activities when I was young and never complained if I switched from one to another or told me something would be too hard or beyond me. When I think about all the things she let me experience when I was young I am amazed she had the energy to ferry me from one place to the other and still be on time too! She has instilled in me a taste for learning and exploring and life never gets boring because there is always new things to do. Perhaps this is why I have many a half finished projects lying round the house but I don't care because most of the time it's the journey not the destination that contains the most fun :) Thanks for that Mum.

Possible addition?

2010-03-19T23:32:00.000+11:00

Today I was out at the Salvos with Rosie looking for an old picture frame to make a notice board when I came across a cabinet, fairly beat up but exactly what I had been searching for to put in the kitchen to store my big bowls, various serviettes and table paraphernalia. It is kind of 1950s style, two cupboard doors with two long drawers above it and best of all, on top is a flip up lid with a secret space inside!

Okay, not so secret but I love the treasure chest feel of it :)

Like I said it needs a fair bit of fixing. There are no draw bottoms for one! The outside will need some sort of touch up but whether that ends up to be a coat of paint or varnish I am not sure. I've also been tossing up with the idea of using wallpaper or fabric on the draw and door fronts... Hmmm, the possibilities!

Listen to me writing as if I have it already! The first order of business will be to try and talk Big Val around to the fact that we NEED this item of furniture, it's possible I may not function without it... and so forth. Well, I did try tonight and whilst he hasn't committed to it he said we could 'go and see it' tomorrow. I'm hoping that means it's as good as ~~mine~~ ours. PROVIDED that it's still there of course! Oh, please let it still be there!

Because I don't have a photo of the magical cabinet I will just put this picture up by artist Ben Kehoe. I have come across it a few times while surfing and each time I think it's awesome.

Acting Cockney

2010-03-19T08:50:00.000+11:00

Oi! You lookin' for some biff?

Presumed innocent

2010-03-18T08:36:00.000+11:00

Moi? Mess up all the folded clothes in the baskets? Pull down all the books from the book shelf? Post bits of food out the back of my high chair? Never!

Squiggly Flowers Bloomers

2010-03-17T13:26:00.000+11:00

Having been bitten by the sewing bug, I have started to build up a collection of lovely 'how to' books along the way. One of which is Lotta Jansdotter's 'Simple Sewing for Baby'. This book is filled to the brim with wonderful little projects, all at a nice easy starter level which is just perfect for a beginner like me!

I have had for a while now a piece of Saffron Craig's Squiggly Flowers in pink and green which I bought just because I liked it. I had no intention for it's use in mind at all until flipping through the book and finding a pattern for some cute little bloomers.

Little G has been living in Bloomers with this hot weather we've had so I thought it would be a great project to start off on my own with. I figured if I got into any trouble I could always take them with me to my sewing class and get help there if need be. But now I'm glad to say I needed no help at all :D Yay me! Well, Yay the book really ;) It's very easy to follow with it's step by step instructions and drawings.

So here its my little model wearing the finished product and looking very darling while at it. I also have enough material left to add to a dress or skirt which is the next home project on the list. So if all goes to plan, my Little Pipit will have a matching outfit soon. Fingers crossed!

wagon love

2010-03-16T11:39:00.002+11:00

When I was little I always wanted one of the little red wagons found in the pictures of kiddie books. They look just the ticket for toting round all things precious. Obviously now I am older t'would be unseemly to walk down the street with one rolling along behind me.

However, should I have a little tot to give a ride to (and luckily I do!) then owning a wagon could be a distinct possibility.

This is a modern update on the little red wagon by kaiku and happily for me, it has green bits; my favourite colour! There is also another model with all green sides but it doesn't have the cute little seats for cute little butts that are required for riding all round town :) There's a great write up on babyology.com about Kaiku's products, all very drool worthy!

Ahhh, this so could be G and me, out for our daily perambulation. I'll definitely have to save up to make this one a reality though, in the meantime, I still have my story books :)

images found from here.

Pin cushion swap

2010-03-14T02:18:00.000+11:00

I was talking to Bec the other day about my terrible habit of not finishing projects and how I love to leap frog from one new thing to the next, getting excited over something new and shiny and leaving half finished things all over the place.

I have on the go a chair to be painted and then planted for my balcony. A piece of lino waiting to be cut and then printed. Buttons waiting to be covered with fabric and used. A skirt for my niece. Some quick dry clay bought and never played with. Not to mention the blogs I haven't written, the list goes on! Don't even get me started on the list of PS3, Xbox and Wii games waiting for attention - yes Bioshock 2, I am talking about you. Big V is currently finishing his game of FFVII on the PS3 so it's not as if I can play at the same time anyway... So many things to do, how can anyone ever get bored!

Seeing as I have such a fad-ish nature, one of my New Years resolutions has been to stick to something once I begin it and I have to say, so far, I am doing ok. I have started a sewing course at Adult Ed and I am loving it. It is concentrated time on one task (block hours spent away from my little Pipit are a rare thing these days!) around people who are all busily crafting away which helps me focus on what I am doing because there is nothing to distract me and I am finding it really satisfying to make a creation that has a function.

I have only been to two classes so far and already I have made some cushions for my Mother (an exercise in sewing with zippers), a pair of reversible pants and a pair of bloomers for mon Pipit and a baby quilt for tiny Sascha. Next up will be a dress for me... the biggest undertaking so far. ULP!

Bring it on, I say! I feel like a regular Martha Stewart! (Not the prison bit, just the creative bit)

Anyway, all this has led me to commit myself to a pin cushion blog swap that Kate from Fox's Lane is hosting. I figure if I can already make big couch cushions then I can handle a couple of pin cushions here and there :)

I've started looking at some pincushion pictures online to get some inspiration and there are so, SO many out there! Who knew there were that many pins needing houses!

Here are some of my favourites.

Cute little bottle cap pin cushions from here.

Heather Bailey pin cushions pears from here.

A most awesome cactus pin cushion from here. Love this one a lot!

Little birds are always a winner for me :) Found here.

This one is the one that really takes the cake though.

Found at Doll: the art and craft of Miri Kirchner.

She does the most amazing tiny worlds all in tea cups, almost too good to stick pins in!

bleeeerg blog

2010-02-24T16:55:00.000+11:00

Haven't blogged for a while. Have wanted to but one thing or another always seems to get in the way. I even have a backlog of blog stuff too so it's not like I don't have anything to say, I just haven't done it yet.

Little G is down at Granny's today so perfect opportunity, only that washing pile is looking evil eye at me and I'm sure it's growing. On a steady diet of socks and undies, who wouldn't!

Ah well, a blog about not blogging is still a blog so there we go. It'll have to do until I defeat the evil wash pile monster.

