just finished my first ever bag!

It's my first ever bag, no pattern, just me and my poor brain. This was lots of fun - fabric was left over from cushions. This one is not for sale, but is open for comment! Finished at 11:32pm Sat night...

Hope your weekend is treating you beautifully,

xo

flashback friday!!!!

I'm back! and apologies for not fitting with the theme this week - I don't know if I have any photos of me with my littl pup Barkley (yes, after the big Barkley on Sesame Street).

Barkley was lovely - I think I was about five when we had him, and I clearly remember his smell (of course!). Barkly had that real puppy smell... a bit like you would imagine dry crumbled weetbix would smell if it were out in the sun for a while and grew warm. I love that smell! I remember creeping out the back door to visit him when he was whimpering one night (he was still spending the night in a big box at that stage)... I remember he was so hard to reach to pat! I felt as though I was going to fall into the box!

I also remember very clearly that a dalmation got into our yard one day and bit Barkley's ear. I was so worried and upset. I remember the smell of him being washed, and the smell of Dettol. He was really shaken, poor little thing. I still don't trust dalmations.

But, sadly, I have no photo to go with this story... mum/dad - do you have one at home? Can you scan one in and email it to me?

Happy flashback everyone!
xo

my favourite things...

I haven't done this for a while (way too long!) but with the sewing machine and other crafting items firmly packed away by hubby today, thought I would take this opportunity to do another set of my favourite things!

And, prompted by Martine at greenolive to reflect on my love of all things pink, I thought it may be timely to show a group of my pink favourites!


1. Más lovely necklaces!!, 2. Set of 4 "pink pretty" badges, 3. Friendly Birds, 4. Broche Muffin, 5. Midnight Garden Detail, 8. Miki's wing, 9. Blossom PINK, 10. BONBON CANDY BUTTON PIN, 11. quilted bag, 12. Girl's open knit hat with detachable flower, 13. Embroidery in progress, 14. Doll for Greta, 15. lots of buttons, 16. Hearts and hearts and little hearts...

Enjoy!
xx

new button necklace!

Okay, so I still haven't given that monkey a head, but I can't get the sewing machine out at the moment... no space in the midst of renovations!

I have, though, made a new button necklace tonight, in gorgeous autumnnal browns and burnt oranges. I think this is my new favourite! And, it is now available at my etsy.*

It feels good to have done something creative tonight... thanks K for coming over for tea and giving me a little creative boost!

Have a happy Monday everyone!

xx

*sorry, a blatant plug there...

still no head for the monkey... but an exciting parcel in the mail!

Photo originally posted by Julia Laing

Hello! Just received this gorgeous bag in the mail on Friday, and had to show it off. The very clever Julia Laing made this. It came all the way to sunny Melbs Australia from the UK... (again, more o/s travel in my clothing, accessories and softies than I have had!). I was extremely fortunate to have won this on Julia's blog.

Thanks so much Julia, I love this bag, and it goes beautifully with my favourite jacket, which is a gorgeous shade of blue. This bag is what I refer to as a Mary Poppins bag - it is much bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside - so when I went out with is, I was able to fit in my wallet, camera, phone and a beanie. I love this fabric, and what I really love about the design, is the handle, which always has a lovely shape, whether is is being carried or is resting on a table/chair/lap. Can't wait til it is warm enough down here to wear with a light flippy skirt... I definitely feel very feminine and lovely carrying this bag!!!

Thanks Julia - I will be keeping a very close eye on your shop for more goodies!
xx

(now, back to sealing the bathtub!)

a bit quiet on the crafting front

1. monkey minus head, 2. doorknobs, 3. plants from the lounge room, 4. jessica the elephant - close up

Hello! (in case you crafters are still out there?)

Just a very quick post to apologise for my lack of crafting content of late... I am one of those people who believes that if you start something with a clear purpose (eg. this blog, talking crafting and creativity) then you should stick to that purpose, and it seems I have strayed....

So, the reason I have perhaps strayed a little is that I have (sadly) had no time for crafting or even scouring the world for incredible crafters.... we have been renovating! (Please don't read the exclamation mark as unbridled enthusiasm... it is some exhaustion, some frustration and a little bit of manic giggling as things don't quite turn out how we would have liked!)

What I can show you today is photos of a number of works in progress.... some renovation work, some crafting work... enjoy, and I hope to be back to the land of creating (and finding inspiration) very soon!
xx

I have been tagged!

