party girl

Today is a quiet day, a happy, sleepy day as we recover from Sunday's sleepover birthday party extravaganza!

For weeks she has been counting down till the 11th, and yesterday she waved goodbye to 7 and said hello to 8!

And what a great celebration Sunday had. She loved all her pressies, including little Chickie, made by gorgeous Jess, and her quilt cover, made by her measurement challenged mum (yep, I made it too short... but it's fixable!)

The day was made brighter by a visit by one of her fairy godmothers, Michelle, who also stayed for a turn or two of charades. I've never seen someone demonstrate a rocking horse so enthusiastically! That girl can really rock!)

The party was a blast, with lots of dancing,

games and a walk up the street, saying hello to everyone we met!  We played Sweet & Sour do you know that game? If someone says hello back they are Sweet and if they don't, you guessed it...! Funny.

Back home the girls painted photo frames, .

and inspirational words.

They played pass the parcel, Bobs & Statues & the Smartie game.

They loved the newspaper fashion show too, lots of very cool and creative outfits!

After dinner it was time for dessert! We didn't have a cake this year but made Smushin's instead. 

Two scoops of ice cream on a placemat + bowls of treats + a fork = yum!

Thanks to Jamie Oliver for the inspiration.

We all sang Happy Birthday (in between watching Hairspray) and then it was time for a night walk!

The girls loved being out in the dark, they cackled & giggled, shrieked & sang, it was hilarious! I think we even scared some big tough firefighters who were trying to have a serious meeting at the fire station.  You should have seen the looks on their faces as the girls danced past, twirling & spinning and talking at the tops of their voices! Very funny!

Back at home they snuggled down in their sleeping bags and eventually went off to sleep. Today we had pancakes for breakfast and soon it was home time. What a lovely group of friends Sunday has, they were all so lovely, polite, funny and each one a gorgeous individual. I'm sure it will be a party Sunday remembers forever.

As I packed up their bits & pieces to take home I couldn't help but think how apt these painted words were.  

Bye for now lovely friends,

see you soon xo

Fleamarket Finds

Hi Boys & Girls (well Girls anyway..), have you been finding anything amazing lately in your travels around the oppies & markets? I've had a busy week so I haven't been up to my usual adventures....no tip shop either. But I do have some treasures to show you that I may not have blogged about before. The top photo is of a little doggie, Humphrey, who has been living with us for many years now. He sits on a cushion and is just so sweet. I had a phase of collecting china dogs so I have quite a few but he is a bit special.

Talking of cushions here is a favourite of mine...a kind of patchwork that probably has a name but I'm going with Wonky Scrap Patchwork with overlaid hand stitching.

I'd like to make something similar but I'm not sure how to begin...

As it is Sunday & I have been to church to see some children we know receive the Sacrament of Confirmation it seems appropriate that I also show you this lovely frame that hangs in my bathroom. I've always been drawn to religious images & quotes, which is odd as we were not brought up with any religion. I remember when we moved into our house in Fitzroy as children there was a small frame on the mantlepiece that read "Seek, and ye shall find". I love this thought as it can be applied to so many situations.

Have you seen this little stitched picture before? I can't remember, but hey, it's so lovely you can see it again! I also really like birds and am forever looking at them in the garden, in the sky and listening for their different calls and songs. I love the colours in this and the homemade-ness of it, it's stuck to cardboard with tape at the back and is folky & sweet.

And here is sweet Sunday all dressed up for my dad's wedding last night. Her dress & cardi are both from local oppies and doesn't she look adorable?

More sweetness in these illustrations...loving the colours and the simple joy in them. I found this book at an oppie in Ballarat. Do you look at the children's books in opshops? I can't help it, even though we have a million books already. The illustrations and stories can be so inspiring.

I've had a crazy & at times emotional weekend, not to mention being pulled over by the police & then later locking my keys in the car. More on that later! Hope you had a happy and drama free weekend, I'm off to Sophie's for some distraction! See you soon sweeties xo

Fleamarket Finds

I wasn't going to join Fleamarket Finds today, I thought I'd just check out other people's treasures instead. That was before I went to the Sunday Market with Rosie, and a little trip to the Tip Shop!!



The market was full of happy eople & sunshine, what a combo! I found this framed picture which will go nicely with similar ones in the sunroom.




Rosie had only one thing on her mind, besides donuts, and that was a doll head with brushable hair! Excitement. She came home and has spent a long time grooming this rather scary creature. Lots of hair clips and some serious brushing.




Today I spent a happy hour cutting out fabric for a vintage quilt, inspired by Red Chocolate's recent post. This quilt above was found at an oppy recently and is airing in the autumn breeze, out front.

Another market find this morning. A sweet ironing board & wooden iron.

As I was driving home from dropping Rosie at her friends house for a play a voice said to me "Go to the Tip Shop, there you will find treasure!!" I am so damn obedient, I went straight there! And yes, I found a little fire grate thingie for the fire place (night's are cold in these parts) & an ace box of coloured blocks.

And a fabulous box of vintage books!! I was going to just buy a couple but at $1 for the box it seemed like a bargain. Have you been treasure hunting lately? I'm going to have a squizz via Sophie's gorgeous blog. Enjoy your Sunday, see you soon xo ps: come see me tomorrow, I'm feeling a giveaway coming on....