'Get ye gone, evil garb! I shall vanquish thee with steam and fold you into a thousand tiny piles and wear you as I please!'

picture from http://www.svsuds.com/laundry%20pile.jpg

stealing away... tricky business!

2010-01-31T15:51:00.000+11:00

Hello, my name is Ruth. I am a part time co-sleeper. For all you non baby people out there, this doesn't mean that I sleep around, it means that I sleep with my baby. And when I say part time I mean that it's only from when she first wakes in the early morning around 4:30 - 5am.

I've found that since having mon Pippit a lot of people have a negative view about co-sleeping. A lot of professional baby people that is. I think they must have to say this as a matter of 'procedure' in case someone squashes their baby. Though, I think you'd have to be boozed up or on sleeping pills to do so! Well, I would anyway. It's like your senses go on red alert, you are SO aware of their smallness beside you.

Mission keep-baby-asleep successful!

I'll admit I get a better sleep on my own but there is something so lovely about snoogling in with your wee one that makes bad backs and dead arms all worth it! I normally try and sneak away when I next wake up around seven but she has clued onto this and has taken to sleeping with one leg thrown over me to make extricating myself all the more difficult. I think it's in the hope that she'll wake too and get to come along. Not that I ever mind but I do love my own little slice of morning time. Hot cuppa, checking emails or just cruising round the kitchen taking my time deciding what to have for brekkie. Me time, the stuff everybody needs occasionally.

Steele's Island Holiday

2010-01-28T22:38:00.004+11:00

I've just come back from a holiday at Steele's Island, Dodges Ferry with family and friends, it ended up being one long food and drink bonanza! Big V and I needed to sleep nearly the whole day when we got back!

Made some new friends; Leanne and Phil. Man, those guys make some pretty mean cocktails! Appletinis in the afternoon, followed by strawberry daiquiris, mojitos, bloody mary's plus other nameless creations. Not that we drank all the time by any means but it was nice to indulge in some very holiday style drinky-poos :)

Me fishing (obviously!)

Family fishing shot

another Family shot

Pippy playing pool

The Boys paying Harry highpants :D

The two Phils

The weather was so good we basically spent the days on the beach either fishing, swimming or just paddling up and down the shoreline. Little G LOVED the water, had absolutely no problem with the texture of sand or waves lapping up against her. She's a little beach babe for sure :)

Everyone pitched in for dinners and so we eat like Kings. The first night was settling in night so we had just a lot of BBQ goodies. The second night Gonzo, being the the über fisherman, supplied us with many a cray, abalone, flat head and albacore, so a massive seafood extravaganza. Dee-lish-i-ous! The next night was roast night with chicken, lamb, veal and a glazed ham. Then finally Kirky made us a ragout with a leg of lamb and Paris mash plus more albacore and flatty... Mmmmmmm!

I love holidays like this, when everybody is chilled and relaxed and time and days mean nothing. We just cruise along at a nice slow ambling pace, taking it all in at our leisure.

I can't wait to go again next year :)

Window sill love

2010-01-09T18:38:00.000+11:00

When we first bought our house I was excited that it had a balcony next to the kitchen because I thought I'd get to grow herbs to use fresh and all that la-di-dah stuff. Unfortunately this was not to be as the balcony just doesn't get the right amount of sun and so things just don't grow as they should... :(

But hooray for window sills! I found an awesome little set of three white pots that fit perfectly on the sill and have planted basil in them all, cos you can never have enough basil :)

So grow, little basil, grow! Make me enough leaves for some pesto! (Or at least enough to go with fresh tomato on toast.)

teesy pegs

2010-01-09T18:29:00.000+11:00

I has four...

and I knows how to use 'em!

Pippit's first Christmas

2009-12-27T11:40:00.001+11:00

I woke up early Christmas day and couldn't get back to sleep so I got up and left Big V and little G snoogled up together and went out to the lounge to organise everything to take round to Aunty J's for lunch. It wasn't long before Pippit awoke and so I came back to bed to feed and cuddle her up on her first Christmas morning. Not that she will mark it as any different from any other morning for a couple more years! But still, I'll record it for posterity anyway :)

waking up and having family cuddles

unwrapping a present from Aunty Pose

and giving it a big cuddle! Thanks Posie!

Totally enamored with her new spinning top

watching it spin, not really sure what to make of it...

making sure Dad knows how to unwrap his pressies.

Pretty water lily

2009-12-22T23:36:00.000+11:00

Walked into the uni today to hand in some stuff as I have finished up work for the year and noticed a water lily growing in the reflection pond. I wish my water lily would sprout a flower. It lives in a water pot in my bbq area. I get lots of leaves but so far no flower. Perhaps it needs more room...

I haven't been posting (or reading for that matter) any blogs of late. Things just seem so hectic leading up towards Christmas. Maybe especially so this year as it will be Pippy's first Christmas and I feel that I'd like it to be a good one for her. I am aware that she probably will not even remember it but I will. And it will be my first as a mother and our first as a new family so even more reasons for celebration. I finally put up the tree the other night with Big V, it looks great and when Pippy saw it in the morning she was really thrilled and wouldn't stop smiling. That alone makes it totally worth it :)

Now that the tree bit is done I feel like the rest is icing, and the next two days will be fun because I'm making the desserts for Christmas day: raspberry sorbet, rocky road ice cream, chocolate mousse, plum pudding and brandy custard, yum! (all I want for Christmas is a diabetes check!)

I will clean your windows for FREE!

2009-12-22T23:22:00.000+11:00

A terrible fuzzy photo, I know but I was laughing too hard to take a steady one :D

I have a tomato... Beware!

2009-12-22T23:20:00.001+11:00

I will make sauce outta you.

nike, nike, nike

2009-12-03T22:26:00.000+11:00

Because I have to learn to 'just do it'!

Recently I've had a dose of 'can't be bothered' attitude and it's been annoying me no end. One voice in my head (belongs to a couch potato, I'm sure) looks at whatever task needs doing and like an unruly child stamps an imaginary foot and just says 'don't wanna!' and so I end up procrastinating and wallowing and generally looking around for something else to do and so said tasks remain festering in whatever pile I haven't sorted. Bleh.

Well not today! I had an awesomely productive day where many a chore and errand were done and ahhhhh! the satisfied feeling afterwards was great. Far, far better than the almost catholic like guilt I'd been feeling over being such a lazy slob. I just hope this Tony Robbins like attitude lasts, cos with Christmas round the corner I need all the help I can get!

it's only rain...

2009-11-29T11:59:00.000+11:00

Some days I get annoyed that I can't go outside because the weather is so bad but today I am loving the rain. We are all inside in the cosy warmth with the sound of the rain pattering steadily on the windows. The plants all look extra green and my cup of tea is lovely and hot in my hands as I peruse my latest book.

