Keep your eyes open

Do you like the new little doll I made last week? 

She was going to be a bunny but somehow she grew hair instead of ears. I'm entering her in an exhibition in Melbourne called "I say Doily's, You say Doyley's".  I can't wait to see what the other doily entries look like, I'm sure it will be a mixed bag! Fun!

I'm also working hard on stock for my shop, Rosie might find it hard to say goodbye to this little one,

but she has three bunnies of her own now so she can't be too lonely. 

Have you had a good weekend? We have, it seems like we fit a week into just two days! There's been a lot going on. It started with a bit of a scare on Friday at school pick up with the kids bringing out a warning about a grass fire nearby.  Luckily no one was hurt and the fire was brought under control quickly by the amazing local CFA. Where would we be without them? The fire burnt over sixty hectares but was stopped before any homes were burnt, or people hurt, thank god. On our way to Ballarat on Saturday we passed the burnt fields, a small reminder of the dreadful bush fires we had in a couple of years ago.

Even though it was a stinking hot day yesterday, the girls had fun at ballet and danced so beautifully.

 I managed to take some sneaky some shots of dear Sunday too,

looking out the window so thoughtfully - I wonder what she was dreaming of..

The girls and I like out Saturday routine, mostly. They catch up with ballet friends,  get to sing loudly to their favourite music in the car, to watch the beautiful country side out the window, stop for toilet breaks at amazing old churches,

to watch the shadows, the shapes of the hills, the hazy summer skies,

and all the birds and animals. Yesterday we watched these cows dipping their hot bodies in a dam. 

Last night I went out with some friends and we popped into the fabulous Jimmy's Bar, just around the corner in Vincent St. I loved everything about it, the drinks, the menu, the wooden tables and touches of glamour. It's so nice to have somewhere new and gorgeous to meet up with mates or to have a quiet dinner with my honey.  Today Sunday & I went walkabout - we found lots of special places like this red door, and this amazing old shed, below. We're so lucky to live in an area that is FULL of treasures..so many amazing things out there if you keep your eyes open!

What's happening in your world? Have you been having a heat wave like us? Did you love the rain when it finally fell? Our garden sure did. Another storm has just begun and there is lots of thunder and lightning. Rosie just woke to the loudest BANG! 

Better go and tuck that little chicken in and hope we can all get some sleep, and uh oh! our back room is flooding..better run.

Hope you have a happy week,

see you soon xo

The week before Christmas..

Hi! These three happy faces are smiling so much because school has finished and we are on summer holidays!!! Woo hoo! I'm loving it already. I love to sit in bed in the morning with a cup of tea and read the paper, and just relax without rushing around like a headless chook!

We've had a busy end of term with another ballet presentation, this time it was Lucy's turn. Lucy began ballet only this year and has come a long way already. She danced beautifully on Saturday and we were so proud of her. She also helped out with the prep class this year and it was so sweet to see her getting cuddles and love from all the little ones backstage.

At school we had an emotional week for a couple of reasons, 

one of which was a much loved teacher was leaving after 13 years, there were many tears at the final assembly. Luckily the preps put on a beautiful nativity play which cheered us all up a bit...

and then there was Elvis... 

Yes, he has lost a bit of weight. I think he's ditched the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...

 So the clock is ticking and it's getting closer to Christmas! Are you excited? Exhausted? Organised or in a mess? I'm a bit of everything, although I think mainly I'm happy as life has slowed down and I really need that break from the whirl of busyness.

My kids are settling down too, they have been so tired and yes, quite cranky lately.  Not all of them, and not all at once, thank god, but I guess they need time to relax too.

We're all looking forward to Charlotte coming home on Friday! I love it when we are all together.

 

In the mean time there is plenty to do this week. Finish of Christmas cards, find homes for our baby ducks, clean up at school, get those last minute presents sorted, and today I'll have to clean up our sunroom that was seriously flooded last night after a massive and scary storm. I'm also hanging out to see a lovely friend who is just back from her big trip around Australia. Yay!

What are you up to?

I hope the week before Christmas is a happy one. I hope you find much to enjoy, to celebrate,

and to love. I hope you have some time to unwind, to relax, to see the small things of beauty, some time to laugh & have fun with your family and friends.  Life is so fragile isn't it? 

Much love to you all, 

                                                              see you soon dear friends xo

Saturday thoughts...

We've got a bit of a cockatoo situation at the moment. Attracted by the chook scraps a gang of cockatoos has been hanging out in our front yard, chewing the front fence, acting tough and generally being a bit of a nuisance.

They are a beautiful bird though so I can't be too cross. Lovely Betty from the Op Shop suggested I throw some plastic toy snakes on the grass to deter them. It seems to be working!