Thanks Miss Cinti from my poppet for tagging me to join in this game... my first tag! And Lou Lou for tagging me again!

First the rules:

A. Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves.

B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog....so off we go!!!


1. I am still completely smitten by my lovely hubby. Even when he's grumpy. Even with I'm grumpy. He's lovely.

We met at school, where I remember thinking he was one of the funniest and most fun boys to be around. He was my mate, we dated after school, broke up, went our separate ways.... then years later we "bumped into each other" via a group email, he came back to Aus, we got married and are living happily ever after. The End.

2. I call my mum and dad on the telephone - a lot! Quite often I will chat to one of them for my whole commute home from work (hands free everyone... quite legally). They are two of my very favourite people in the world (I am a lucky gal!).

3. I squeeze pimples. I know, it's disgusting, but I do it anyway... oh! and I scratch mozzie bites as well... terrible behaviour. I do intend to floss my teeth every day. I just forget...or don't feel like it.

4. I cannot stand advertising that uses children as props or gimmicks. Children are real little people, not status symbols or objects to be manipulated. I love children and am absolutely passionate about child rights, and supporting families and communities to look after their kids as best they can. I am dearly hoping one day to have a big family (we're working on it).

5. I sing every day, but only in private. Usually in the car, or in the shower. I used to dream that I would be an opera singer. I wish I could sing for my job... I wish I were that good at it.

6. I love Weetbix with cold soy milk and brown sugar... yum! I also love olives, sushi, chocolate, blue cheese and Jock's icecream's hokey pokey (but not all at once!)

7. People always assume that I am younger than I am. I think this is great (though can be frustrating too!). I think it is because I smile a lot, laugh a lot, grin a lot and am a generally happy human being. I also get really openly excited about exciting things. People don't seem to expect this as you get older.

8. My favourite books in the world all make me cry... Jane Eyre, The Time Travellers Wife, and Henry and Amy (yes, it's a children's picture book! but more on that another time).

Now, to tag some friends in blogland:

Linny T
Raggy Rat
Veronica Darling
Dear Fii
Scrappers

Thanks everyone have a fun Friday!
xx

lucky me... a gorgeous gift from greenolive!

I had the most wonderful surprise waiting for me today when I got home.... gifts from greenolive!!!

Now, for those of you who don't know greenolive, you should definitely visit her website! Greenolive is Martine Booth, a Melbourne woman who produces some amazingly beautiful crafts.

Just recently I was fortunate enough to win a prize on her blog. It arrived this afternoon, after a looong day at work, and really did brighten up my whole day, and I think will brighten up my whole week... whole month!

So, show and tell time... Here is the package as it arrived (I love this packaging... gorgeous!), and once it was unpacked.

I LOVE all of these brooches!!! I love that they are all hand-stitched (beautifully) and the fabric and colour combinations are just glorious... and thanks for all of the pink and red! Lovely!!! The summery colours and designs of the cards are also gorgeous, and will come to good use as I have recently started sending snail mail again... a lovely personal thing to do I think! (Funny that I have started this recently, now that I am spending so much time online).

(Can you tell by all of my exclamation marks that I am a little excited?!?)

Martine, I hope you don't mind that I tried one out in my hair... when I looked at the lighter pink one I realised how well it would go with my favourite racing carnival dress, and thought perhaps I could wear it as a fascinator?!? I think it looks lovely in hair, too? (Please ignore the saggy I-have-been-in-meetings-or-at-a-computer-all-day-eyes!).


(Ha! Love this look of concentration on my face as I take a self portrait... funny.)

Anyway, a very warm thankyou to Martine --- these are just so beautiful... you have motivated me now to come out to the Mt Dandenong markets and check out your stall! (For those of you not in sunny Melbs you can visit Martine online)

Have a fun week everyone, and thanks again for popping by!xx

ps.... more summer pickles cheeky monkeys in production at the moment... keep an eye open for an update very soon!

summer pickles softies getting out and about!

my babies
Originally uploaded by plur_bitch_plur

This is a photo posted by plur bitch plur after receiving Brett the Sausage Dog. Looks like he has already made a friend!

I really do get a kick out of photos taken of my softies once they "leave the nest".