Dymocks had a 20% off night last Thursday and I had a gift card ripe for the spending to get some wonderful new papery treats! My friend Bec from Things to make and do had recently shown me her copy of a cool book called Meet me at Mike's by Pip Lincolne.

I had drooled over this book in the bookshops but it was always reluctantly put back on the shelf, mentally filed away on a 'one day' list for when my wallet was feeling a bit healthier. Yay for gift cards! The book is full of great crafty projects, perfect for rainy days (and avoiding the housework!) I haven't decided which project to do first yet. Maybe the yoga pants. Maybe the shoes. They're both so cute :)

insomni-lately

2009-11-28T04:23:00.000+11:00

It's three twenty six in the morning. It was two fifty seven when I decided to get up because you can't trick yourself into thinking you're asleep with fake snores. This is ridiculous! I have a eleven month old baby who sleeps through the night while I do not.

Just lately, in the last few weeks I just wake up around one thirty - two in the AM and I'm just totally awake. No, strike that, my body is awake and wanting to go dancing and my brain is begging to be turned off. I've tried so many things to try and get the old Z's a'happening but to no avail so now I'm trying a new one - getting up. Well, getting up and making a hot drink of chamomile and peppermint tea courtesy of Celestial Seasonings. Let's hope it works. I never really liked chamomile tea but I love peppermint and so far the taste of the latter is overwhelming the former. It's not too bad.

While I wait for the tea to do it's job I've been doodling and browsing blogs, two things that I love doing but haven't had much time for this last year having become a new Mama. I just recently bought a new fine black felt tip pen. I love these pens for drawing. They make the best doodles :)

This was something I was thinking about in bed before I got up. 'A' is for awesome, is what was going through my head. No idea why. And no idea why I pictured it in a bird's nest. I also had images of the bird being made out of a hole punch with material behind it... so that's why it is round. My friend was recently given some scrap love from fabric designer Saffron Craig (oooh, so jealous!) Anyway, not one to be stingy, she shared her scrap love with me, Yay! I think the scrap works really well as a birds body!

Zorro was one lucky bugger. He could create Z's whenever he needed :(

As I'm typing this I think I can feel the tea working. Please, please, please be working! One of the most annoying things about waking in the middle of the night is that when, inevitably, I do get tired enough to go back to sleep it's something like five o'clock so I have to get up a few hours later and then spend the day walking round like a zombie and being less than charming to hang out with. I mean, no one chooses to hang out with a zombie do they! Who wants someone gnawing at an errant limb, or worse cracking your skull and having a chew at your brain whilst pretending to be that fat Indian man from the Temple of Doom delighting in chilled monkey brains. I know I certainly don't!

I guess I should try going to sleep now. There's the Handmade market on ~~tomorrow~~ today to look forward to. Goodnight!

I heart giveaways!

2009-11-27T22:57:00.000+11:00

I love browsing crafty blogs and coming across giveaways, it's the same feeling I used to get when I was young hunting for fossils, gems or shells. Mini treasures ripe for the picking! And just to prove I'm no greedy grumpling here's a few links to some treats and goodies :)

Here's a giveaway from Pretty Ditty where you can win a yard of fabric from her store PhatFabric.

This one from The Rikrak Studio is huge with many, MANY lovely things up from grabs and you can enter in many different ways to up your chances of winning.

Flea Market Fancy Freaks is having a giveaway where you can win one of 5 different prizes.

And finally, close to home, one of my most favouritest people in all the world is having a giveaway of some of her lovely hand made creations: cute piggy wigs from Notions!

Good luck!

∆ My Collection(s) - My Place and Yours ∆

2009-11-23T10:39:00.001+11:00

I haven't been playing along with Meet Me at Mikes meme lately, I've just been too disorganised. This weeks theme is My Collection suggested by Theme Queen Kate from Foxs Lane, pretty much the perfect theme for me, I collect so many things!

My Mother often calls me a hoarder and God knows I drive Big V up the wall with my incessant need to keep every little thing, "Why do you always collect so much junk?" and I think it is these negative connotations of collecting that has recently led me to want to de-clutter and cull some of my surroundings. This, I know, is not a bad thing. Sometimes things are junky and don't need to be kept, I just find it so hard to let go!

To me, a lot of my bits and bobs are like mental post it notes. Little tags that evoke memories by association, and I love that association. I have boxes filled with memory tags that I love to get out from the top shelf of the cupboard and sift through, reminiscing as I go. Some of the more junk-y things I collect and store are movie ticket stubs, pretty beer tops, funky coasters from travels, nicely printed paper bags, old postcards... I keep thinking if I put them all in one great scrap book that they'll be organised and less bothersome to those others in the household!

I also collect boxes, buttons, fabric, books, coloured pencils, beautiful cards, old keys, things with bugs or bees, funny Buddhas, lovely coloured cottons, tiny birds, good luck kittys and so many other knick knacks...

But it's not like it can just be any old bottle top or any old Buddha, bird or bug. Quite a few times when friends have been aware of a 'current' collecting fad they think they're on a winner for a present idea and sadly it's just not always the case. I'm not saying I don't appreciate their thoughtfulness, it's completely lovely, it's just that collecting can be so personal. Just because I love tiny birds does not mean that every time I see a thing with a bird in it, I want it. It has to speak to me in just the right way. Crazy? Maybe, but that's just the way it is :)

One of my latest collections is the letter 'V' (did I miss my calling working for Sesame Street?) I had previously blogged about it for the first of Meet Me at Mike's meme's 'On the Shelf' and since then I have found a few more V's that have taken my fancy.

The two wooden V's I think I'll paint and I have a very cute small shadow box which I'll put the little brass v in, it'll be a perfect fit! My favourite one at the moment is the orange card V. It has pictures on the back of 'V' things. I love both sides so much I think I'll have to buy another and frame them side by side, which will work well as I am planning yet another collection of wall art! Can anyone say lost cause?

One small comfort is that I know I'm not alone. In this months Inside Out magazine there was an article written by Sibella Court where she mentions that her " ...maternal Grandmother was labelled a hoarder; it was always said with disdain. So I call myself a keeper of collections - or a bowerbird. I, too, get fixated on things" This makes me feel much better about my stash of treasures :)

Pippit's first day at the beach

2009-11-13T21:02:00.001+11:00

Today was such fantastic weather, the sort that just demands that you go to the beach... so we did! Rosie, Pippy and I all bundled up in the car and drove down to seven mile beach for a walk and a paddle. I haven't been to seven mile in such a long time I'd forgotten what a nice beach it actually is.

Rosie managed to save a little fishy that was stranded by the tide. I didn't get a great photo of it as we were obviously rushing to get him back in the water... he kinda looks like a mini jaws!