Do you like this little frock? I couldn't resist this little vintage dress that I found in an oppie the other day. I no longer have anyone who would fit into it...but  it has little white scottie dogs on it...and it's just so sweet!!

I might just hang it on the wall..:)

Yesterday I started cutting up the beautiful grey Italian wool fabric I bought at The Fabric Store.

I was keen to see how a bunny would look using different fabric.  It's more of a stream lined look, I like it! What do you think? 

Today I was so happy & grateful to have the chance to go and watch Billy & Lucy play for the Hepburn Burra's.

I think Bill caught me snapping away here, he looks a bit embarrassed!

Usually we are at ballet on Saturdays so it was ace to have the opportunity to  the kids play footy and netball. And Charlotte came too!

It's been pretty cold and wintery here lately. I think we are all suffering a bit from the winter blues. The kids are a bit ratty, I'm feeling frazzled...it's not all bad but I am feeling a bit house bound. How do you cope in the winter months? Do you get grumpy too?

At least it's good weather for baking! Today we came home and I whipped up some scones...mmmm.

There was a period of total silence (45 seconds maybe...) as everyone happily munched on scones with home made quince jelly and cream. Oh boy, yum yum.

And tonight ! Yes! We are going out to a friends house for dinner, woo hoo! I can't wait.

What are you up to this weekend?

Take care, see you soon xo

Snipping & Snapping

Do you like my new skirt? Recently I found a sky blue cashmere jumper at the op shop for a dollar that  was too big, the colour all wrong but so beautiful and soft. I'd been trying to think how I could change it, maybe dye it grey, sew in the sides...when suddenly I thought about turning it upside down and making it into a skirt!

Yesterday I took another jumper over to Phillippa's do do a test run. Made from lovely soft, black lambswool it was too small, but perfect for trying my idea out on. The bottom rib of the jumper became the waistband and with some snipping and overlocking it was suddenly a skirt! I'm in love with it. It's so warm and cosy.

The part where the sleeves began had to be incorporated into the skirt but they are actually a cute feature and add a bit of swish. I can't wait to start on the other jumper, Charlotte is off to Spotlight today so I must remember to get her to pick me up some charcoal dye. I"m loving this project! Daisy could care less, she just wants some loving.

Speaking of projects,

I have three little new cardigans that are inspiring me to make some new bunnies. I took some quick snaps of them today.

Aren't the colours snazzy?

This water melon one is delicious.

And so are these three who had a day off school last week.

And what did they do? Played ballet classes of course.

Anyway, I better get going. I'm a bit excited for today I am doing my first interview for Hepburn Voices.

We are recording the oral histories of people from our town,

and my lovely neighbour Jack, 

will be telling me all about his life while being filmed and recorded.

Talking of history, I'll leave you with a photo that I found the other day, of Mark & I.

I've made it my profile pic on Facebook and have had such sweet messages about it.

It's nice to remember the old days isn't it?

Hope you are having a happy week,

see you soon xo

Giveaway winner & Grateful Saturday

Saturday is ballet day, as you know, and it is fun but also tiring. I'm always a bit cranky when I get home as it's a long day & there is a fair bit of driving/snack making/organising/referring involved.  (I really need a few minutes (ie half an hour or so) to collect myself, to regroup, to unwind. But this doesn't usually happen so I just keep on trucking!)

 The girls love dancing and I'm happy to support them, it's fun to watch them improve, to see them being active & creative and making new friends, away from their home town which provides so much for them too.

I know we are lucky that we can afford to give our kids these opportunities, not every one can.
And while it's important for me to be home with the kids while they are young, not everyone can afford this either. So today I've been thinking about and feeling grateful that I have the life I do.

Meanwhile, yesterday I was all ready to post about the winner of my recent giveaway but Blogger wasn't playing nice.  Daisy got bored waiting and we both got a little hot under the collar. But we hung in there and Daisy put up with my raining number confetti down on her, waiting for one to land on her head.

Possibly a rather unusual way of drawing out a number but it seemed to work! I'm thrilled to announce that number 19, lovely Lisa has won the little butterfly bunny!! Yay for you Lisa!! Can you please email me your address and I"ll pop her in the post asap.

Thanks to everyone for their comments on the giveaway post. I loved hearing the little bits & pieces about you. People are so endlessly interesting,

and we all have a story don't we?

So it's Saturday night and it's been another frosty, cold day.

We are having a roast tonight, wafts of deliciousness are winding their way through the house,

and I'm feeling nice glass of wine calling my name.

I hope you are nice & warm & cosy,

wherever you are. And thanks Maxabella for hosting today :)

See you soon xo