Roses & goodness

Thinking about the lovely treasures I found at the op shop in Kyenton yesterday. Lucy & I found ourselves wandering happily through the sweetest oppie ever. The cheery sounds of the op shop ladies chattering away filled the space reminding me how very important it is to belong, to share our daily lives with others. This little jug winked at me from a shelf, hello I said, come live with me,

and I will love you & fill you with roses.

While Lucy looked at the fabric I turned the next corner and found this dear little box.

Full of coloured knitting needles and sewing bits.

So sweet.

We also bought a spotty bag and some fabric for Lucy.

On the way out we looked in the window and marvelled

at the display of gorgeous old plates & cups.

Hiding near the edge was Mrs Cow Jug.

Oh! What a thrill! My Nan had a jug just like this

so of course it had to come home with us too.

We scooted back inside in time to see a woman collecting the money she had 

dropped on the floor earlier, lots of oohing and ahhing re the 

kindess of the Finder (so true), we paid our $3 and walked

out with a spotty bag full of roses & goodness. 

Feeling....the happy weight of the many things I am juggling at the moment. You  know that good feeling that comes when you are satisfied with your lot? When you are challenged but  not despairing?

That's me right now. Lots on the go and all feels right. 

Partly I'm happy as although I'm not working at the moment I feel like I'm contributing to some really worthwhile things, besides looking after our family. I'm enjoying the Oral History project I'm involved with, my involvement at our school is very satisfying & I'm nervously looking forward to the Foster Care training I will be doing this weekend. 

Loving watching iview and ironing at the same time! Weird but true. Today I snuck in Grand Designs, one of my favourite shows. Have you watched this one? So inspiring. 

And, I wrote a poem today. Did I ever tell you I majored in poetry while studying Professional Writing  & Literature?  It's a long time ago now, and I only dabble in poetry these days. It felt good to write one today, I was thinking about my Dad & the words just came. Maybe I'll show you sometime.

Also loving..these two new cardi's knitted by Mum. If only I had the time to make bunnies...I can't seem to find it lately. Sometimes I just have to just have faith that a pocket, a little window will open and somehow there will be time to sew. Loving too, Room by Emma Donoghue. Have you read it? I remember reading about it and thinking I wasn't that interested, but once I picked it up I couldn't put it down.

Feeling...a lot of love for my family. A little demented by my family. Aware that I have a party to organise, meals to cook, washing to do, tempers to sooth, lists to write. Also feeling lucky that we are all well and warm and safe in our little house in Daylesford. The sun is coming out now, time to go and feed the ducks.

Hope all is well in your part of the world, 

what are you feeling, loving, thinking about today?

See you soon, dear friends xo

Book love

I've always loved reading, it's one of the great pleasures of my life. I remember being in grade 2 and finishing all the readers for the whole year in the first term, such was my love at an early age. Mark is a big reader too and we are happily passing this wonderful love affair with words down to our kids.

All of them were read to as babies & toddlers and they continue to love & treasure books. There's nothing better than snuggling up at bedtime and finding ourselves immersed in another world, a world of words & ideas & often amazing images.

Something I have been really enjoying lately is reading to Lucy. At ten she is a very confident reader but we have both been benefiting from my reading books to her in the evening. As well as being a relaxing and peaceful thing to do it's also been a bonding time and a way for her to learn about the world and other experiences & ideas.

We are both loving the very beautiful book, I am David, by Anne Holm. Did you read it as a child? I did but I'm finding I had forgotten quite a lot of it, or perhaps I didn't take in some of the finer details when I was younger.  It is such an amazing book and brings up so many questions about humanity & life, I think both Lucy and I have been a times quite affected the challenges faced by David who has to struggle on by himself in a world he doesn't really understand. At almost eleven years old Lucy is about to enter the next part of her life as a pre teen and it's good for us to explore some of the ideas & themes presented in I am David together, and also to share a special time with each other. I wonder what our next book will be? Do you read with your kids?

Bill has always been into books and spent yesterday afternoon re reading a favourite.  

I know that ipods and wii and computers & all the other electronic devices are always going to be

popular but I'm so glad my kids have books in the lives too,

a love of reading is truly the gift of a lifetime.

Besides reading we also got to spend some time outside in our garden over the weekend.

It's so strange seeing green grass at this time of year, it's usually so brown & dry. Our tomatoes are starting to turn red,

and there is so much else to eat and enjoy. Zucchini's, basil, parsely, red onions, carrots, strawberries...yum!

Oh and the logan berries that creep over our neighbours fence!

Max is very cheeky and in a typical cocker spaniel way he likes to raid the chook yard for scraps. Here he is is with half an apple, good score!  On a sad note our beautiful quince tree has broken in half and is torn at it's base. It is probably my favourite tree in our garden and I have been waiting patiently for it's gorgeous quince's to be ready for me to make into jelly. I hope it will survive and keep growing for many years to come, it's such a special tree.

What did you get up to on the weekend? Hope it was fun! It's very cold in Daylesford today, almost like a winters day. The children went off to school in shorts and skorts, I bet their little legs are freezing!