I collected a bunch of chinese fingernail shells (not sure of their real name but that's what I've always called them), talk about a witchy poo!

and Rosie found me the most beautiful shell, the photo doesn't do the colour justice at all. It's the most amazing coral pink, I've never seen a shell coloured like it - love it :)

Little Pippit absolutely loved the water, not afraid one little jot! (that's my girl!) I think she would play in water all day if she was allowed. I used to spend nearly all day, every day at the beach when I was younger. A friend and I used to take her doughnut ring, chuck our towels in the middle and each hold a side as we walked down about a block to the beach. We'd paddle out till we couldn't touch the bottom and freak ourselves out and then paddle back in again. We would've only been about nine or ten, I can't believe our parents were cool with us going off by ourselves like that! I guess they were just different times.

Mamatoto

2009-11-11T14:48:00.000+11:00

Sent this scan from a book called Mamatoto to a friend who is over their due date for birth in the hopes that it will make them laugh so hard and bring on labour.

I wonder if it'll work :)

guru swarmy bugger the rest of you I'm alright thanks jack G

2009-11-10T13:08:00.000+11:00

For some reason I have that phrase on the brain, no idea why. It hasn't been on the radio for years, can't even remember if it was TTT or Triple J! Another sign of the recent bout of scattiness I've had lately I'm sure. I need to do a MASSIVE Spring clean in my house and perhaps my brain is doing the same. After all, do I really need random quotes spoken in a fake Indian accent floating around in my head? No, I don't think so!

I came to realise whilst watching Big V sneeze for the tenth time in a row the other day and thinking how lucky I was that I don't get hay fever the way he does, that while I may not sneeze, cough or get ragingly itchy eyes I DO GET SCATTY! I suddenly lose all ability to focus and organise my days leading to many things being left undone. Great big piles of washing, mail on every surface of the kitchen table, half started projects and their paraphernalia lying around everywhere - I'm like that funny bag lady from the Labyrinth that collects everything on her back. I need to buy a pair of footy boots just to give myself a good swift kick up the backside!

Maybe Big V is the lucky one. I mean, he can take an antihistamine for his affliction but what can I take? What remedy is there for an unorganised clutter bug?

Breaktober

2009-10-23T12:03:00.000+11:00

Big V has taken some holidays and so I have been super remiss about blogging everyday. I believe if the three strikes rule applies then I am now well and truly out :( In my defense I have been thinking about blogging and did take some photos to blog about so I haven't been completely tardy.

On the Wednesday I took Little G to the pool for her swimming lesson but the great thing was that Big V was able to come too so we were able to take a bit of video and a few pics of the event. We did ask if it was okay to take pics at the pool because we didn't want other people to think that Big V was some kind of dirty pervert taking pictures of little kids. The lifeguards said it would be fine as long as the shots were only of us and no one else.

G was having so much fun splashing that she wouldn't look at the camera. She loves the pool and really makes an effort at kicking and paddling. The lady who takes the class said she wants G in her swim squad as she's such a natural at it. She kicks on her tummy and on her back, apparently that is awesome for her age. (Insert proud beaming Mama here)

Another milestone for Bubbit is that she has started clapping and waving, very rewarding for us as parents and of course we think she is the smartest baby in the universe for being able to do so! She is also well on the way to crawling forward now but every time she tries to she gets very frustrated at not moving very fast, it's more like crawl-cry-crawl-pause-cry-crawl. As you can see in the pic, sometimes it's just all too much! She does eventually get to where ever she's headed, oh but the effort ;D

My (dusty) shelf

2009-10-20T23:25:00.000+11:00

I am joining in yet another blog-a-long. Inspired by Bec (cos she is so inspirational!) This one is called My Place & Yours created by Meet me at Mikes. This weeks theme is 'On the Shelf' so despite all the dust and clutter I have picked out a small snapshot of one of my shelves to share.

When I got married a few years ago I had a bit of an inner debate as to whether I should take my husbands last name or not. I had been a 'Bennetto' for so long that could I really be anything else? All sorts of weird issues raised their heads during this inner turmoil not the least of them being the fact that my middle name rhymes with his last name - how very 'Julia Goolia'! (remember the wedding singer?)

In the end I decided that I would become a 'Valentine' and have never looked back. So now I like to collect 'V's as a sort of celebration of my new name. The V's in the picture are for our little family: Big V, Little G and me.

Can't wait to add another V to the collection!

Chucktober

2009-10-19T22:32:00.000+11:00

Because we all need jeans that don't bind your legs...

Homage to salmon and apples

2009-10-18T21:55:00.002+11:00

Today Big V, Rosie, Pippit and I all ventured down south to pay our respects to the produce of the Huon. The Apple and Salmon Race Day Carnival to be exact. I don't want to be negative about it but it was not what I expected. I think the use of the word 'carnival' conjured up a rather more grandiose image than what was actually there but despite my over active imagination we all had a good day out and it was held by the local Rotary so all for a good cause.

I would have loved to be a judge for the apple pies and toffee apple contest. What a job. It's sad though that the pies are only really destined to have a scoop taken out and then just be left on a table for all to look and not touch. Pies are for eating people!

And more so the toffee apples! Despite the fact that they are really toothaches on a stick it's just a waste to have one bite and then just leave it be - oh you mock me toffee apple! Sitting in your glass vase teasing me with your red shiny goodness!

I sampled no salmon but did have a lucaston apple juice (best apple juice ever) and an apple cake, mmm, delish! We did enter the Salmon and Apple race too but could only afford to bet on an apple as they were only $3 whereas a salmon was $50.

Initially we wondered how on earth you could have a salmon and apple race. I mean, apples certainly would bob along merrily down the river but wouldn't the salmon just swim away?

All was revealed upon reaching the race tent where we were greeted by tubs of plastic fishies. Ah, much more compliant racers!

Sadly not as tasty as Rosie discovered. Sushi you are not, fishy 99!

Finished!

2009-10-18T21:04:00.000+11:00

Had a very strange day yesterday, felt very restless and at odds with everything. Big V and I couldn't decide what to do and so ended up doing bugger all. It wasn't until later at night that I finally decided to tackle the lazy day skirt pattern.

Next thing I know it's half one in the morning and I realise that I should probably go to bed otherwise spend Sunday being as equally unproductive and tired to boot. I did finish the main part of the skirt though.

Ava had come round earlier this morning before I had put the embellishments on and was very excited to see it but I told her she couldn't take it home until I'd put the the buttons on. She was very understanding for a four year old but still wore it the whole time she was here which made me feel good! It's always nice to see someone appreciate something you make for them.

So it's finished. All I need now is to get a picture of Ava wearing it!