Penelope the Kangaroo has also been out and about, and now actually has her own flickr site! You can see what she has been up to in Poland by visiting her here.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.... it is a lovely one in Melbourne!
xx

flashback friday! sunday best - 1984

Okay, so this flashback friday for me really is about Sunday Best... these are photos of my first holy communion.

I remember these classes after school each week in the lead up - there were lots of people I didn't know in these (we went to public schools but then went into the catholic schools for all of the "training" for the big catholic events). My favourite thing about the classes (and scripture at school) was the singing. I think perhaps if there had been a greater focus on music in the church at that time, then I may have stayed involved for a little longer. I barely remember this day at all. I remember standing out the front with Dad, having mum take these photos, but don't remember much of the actual day at all - I think I must have been nervous (I tend to forget these times when I am really nervous).

I remember that after the day I got into trouble from the nun Sister Eileen, because once the photos were printed, she had discovered I was looking at the photographer in the church when he took the photo of us all lined up to receive communion... apparently I wasn't paying enough attention to the priest!

I used to love Sister Eileen, she was a bit intimidating, but for a while there (around this time) I really wanted to be a nun. That was until I realised that the Pope didn't allow contraception (even then I was worried about those women and families who felt having children was out of their control... public health leanings already?!?). I also remember thinking that most of my good friends were boys and how would I go living without them.

I really like these photos... I think I look really sweet in these... (hubby just thinks I look like a massive nerd!)... and I love my Dad's hair and moustache in the first photo!

Looking forward to checking everyone else out now.... happy flashback friday!

xx

Pay It Forward Craft Exchange

I saw this on kwoozy's blog, and signed up to pay it forward... this is what it is in a nutshell:

I will send a handmade gift to 3 random people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week… LOL… but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

So, let me know your favourite colour(s) when you leave a comment, as well as your preference for button jewellery or a softie, and in two weeks I will randomly select one person who will receive a handmade gift from me! I will alter this promise a little and aim to have your gift in the mail and on its way to you by the end of November.

Two weeks to comment, everyone!
xx

flashback friday! (oops... monday!)... music

Well hello there! Apologies for the looong delay with my flashback friday.... I am rapidly running out of old photos (most are interstate still with my mum and dad), and then got absorbed in packing boxes (yes, we are moving!).

But, having now gotten myself organised, selected three (!) photos and sitting down at the computer I have realised that these photos are actually from 1986.... bother! Not sure if I am now officially disqualified (?) but will share the story anyway...

three little maids from school are we....

Yep, it's a young person's version of The Mikado! In this close up shot just above you can see me in the blue kimono in the middle. One of the things that really makes me laugh is the HIDEOUS makeup they piled on! We were told to white out our eyebrows and draw new ones on half way up our foreheads, and then, the eyeliner! (Terrible on so many levels) I remember being really worried about the top of my kimono popping open during the show, so I think mum pinned it up for me.

In the above shot is Lyndal (my best buddy for much of primary school) and ?Judith. Lyndal was extremely confident... at that stage in my life I was much more of a timid little thing, so Lyndal was great fun to be around. I also remember that her dad had the very best biscuits at his work... chocolate biscuits with marshmallows and Iced Vovos! (so exciting!)

Terrible that I can remember this level of detail, but can't remember everyone's names.

All of the people in this production were still at school. I remember the older boys and girls looked extremely old to me! The woman in the pink kimono was stunningly beautiful, and I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. I think her name was Sam, but I am not sure now... The older boys were funny - I remember during one of the shows one of them sat down and flashed his undies to the audience... absolutely accidental but it got a lot of laughs and he hammed it up to get more giggles out of it.

And I wanted to include this last photo just so you could get a glimpse of the very simple but lovely set. That backdrop was painted by one of the kid's mums, and the trees were branches with crepe paper flowers attached. Lovely!

Happy Monday everyone xx

lovely places in my favourite city of melbourne .... and thanks

I was on my way to a work do the other day and found this gorgeous shop hidden away in a little laneway... I love Melbourne! Happiness hiding round every corner...

Thankyou too to those of you who wished me congratulations and who seemed to be as excited as I was last week when I was on the front page of etsy.... it was so lovely to have the support of all you lovely people out on blogland! And thankyou too of course to my very first purchaser!

(Oh, and about flashback friday... sorry everyone, think it's going to be flashback sunday at this rate! I have to find more photos...)

happy saturday xo