Hope you have a great week, see you soon xo

Fleamarket Finds

It's been a bumper week folks, a happy whirl of treasure hunting for Captain Dandelion. I found this stack of Georgette Heyer reprints, which I knew my mum would like, at the good old MS Oppie. I also picked up a copy of The Boy in the Striped Pyjama's by John Boyne, which I finished last night. An interesting and moving book, have you read it? Give me a yell if you'd like to read it and I'll send it on. I'm thinking of doing a second hand book swap soon..what do you think?

That naughty winter light is playing havoc with my photography...this blanket is the most adorable mossy green, much prettier than it looks above. I have a little project in mind for it which I'll show you when I get around to it. I came across this sweet baby blankie on a trip to Trentham this week.

And also this owl embroidery, it came up quite nicely after a soak.

Now I just need to find the right spot to hang it.

I also found this glass mug, I have a collection now, this is the third.




They all have corny/cute messages on the other side.
I'm guessing they are 70's items?

More excitement at the Anglican Trash & Treasure on Friday. Although it was harder to find treasures this time I still came away with a few beauties. This mirror was $2 and is so heavy and solidly made. It reminds me of a mirror in a church, or some place of business. It has a real feel about it, a sense of history and life.

Just think of all the faces it has seen. The reflections of so many people who stopped to pause for a moment.

I am in love with this fire engine red money box too.

My guess is that is was used in a train, bus or tram. See the ridge along the top?

It looks as if it fitted/slotted into something, and could be detached later.

Or maybe it was used at the footy by ticket sellers? I'd love to know.

Anyway, it's ace and Billy seems to have claimed it.

Yesterday the girls and I headed over to Creswick to check out a church garage sale. The lovely men and women couldn't have been more friendly, down to earth and sweet. It was a cold old day and the wind was blowing into the hall but they were so chatty and kind to my girls. One lady told us how she once rode her pony, Dolly, to school in Dean. Rosie thought that was the best thing she'd ever heard. We found a few bits and pieces which I'll show you next week, along with something extra special! I'm so excited about it and can't wait to show you. (When I get it home)

Hope you had a happy week, I'm off to Sophie's for a sticky beak, see you soon sweeties xo

My Creative Space

It's funny how things can change from one week to the next isn't it?

Last week I was all about taking it easy creatively, not stressing about lack of output, taking in things around me in a mellow (ish) kind of way, blah, blah, blah....

Well it's a new week and on Monday night I suddenly needed to sew. I unearthed this little cloth book I started a year or so ago. As you can see it's a little creased and has a long way to go but I'm looking forward to trying to finish it. And I want to do it now! Not after I finish the lunches for tomorrow, not after we do readers, put another load on, shut the ducks in, feed the dogs, NOW!

But it's not always that simple is it? As a maker of things who is also a mother I need to get up early, stay up late, fit in with what's happening at home and usually put that first. Or do I? This brings up memories of my father who never let the domestics get in the way of art. He did what he wanted to do and that was that. Not so for my mum who took up the slack and not only worked full time but created a happy, loving, creative home. Is it easier for men or am I biased because of my own family life?

I guess my problem this week is that now I'm all inspired I haven't got any time!! I'm fired up to make some brooches out of these magnetic letters but I haven't had a chance to even get out the hot glue gun. I'm keen to work on my little cloth book, to finish some bunnies, to unearth my scrap quilt, to frame up some photos.

Ahh...what's the hurry? Three of my kids are sick this week & need looking after so that's where my priorities are right now. It's raining and cold outside to we'll crank up the heaters, have a quiet day and who knows..I might find a little creative space for me.

I'm sure I'll find some time to day to work on my Love Hearts, early in the week before sickness hit I got into a rhythm with these little colourful lavender hearts. Choosing, cutting, pinning, sewing, filling...boy it was satisfying. I hope to find a more regular space in the day/evening so that I keep in the loop and stay inspired. When do you do your creating?

Hope to see your space over at Kirsty's today,

see you soon

sweeties x

Flea Market Finds

This is my first time playing along with Sophie from Her Library Adventures with her excellent meme Fleamarket Finds. As you may already know I am a compulsive op shopper & also love junk shops, bazaars, markets of all kinds & garage sales. I've also been known to peek into skips, poke around at the tip & eye of hard garbage. I think it's a genetic thing. Like my bunions but a whole lot better.

Anyways, this week I found this sweet little Japanese music box, and guess what? Although I have four daughters who would all love it....I kept it for myself!

It plays Raindrops in a funny, jaunty kind of way. I love it's little red door way,

and of course the ballerina who lives inside.

It seems that half one of her arms has broken off but that doesn't stop her from dancing.

This lovely treasure cost all of $1.50. Ahhhh...country op shops, you're the best.

From the same oppy came these two books. Check out the kooky/evil eyes on the March sisters above! Is that Bette Davis top right?

Jennifer sure new how to give a good present back in the 60's. Wonder where she & Barbara are now?

Also on the book front I'm loving the illustrations in this book, Mary Goes Travelling (by Gilbert Delahaye & Marcel Marlier).

You may recognise them from Pip's banner. On each page a wonderful scene unfolds, usually with a little sausage dog called Poppet.

Lastly I must show you this doona cover I found for Bill. It's covered in vintage Australian stamps & he loves it!

What a great score. This one is definitely too good to cut up!

For more Flea market finds go and have a look here, and enjoy the rest of your weekend, where ever you are xo