Catober

2009-10-17T22:15:00.000+11:00

For some reason I like little good luck cats. No idea why, I just do. The tinier the better. In fact they can't be more than a couple of inches or they don't fit the bill. Big ones won't do at all...

There you have it folks.

Love scraps? You betcha!

2009-10-16T13:22:00.000+11:00

Today in the mail I received a surprise package. Well, 'surprise' cos I'd forgotten that I'd ordered it! I love opening parcels, it's just like a present, even though I bought it myself :D

I had ordered the amy butler pattern and some 'prints charming' fabric from etsy in pink based colours and the seller had also a bulk pack of scraps that looked like a good mix so I decided to take a chance on them and add them to my basket. Turned out to be a bargain buy, sure there's a few that I probably won't use but the majority are really nice.

So yay for surprise packages!

(provided they don't contain bombs, anthrax or poo...)

Striketober :(

2009-10-16T09:54:00.005+11:00

Bah, I've missed another day of blogtober... I have had a lot on my plate though, Little Pippit has been super grizzly and while I can't see anything, I'm pretty sure there's a tooth on the way. It's either that or she's turning into a drool monster!

I did managed to get into town yesterday, trying to time the pram walk with Pippit's nap. Spotlight had 20% off and so I wanted to get a rotary cutter and board while the sale was on. Rosie came with me and it was so great to have another pair of helping hands! I also made it back into Pocketspace and purchased the octopus print I'd been after, yay! All in all a pretty good trip :)

I have also gotten as far as picking materials out for my lazy day skirt, although I am going to call mine a hectic day skirt because lazy days are one thing I'm short on at the moment! I won't make the sew along dead line but nevermind. Doesn't mean I'll stop making the skirt!

shiny shiny

2009-10-14T16:32:00.002+11:00

I am very attracted to these shoes, not just because they're shiny, not just because they're red but because they remind me of fairytale red dancing shoes! The tongues look like fungi growing down a tree, all in all a very whimsical buy.

I may never end up wearing them but hey, I have shiny new red shoes!

RIP favourite mug

2009-10-13T10:38:00.004+11:00

The other day little Pippit managed to get her tiny mitts on my favourite mug (luckily empty at the time) I had turned around for one second when a china like clatter rang out, holding my breath I whipped around fearing the worst but all looked fine. It wasn't until I poured hot water in it that it became evident that the only thing 'fine' about my muggy wug was the hairline cracks up the side slowly seeping my hot beverage onto the counter. Poo.

Fungi love

2009-10-12T20:58:00.003+11:00

Blocktober

2009-10-12T18:55:00.005+11:00

I have finally started project one today - baby quilt for pregnant friend. The problem is, I think I like it too much! There could be parting issues with this one...

Rosie kindly brought her cutting board and rotary knife over today so I could get some nice clean edges. As soon as I had cut a few blocks I had a bit of a play with placement. I like this part of quilting the most, just playing with patterns and colours and testing different layouts, it's like a cross between big kids building blocks and one of those asian sand gardens, therapeutic and fun!

I decided to use full blocks of colour in between the patterned material and then space it all with white. Nice and simple, bright but uncluttered. Well, I like it anyway!

Rosie was busy making yet another quilt top too. She is doing something called a 'disappearing nine patch' where you sew all the blocks of colour together and then cut them up, mix them around and join them back together again. She is so fast (and easy, hehehe, just jokes Rosie!) I admire her gung ho approach, it's not that I'm afraid of making a mistake it's just that I'm afraid of making a total complete botch of things! Oh wait, that's another way of saying mistake isn't it... OCD anyone?

Bectober (…or maybe stalktober?)

2009-10-11T21:28:00.009+11:00

I was meant to post this yesterday but the day just got away from me so I have officially missed a day in my blogtoberfest attempt. Poo. I placate myself by acknowledging the fact that sometimes I blog twice a day there for storing up blogs in reserve... whatever works.

Anyway. Rosie and I went to the Botanical Gardens on Saturday to hear an artist called Beci Orpin speak about her life and art. Organised by AGDA and aptly titled 'Breakie with Beci'. She is a truly amazing person. It's as if her sole purpose in life was to create and she has moved organically from one opportunity to the next, leaving in her wake a myriad of awesome artworks. I heart them all!

Perhaps most exciting to me at the moment is that she has created a line of children's clothes called Tiny Mammoth, a lot of which are in colours that are non gender specific. A great break from the 'traditional' pinks and blues found almost everywhere else. And, yay, they're stocked here in Hobart too! I even worked up the courage to ask her to sign my 'Curvy' book! (I felt kinda daggy but it was worth it!)

Bec from 'Things to make and do' and co-organiser of the whole shebang also set up a crafternoon after the presentation where we all got to sit down and learn how to make some things. Rosie and I both attempted the crocheting. I had, some time ago, crocheted a whole blanket but my brain dumped the know how to undertake such a task and I just couldn't recall how to do it! After a few fits and starts with Bec's help I now know how to make a 'granny' and will hopefully retain the knowledge for the future! Thanks Bec!

make, make, makity make!

2009-10-09T22:32:00.005+11:00

I am committing myself...

No I'm not mad! (ok, debatable) I am committing myself to find the time to make things in October. The first is a baby quilt for a pregnant friend, second is a smocky dress for little G and the latest thing to add to the list is a lazy day skirt that I was put on to by a post at Ange's Ramblings. Thanks Ange! I am choosing fabrics already...

The lazy day skirt is a beginner sewer's dream, as basic a pattern as you'll ever find. So absolutely no excuses for starting one and not finishing it! (something I am prone to doing) I've joined up with a sew along at One Crafty Mama's blog to get myself doubly into it. The pattern can be found here from Oliver + S.

Ulp! The pressures on now!

Smocktober

2009-10-09T16:40:00.005+11:00

As the Amy Butler pattern I ordered will not be posted for the next couple of weeks because the seller has gone on holidays, I will start a smaller scale project for Little G instead. I think I have enough material and bits and bobs in my stash to start something this small!
So smock instead of frock it is :)

I have a wonderful book called Amy Butler's little stitches for little ones and have picked out a little pinny dress with matching bloomers to make. I think it will look great on little G but I might shorten it as she is just learning to crawl and I wouldn't want her to get her knees caught up in it and face plant into the carpet!

There are so many different ways to make little smocky type dresses for bubbas, I think little G will have to get a walk in robe if I end up making all the ones I like! I particularly love the ones that criss-cross at the back (1.), I think you'd get a lot of wear out of this design as it grows with the child and even though it may start out as a dress they'll still be able to wear it as a top when they're a toddler. Little ties at the shoulder or back are cute and easy too (2. & 3.)

