My Creative Space

This little project has been lying around the house in various stages over the last week.

Every now & then I have made a mad dash for the scissors or the sewing machine in an attempt to keep it going.

I have a set of metal hearts that hang, and swing from my front verandah and they were the inspiration for my own little fabric string of hearts. You probably know I'm a bit obsessed with this shape, it's so appealing to me.

I've used little scraps from vintage sheets and sewn them onto alpaca blanket, bits left over from bunny making. I think they look sweet hanging on the tree, I wonder how they will look in a baby's room? I wanted to make a present for my cousins new baby, do you think they will like it?

Max thinks they're ok..

...and so does Daisy.

But this is what they are really looking at!
Freddie & Emily! Quack, quack...

It's been a busy & at times, scary week here. Sunday has had bad asthma & was in hospital on Monday night. All the kids seem to have either asthma or are still recovering from their colds which has been hard on everyone. But hopefully they are finally getting better so fingers crossed!
I'm trying to get the kids to eat more garlic as it is so good for helping ward of nasty bugs and for keeping healthy. The garlic I grow with my friend Michelle & The Organic Paddock is selling really well & we're excited about planting our next crop in a week or two.

Besides little hearts on strings I've been bunny making, taking photo's, cooking & reading. I also had a fantastic time at our craft group this week. What a great bunch of local women, it was so much fun having a laugh, making this grey bunny, above, and seeing what other people are creating. We managed to cover some interesting topics too, hilarious! Have you had a creative week? Sometimes it's a matter of making it happen in between the chaos isn't it?

Hope you have a happy day, I'm off to check out some other spaces at Kirsty's,

see you soon,

...lots of love to you xo

Five kinds of beautiful...

Yesterday was Mother's Day, and although it was lovely to receive some gorgeous handmade cards and poems, flowers & chocolates, cuddles & kisses, it wasn't an easy day. Seven people in different stages of illness & recovery, all together in a confined space...a bit tricky at times! It was cold and grey outside and inside it wasn't much better. But in between the tough bits there were some happy moments, some laughs & some loving & a tiny bit of time to reflect on mother hood & my children.

When things aren't going well, when the kids are narky, bad tempered, moody & grumpy it can be really hard to be the patient, loving mum that I want to be. I've got better at riding through these times, better at managing them and working our how to deal with the different moods and personalities but it's still a huge challenge.

Individually my kids are all great people, all different, interesting, good people. Sometimes it's just hard to be together in a harmonious way. Lying in bed last night I was thinking about all the fun we have, the games the kids play, the silly songs & funny dances, the loving cuddles, the caring for each other - and I was thinking how we are all just growing up together, Mark & I as well. Learning to be together, learning about each other, it can take a life time.

Creative, beautiful, brown eyed, funny, gorgeous, thoughtful, special girl.

My blonde, blue eyed baby. Gentle, tall, dreamy, crazy, fun & sweet.

Funny, clever, kind, lovable, cheeky, chatty, enthusiastic, helpful, lovely boy.

Gentle, loving, wacky, sweet, intense, sunny days, blue skies, purple hairties, long soft hair & sleepy goodnights, our sunshine girl.

Lively, moody, passionate, loving, soft toys with funny names, colourful, energetic, huggable, beautiful, imaginative whirly girl.

Yes I think it's the hardest job in the world sometimes but there is nothing else I'd rather be than mum to my five. Hope you had a happy, loving weekend, see you soon xo

First things first, happy Mother's day to all of you mums out there, I hope you have a lovely day and celebrate the amazing job that you do. Our school held an amazing Mothers Day liturgy last week and it was so moving and beautiful I kept finding myself crying. The children sang,their dear voices telling us how much they love us, they read poems, hilarious and sweet and there was a slide show of photo's of all the mums & their kids. Afterwards we received cards and a little gift they had made. It was really the lovliest morning. One of the older girls read out a poem to her mother who had died, it was so brave of her, and so emotional. I don't think there was a dry eye in the room. This just reminds me of how important we are as mothers and that the bond we have with our children is one that can never really be broken. So enjoy your day today beautiful mums, and have lots of cuddles with your children.

I love this dear little framed portrait that looked up at me from the opshop, how could I refuse her? She will find a happy home on Sunday's wall where I am planning to hang a little group of thrifted framed finds. I'm thinking ballerinas and pretty flowers, won't that look sweet?