Unfortunately, given the free time I actually have to undertake such projects, I will probably only complete enough to fill a small drawer or maybe just a shoe box! Oh well, so long imaginary walk in robe, it's the thought that counts.

1. Eleanor Grace Designs 2. Three Yellow Starfish 3. Modern Bebe

Frocktober

2009-10-08T10:26:00.001+11:00

I saw this on the wall in Spotlight the other day. Not the most inspiring poster I think. Way to make crocheting popular Spotlight! Good on you. Not.

Hmmm, how shall I phrase my response?

A: I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request
B: It might be possible using my stomach contents
C: No. Never. On the eyes of my child I-will-not
D: All of the above

Some poor Nana somewhere is huddled on her rocking chair, freezing cold, too rheumatic to give chase to the young floozy who stole her knee rug, scalped it and draped it around her body in a weird homage to vomit, I'm sure.

This, on the other hand, I find less vomity and will attempt to make it. I love Amy Butler's fabric and patterns. I may not be able to do the pattern justice as I have only ever attempted to make one dress and that was back in high school! However I'm sure there will be online tutorials to help me should I get stuck.
I actually think the hardest thing will be to commit to a fabric, I always um and ah so much when it comes to locking in a choice. There's simply too many yummy alternatives when it comes to selecting fabric, I get overwhelmed!
Commitment phobe perhaps? Maybe just plain greedy as really, I want them all!

Bonds Bumps and Baby

2009-10-07T18:04:00.003+11:00

Ok, I swear I am not a pageant Mum, promise, promise, PROMISE!

I have entered my daughter into the Bonds Baby search competition because, well, because she's so darn cute! I admit that I am completely biased but what Mother isn't? But if for some reason you happen to agree with me, please click the link below and then click 'like this baby' so she gets some votes!!!

Bonds Bumps and Baby - Baby Search 2009

Shocktober!

2009-10-07T11:32:00.004+11:00

After swimming today Little G had the biggest nap ever. To be honest she was so tired before we even went. Daylight savings has thrown her naps all out of whack and so she should have been napping rather than swimming this morning. But a two hour nap was good for her and for me as I managed to get some uni work done, yay! So she woke up all happy and rested and with the best bed hair ever. 1, 2, 3 Awwwwww!

Bok-Bok-Boktober (Warning: Not at all exciting to anyone but me!)

2009-10-06T21:37:00.010+11:00

Yum! Yum! Yummo! I have had the best news today!

I was going to write a 'Frocktober' post but then I saw that Bec has already claimed that title today. Then I was going to write a 'Blocktober' post as I got some awesome new material for a baby quilt I'm making BUT THEN CAME THE AWESOME NEWS!
And here it is!

A certain awesome chicken store has opened up in Salamanca. I cannot mention the name otherwise I will be the 'mentioner' and thus have to buy chicken goodies for all - so the rule goes ;P

...however should the name be READ then I suppose no rules are broken!

When I was young I used to want to work there because they had turquoise uniforms (some great job aspiration) and lo and behold I DID end up working for them through college and even though the job was the same as any other part time grind I got to enjoy the turquoise uniform and much of the chickeny goodness sold there. Especially the chips covered in chicken salt, Mmmmmm! I know where I'll be headed after swimming tomorrow!

Mocktober or October?

2009-10-05T10:55:00.004+11:00

Me wants, me wants, me wants...

A beautiful octopus print by borderline rif raf that I saw at a market recently. Couldn't afford to buy it on the day but the stall holder told me that Pocketspace Gallery had some for sale too.
I visit the Gallery but I am too late, they are all sold and mocking me silently from the wall is a freshly painted mural of the same print. Woe.

The shop owner does tell me how to get in contact with the artist though, so I have done this and will hopefully hear back soon and then it will be mine, mine, ALL MINE! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAaaaaaaaa! *cough*

Gawktober - at the markets

2009-10-04T14:56:00.008+11:00

Today has been a lovely lazy Sunday, one of the best kinds of Sundays in my opinion. Big V, little G and I all trooped of to the Masonic Hall where The Market is held on the 1st Sunday of every month. I love this market as nearly everything is handmade and the stalls change every time as they have so many people interested in holding a space there's not enough room for everybody every market.

Today I did a lot of gawking and only a little buying. But I have set my sights on some awesome 'standaliers' made by a lady called Loz Abberton at WHO DID THAT. She is a wonderfully creative person and her designs are stunning. I think there would be a style to suit almost every home.

The one I like is called oak blossom, made out of FSC veneered ply. This pic is of the design in white eco resin and it's hanging too whereas I would have it as a standing lamp. Then perhaps finally after many, many years Big V and I would have matching bedside table lamps...
ahhh, symmetry, I love you.

I also got some great cards from little twig which I think I'll frame rather than use. And some beautiful new brooches from Rosie at Notions. Rosie makes all sorts of wonderful little handmade goodies and I am forever drooling over all the wonderful fabrics she manages to get her creative mitts on.

Socktober

2009-10-03T12:16:00.004+10:00

Not really being one to wear socks myself I feel I am living a sock fantasy through little Bippit. She has the most amazing array of socks! It wasn't until I decided that I needed some way to store them other than just chucking them in a clothes box (great way to lose them) that I realised how many pairs she has!

This is a small sample of her rainbow of footwear. I started putting them into a big lolly jar I had but now even that is too small. I will be keeping my eye out for a beautiful big old pharmacy jar and if I fill that up then it's time to visit a doctor about a problem sock fetish!

Crocktober - part 2

2009-10-02T21:37:00.003+10:00

I decided that 'Crocktober' would mean crockery for me but these are a few other crockables that could have taken the title.

Croc shoes - I was tempted to buy a pair of crocs today on ozsale because they were FREE but then I remembered I didn't actually like crocs, I was only getting sucked in by the FREE thing. Well, you did have to pay postage so not really FREE. Still, they were orange...

Crocodile man - Steve Irwin. I was with Ally and Rosie in a carpark when I heard the news that he'd died... weird the things you remember.

Crock Pot - I don't own one but I think they are kinda cool.

Crocodile Dundee - leathery old duck!

Crocodiles on a leash being held by Beyonce - enough said!

Crocktober - part 1

2009-10-02T09:32:00.005+10:00

I saw this crockery set in a habitat catalogue and thought they were awesome and although I am definitely not a 'plate on wall or shelf' person (too much dusting involved for one thing) I would be loathe to use it for it's intended purpose for fear of eventually ruining the picture!

I decided to check them out today while I was in town and found that they were not as nice as in real life as they are in the picture. The pictures were a bit fuzzy and the ceramic a bit chunky, not that I am a crockery snob, you have only to check out my kitchen cupboards for that proof, it's just that for $80 a plate I expected a little more. More what? I don't know, just more!

I did see a really beautiful wedgewood cup and saucer that I ummed and ahhed about, walked away, decided to commit to the purchase and then came back only to find that another lady had beat me to it and was buying the whole set. What a bugger! But she did let me take a photo of it, in fact seemed thrilled that I would want to. A kind gesture from one teacup lover to another.

Knock Knocktober!

2009-10-01T10:52:00.003+10:00

Ok, so this isn't really a 'proper' post but what the hey, I love this joke.

Idiot 1: 'Knock Knock!'
Idiot 2: 'Whose there?'
Idiot 1: 'Interrupting cow'
Idiot 2: 'Interrupting co...'
Idiot 1: 'MOOOOOOO!'

Hahahahahahahahahaha! I told my niece this joke on the weekend and then she told it back to me about fifty times in a row and each time we laughed so hard!
Who needs mad cow disease when you have jokes like this :D

Faff, faff, fafferty faff - it's Fafftober!

2009-10-01T10:00:00.008+10:00

So Bubbit has gone down for a well needed nap and instead of doing the many chores I have lined up for today I am on the computer instead. Hmmm, priority review?

I've been browsing other people's blogs, something I wish I could do more often, and have found one idea that I love. Blogtoberfest! (Thanks Bec!) Since starting this blog I've been told by a certain someone (don't worry Rosie, I won't name any names! hehehe!) that I need to post more frequently so this 'Blogtoberfest' seems like the perfect challenge!

Can I post every day for the month of October? I'm thinking hell yeah!

There are a stack of others rising to the challenge so why no lil' ole me! One blogger has a great idea which I might thieve, making each days post title a play on 'October'. For example, Rocktober, posting something about music or rocks- very doable, or Woktober, something about cooking - easy, Clocktober, Flocktober, Blocktober and so on.
So, thanks for the idea Badskirt! I am grabbing this bull by the horns!

And as a thank you to Rosie for her insistence that I blog more often I have found an unbelievable picture of a magical tuna, celery soup. Sorry, no raisins.

*I should mention I found these awesome comical pics drawn by NatalieDee here.
My kind of funny :D

The girl that walks with the baby...

2009-09-30T22:23:00.004+10:00

So today I had to go to Mykonos to get some milk and the girl behind the counter says,

'Hey! Weren't you in the paper the other day with your baby? I said to my friend Hey! I know that girl, she walks past here with her baby!'

Ulp! You got me, I'm the girl that walks with the baby, what can I say - local celebrity!

I heart books... zombie love

2009-09-30T21:30:00.004+10:00

Saw this book at the ABC shop the other day and it was instant eye hearts!
I have such a soft spot for zombie flavoured things :)
(there are so many things wrong with that sentence, I know)

It comes down to the age old question though: can all things be made good by the addition of a zombie? (or a ninja or a pirate for that matter) I would normally say a big hearty yes but in this case I'm thinking that even though the cover is fabulous it may require a re-read of the original so the new and improved will be just that.

Have seen a few reviews which sound promising and check out some of the art! If ever I used 'lol' it would be now!

“Elizabeth,” we read, “lifted her skirt — a rather immodest gesture necessitated by circumstance — and delivered a swift kick to the creature’s head, which exploded in a cloud of brittle skin and bone.” Woohoo! Go Lizzy!

Holding hands

2009-09-30T20:40:00.003+10:00

Chillin' and relaxin', hanging out wid me peeps - word.

Babushy love

2009-09-30T20:38:00.005+10:00

Babushkas - love them.

Hey Rosie, If you popped in this wheelie bin it would be a real nesting doll!
(of course you'd be the ee, wee, widdle one!)

WTF?

2009-09-30T20:36:00.003+10:00

I was using the ATM down the road and saw these keys nailed to a tree. Like, seriously! WTF? Secret keys!!! What could they be for? It's driving me nuts!

Almost famous

2009-09-29T21:20:00.009+10:00

Bubblet and I were in the paper today from last weeks Baby Teresa opening and wouldn't you know it, we were noted as being Genevieve Valentine and her daughter Ruth!
Ah, so like 'The Mockery' to stuff it up!

Anyway, me thinks Pippy has let all the fame go to her head...

'No more photos please!'

Hahahaha! Actually these cute little aviators were a pressie for G's little friend R-man, for his christening (cos his future's so bright he'll need shades!)
Ok, bad joke aside, I couldn't resist trying them on G. Instant Diva! ;P

Knock Knock! Whose there?

2009-09-29T21:16:00.004+10:00

Walking along the main road today and just noticed this little wooden gate in the middle of a great big concrete wall with the most beautiful door knocker on it... puts me in mind of the secret garden. Love it!

Can't wait!

2009-09-29T21:00:00.005+10:00

Where the Wild Things Are... sure to be a Spike Jonze classic!

Good voice cast too. James Gandolfini, bada bing bada boom!

Blue bits!

2009-09-25T12:39:00.005+10:00

I don't believe it! A piece of blue sky with sun attached... dare I undertake a walk to town?

Splish splash I was taking a bath...

2009-09-25T12:00:00.006+10:00

Little Pippit no longer hates bath time! Yay!

Now we can have a fresh smelling bubbit, *sniff* *sniff* Ahhhhh!

Baby Teresa's Next Top Model!

2009-09-22T10:57:00.011+10:00

Our clever friend Sammie has started a new business called Baby Teresa which is all about babies and giving! A pretty good combo if you ask me.
She has designed some baby onsies, long and short styles, and when one is sold they give another suit to a baby in need around the world.

Great idea for a present cos you get to give twice :)

Sammie has asked Little G to be a model for the launch night, we are so excited!
Well... I am so excited, G won't really know what's going on I suppose!

I took a few shots of her in two of the different designs and I think she looks FABulous DAAARlingk!

Posie's Bday

2009-09-17T17:07:00.004+10:00

Very late post as Posa's Bday was about a month ago but I love this pic of Arthur's Circus swings. Chippet's first time on a swing. Pose was meant to be doing a star leap behind Daddy and Chip but I caught it at the wrong moment and so instead she looks like an over enthusiastic jogger out for a morning run!

We had a great day that day. Breakfast at Zum's, stroll through the market, nanna nap in the arvo and then Pizza for tea... ahhh bliss!

Pippy looks like she's under sufferance in this picture, a mini Popeye, Arrrrr!

A little ray of sunshine

2009-09-17T16:44:00.004+10:00

Finally a sunny day! Well at least one without rain :)

We took advantage of being able to get out and about and basically spent the whole day walking. In to town to for some errands, visit Daddy at work (and let the office staff make goo goo eyes at G), small bit of window shopping and then down to the park to meet up with Lynnie Loo and her two boys.