Ahh..the tip shop, home of cast offs, pre loved sweeties, treasures that had once been part of a family, part of a life..I am a real sucker for beautiful cast offs and the unwanted items, I can't help it...

This gorgeous ,white cane highchair was waiting for me last week. It's more of a high chair than a highchair, if you know what I mean. No tray or grungy food encrusted bits, thank goodness. I don't need it but boy do I like it.

How much Mr Tip Man? Awww...$2 sound alright? Yep, that sounds just fine, thankyou!

Do you like this little dolly bed?

It just needs a little crocheted blanket and a sleepy little toy to make it nice and cosy.

Finally I recently discovered these two tapestry bags at the MS Opshop,here in Daylesford.

The first one is older and so sweet, I love this detail of a fancy lady.

But I really like this one too, the colours and roses...gorgeous. Of course I'm looking forward to seeing what you have found this week. Do you think Sophie is up yet? I bet she is having a sleep in, I'll pop over later and see what other treasures have been discovered.

Have a happy day lovelies 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

Monday

I love Autumn. The cool nights and sunny days are just my cup of tea. Daylesford really turns it on at this time of year, Wombat Hill is awash with red, orange & gold. Actually when I first saw our house it was April 2004 and I can remember thinking how beautiful it all seemed, golden leaves in the garden, green grass and blue sky above.

I liked the house too of course, but the garden really won me over. The empty, old chook pen was tempting too, I couldn't wait to fill it with fresh hay and some happy chickens.



Did you have a good weekend? We spent lots of time outside - although Billy & Lucy were pretty exhausted after their school camp.

I had a nice little visit to the local Raglan Hotel, checked out their latest exhibition & chatted with Jo, the owner, about their plans for this fabulous building. I also popped next door to have a peek in the new shop, Dot & Herby which has gorgeous women's clothes, all designed & made in Melbourne.

Later in the day Sunday & I went for a bush walk, this time down to Hepburn where there are so many great walking tracks. We found an old fallen down house surrounded by fruit trees and old stone walls. I find these little scenes so poignant, almost spiritual, you can feel the sense of pioneering, of family, of daily lives. The shadows of the people who once lived here seemed to be there still, darting in and out of the sunlight.

Life would have been so different then, no internet, supermarkets, technology, electricity. Who knows what hardships this family faced? What joys, what happinesses.



I think it's important for children of today to know about the past, to learn about another time. I wonder what it would have been like waking to the beautiful bush, birds in the trees, giant gums and the sound of the bubbling creek below.

The rest of our weekend was all about cubby houses, playing shops, roller blades, picking tomatoes, tree houses, hanging with the ace kids from next door and lots of cooking for me!

Good old lamingtons, yum. You should make some soon, they are so delicious. If you would like a recipe send me an email.

And talking of delicious we also roasted baby garlic, oh my goodness does it taste amazing, so velvety & buttery..mmm!

What did you get up to? I feel like I haven't caught up with everyone lately. It's hard to keep up with so many lovely blogs. Hopefully I will be around soon for a visit. I'd love to sit down with you over a cuppa and have a chat & hear your news. See you soon sweeties xo

ps: look who was in The Age today!!

Fleamarket Finds

I love baskets. This is a selection of my favourites, all found in oppies or markets. I've been sorting out our sunroom/sewing room and these baskets are a great way to store wool and bits.

This pretty fabric was found at a garage sale yesterday. I love blue & white together.

This is a pretty poor picture of an amazing gunpowder box I bought for $10 at a local jumble sale. It's fantastic as it serves as a table, bench and has lots of space inside for toys & odd things.

This morning I had a little excursion to the Daylesford Market, fun!! I couldn't resist this little pram & tin bucket. When I get a sec I'm going to plant up the pram with succulants, or flowers, I'm not sure yet. The tin bucket is for mum who is always looking for things to plant in. Aren't they sweet?


Finally today a lovely vintage teatowel with a wild flower theme. I love the colours in this and I'm trying to decide whether to make it into a cushion or just hang it on the wall. Have you found anything colourful, sweet, beautiful or interesting lately? I'm off now to check out more treasures at Sophies xo