Little G and Yonah are great little buddies, they are quite happy to sit next to each other and just chill. I'm glad G has lots of little mates. I thought by not putting her in child care I would be depriving her of socialising but it just is not the case. Between Mum's group, Rock and Rhyme, Mum and Bub Yoga, all my friends with kids and not to mention the large number of cousins she has, she gets plenty of 'hanging out with her peeps' time. In fact she's quite the little socialite!

nom nom nom!

2009-08-03T16:07:00.004+10:00

Eating up mango and banana with a bit o' vanilla rice cereal, mmm!

Little Pippit is happy to try and feed herself, although figuring out that the actual spoon isn't food might take a little while longer :)

Finished!

2009-08-03T16:05:00.004+10:00

Finished my baby quilt the other day and it has already been very useful. Not as a quilt as such but as a great travel play rug!

A friend is due in a couple of months so I think I will make her one as a baby shower gift. It serves two purposes, one (the obvious!) a gift and two letting me make something fun!

Sorry Julie but I wish Poh had won :(

2009-07-19T21:36:00.006+10:00

I know that Poh was previously eliminated but I really wish she had won last night.

Mikkel and I both think that the judge's helped Julie a bit by telling her that her sorbet was rubbish so she had time to make another one, perhaps if Poh had been told too she also would have had time to fix it!

But the saddest thing about this is how I have been dragged into the world of reality television, arghhhhh!!!

A Quilt for Baby

2009-07-17T17:48:00.001+10:00

Totally meant to be working with Annie today and instead we made quilts!!!

Well the top part anyway. Have to pick material for the back and surrounds later on.

I made one for Bubba and Annie made one for her neice which was four times the size. She has a shiny new sewing machine which I am super jealous of as mine is about 15 years old and has dings and the occasional tantrum... penny saving begins for a new one!

There will be no walking today :(

2009-06-25T11:22:00.001+10:00

Rain, rain, rainy rain, rain *sigh*

What to do, what to do?

I have it!

Rainy day scones with jam and cream. Mmmmm! :P

Spot the trolley for $1000!

2009-06-25T11:20:00.002+10:00

There is a number that Woolworths has that you can ring to report missing trolleys and go into the draw to win $1000... somehow I don't think I'll win reporting this one :S

Beautiful Walk

2009-06-25T11:17:00.001+10:00

Yesterday was such a nice day compared to the weather we've been having lately so I decided to take Chippie for a walk to Aunty Jessie's house. My aim is to try and get out of the house and walk somewhere every day, even if it is just to the shops for milk!
I have become a master at dodging dog poo with the pram and not barking people's shins with the front wheel. I remember in the days of BC (Before Chippie) when I used to get so peeved at nutbag Mama's trying to attack my ankles with their mini four wheel drives so I am especially careful not run unassuming pedestrians over, even when they oblivious of the world around them.
Anyway, my plans for walking are thwarted today as it has not stopped raining all day... can you say cabin fever? Poo...

Virgin Flight

2009-05-31T21:03:00.003+10:00

My lovely Hub decides to be extravagant for my first Mother's Day and gets me a ticket to the Cirque Du Soleil in Melbs. I'm so super excited as I thought it would be so long before we would ever be able to do anything like this because of Bubs. He set it all up so that we would stay with Onny, Tas and their three kids. They would look after Chip while we went to the show, she would be asleep because the show is at eight and all would go well... that was the plan.

I swear she knew we were trying to leave her as every time I went to put her in bed she started to scream, not just cry but scream. As soon as I picked her up again she would fall asleep in my arms, almost instantly! Anyway, we ended up having to take her and I was so on edge I didn't even bat an eyelid when I went to buy two waters and they charged me $10!!! Seriously, was it holy water? The guy at the door gave me some earplugs for Chippa and we went and took our seats.

The music starts and it is loud, loud, LOUD. I cannot relax and am clutching at my golden, gem encrusted water bottle and peeping in the blanket at my sleeping poppet every five seconds to make sure that sleeping is exactly what she is doing. I was so terrified that she start screaming again and I'd have to rush out of there followed by disapproving stares and angry mutterings that I didn't calm down for the first half of the show. Eventually I did manage to stop being a nervous wreck and was able to appreciate the magic of the show. Every act had it's own spine tingling pull and I was mesmerized by the brilliance of it all. It was totally amazing.

Anyway, after all that I only took one photo on the whole trip of some graffiti on Brunswick Street... weird.

The effort of crying

2009-04-14T10:38:00.001+10:00

Is it possible to knock yourself out from crying?

Well, yes it is and here is the proof!

Make your own album cover

2009-04-10T22:33:00.000+10:00

Just passing the time making an album cover for my new band...

Was going to upload photos instead but my new camera requires me to put a whole heap of software onto my pute and I couldn't be bothered so I faffed around doing this instead.

Faffing is fun :) Just follow these simple steps:

1 - Go to "wikipedia." Hit “random... Read More”
or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use photoshop or similar to put it all together.

Kinda addictive! Think I'll make some more when there's faffing to be done.

Beautiful Grub take 2!

2009-04-10T10:31:00.001+10:00

Good Friday is shaping up to be Great Friday!
I think I like this pass it on technique: I give Chippa brekkie in bed then Michael gives me brekkie in bed, hmmm... but then who gives him brekkie in bed?
Well, I say he forfeits his go as he got out of bed to play PS3!

Next time honey, next time.

Beautiful Grub!

2009-04-10T10:25:00.002+10:00

Little Chippie after her morning feed, so full and contented.
My work here is done... at least until the next demand is made.

Blog Cherry Popped!

2009-04-09T23:22:00.001+10:00

Ok... First blog ever of any sort. Just hanging out, blogging away, la di dah...
Sitting at home with little chip (bubba) in bed and Mikkel on the couch playing wipeout on his shiny new PS3.

I have had a pretty good day. Went to a shop called the Dog's Breakfast and bought some ridiculously cheap things... gotta love a sale! Then to Big W to try and buy a soda stream, to no avail, all sold out - bummer! Last of all took Rosie to pick up her car and finally home again, home again, jiggety jig (to feed the pig!) Ah, mean ole Mummy. My little darling is no piggy wig, although she does snort sometimes! Poor Bubs has been having colic troubles and I have tried a magical potion on her called infants friend. It seems to be working as even though she is still a farty bum she doesn't cry about it. All good in my book!

Good Friday is tomorrow and I am so glad Mikkel has taken the rest of next week off. 10 days of hubband! (not a spelling error, 'tis what I calls him!) I'm sure there will be something better to blog about later!

Anyway... now it's off to bed.
Here's to sleeping babies, PS3 and blogging about nothing,
sweet dreams all. :D