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

My Creative Space

The seasons are changing here in the little town where we live. The summer seems like a long lost dream and the days are grey and cold. Yesterday it felt like snow was just a whisker away, the wind blew and the rain was icy & horizontal & today brings more of the same.

Good weather for crafting though! In between attempting/ignoring the housework and hanging with Rosie I managed to get a little bit done.

Playing with offcuts is always fun. I'm trying to finish off the little gifts I am making for the winners of my recent giveaway. And some extra's for upcoming markets and pressies for friends.

I've also been doing a spot of my new favourite hobby...dying clothes! This cream coloured op shopped top was pretty but I never wore it.



And now I do! The colour isn't as even as I would have liked but it's not too bad.

I have been really enjoying making a boy bunny too.

He started off with just blue overalls and spotty ears. Somehow he ended up with an eye patch..

...and I'm not sure it will end there! Billy suggested I give him an anchor tattoo.

Yes there is an eye under there...

and a mean looking scar on his leg. I'm trying to think of a name for him, something not too scary but definitely piratey! Any suggestions? Anyway me hearties...I better get over to Kirsty's to see what you land lubbers are up to! Hope you have a happy & creative week, see you soon xo

Chaos & happiness

It's been a cold & grey week so far, here in Daylesford. But in amoungst the somewhat dreary weather there has been some sunshine breaking through the clouds and some lovely cosy times at home & out.

A friend visited last week, for the first time, and looking around at my house she was obviously struck by the clutter/mess/chaos. As a reader of my blog perhaps she had imagined my home in a different way, I hope I don't portray it as a tidy and organised space, because it isn't! It was late when she called in, the kids school bags and projects were scattered around and yes, there was that Friday night-it's-been-a-long-week type feel.

It's funny how a fresh set of eyes, or a harmless comment, can make you go into a tail spin! The next day I tided like a maniac, fussed and flapped and chucked. And guess what? It doesn't look much different. The leaves are still finding their way under the front door, the kitchen floor could do with a wash, the piles of washing keep growing and the sense of happy chaos is still here.

Our house is our home and a space where we can be ourselves, be a family. It will never be an immaculate show piece but I hope it will always be a place filled with colour and imagination, questions & adventure, comfort & cosiness. The dishes get done, the kids have clean clothes and lots of cuddles, they are warm, fed, listened too and loved. So I'm not obsessing about it any longer! Do you keep up with all the housework? Are you a good organiser? Is your house super tidy? I like things to be organised and tidy but I have had to surrender to some of the chaos and disorder, otherwise I would go mad.

So yes, life can be messy both at home and sometimes in relationships, or in the community where we live. Some recent events have got me thinking about the ups and downs of life. There will always be challenges, it's really how we deal, cope & grow with life that makes the difference. I always aim to be positive and try and work things out, even if it is hard sometimes. Just as I hope my home is a welcoming and happy place it's important to me to try and be a thoughtful & caring person too.

Housework will always be there but lets face it, there are some much more important things to be doing! Like making a String of Hearts for new baby, Rose. Oh how lovely to see a new baby, the dear little sweetie, so adorable.

And meeting up with some ace local women at Craft night last night! What a fun evening we had,

chatting and sitting by the fire at Peppers, sipping soothing drinks, having a laugh and crafting, of course. I couldn't think of a nicer bunch of people to hang out with & I can't wait for next Craft night!

I was also so happy to this week to receive this gorgeous little frame from Bec as part of her recent giveaway! Thanks so much Bec for making this especially for me, I love it!

I'm thrilled too that our biodynamic garlic is now for sale at Cliffy's in Daylesford! Have you visited this fantastic local cafe/grocer? Filled with locally grown & sourced produce it really is a little piece of heaven. So many delicious things, and excellent coffee too. I love the atmosphere of Cliffy's, the low lights and warm fire make it such a cosy place to meet for a cuppa.

So, enough about me, what's been happening with you? Hope all is well in your world, see you soon xo

Fleamarket finds

Morning! Do you like my strawberry calendar? The kids love changing the dates..

I just love it's beautiful red colour.

Are you having a happy weekend? I'm feeling a bit worn out and slightly flat as it's been a tiring week with some drama & stress so I'm taking it quietly today. F.F. is a great distraction, thanks Sophie!!

This is Teddy, Sunday's much loved, special mate. Teddy got her very own teddy, via a gargage sale I went to this morning. It was damp and misty and the road to Eganstown was icy, but I was glad I went because I found Little Ted, and an excellent cane couch & two chairs, for Mum's new deck.

Also from the garage sale was this ace doctors kit for $2. Rosie has been applying bandages, taking temperatures and tending the to sick and infirm with great tenderness.

I found her nurse's apron at Vinnies, now she just needs a little cap!

This sweet little jug cover wasn't found by me but instead found its way to me, a gift from my lovely neighbour & friend. Isn't it delicate and pretty? I love it,

Here is me trying to look foxy in my newly dyed, op shop dress. I'm loving this dress and the fun of taking something that's not quite right, and giving it a new look, all for a few dollars.

Finally, my dear Fleamarket Friends, I'd like to introduce you to my new craft basket.

She eyed me off at the MS Oppie and after a amall amount of money was exchanged we left quickly, arm in handle. She once carried sandwhiches and a thermos, with the odd bottle of vino on special occasions. She probably also saw her fair share of lamingtons and waxy paper but she is moving on, to a new world. A world where partly made bunnies will be popping out of her round bits, and fabric and needles and pins will be packed away under her lid. I can't wait to take her for a test run at this weeks craft night!


Have you had any good finds lately? I love popping around, via Sophie's, to see what you have found. Have a great week sweeties, see you soon xo

My CreativeSpace

It's been a good, productive week here at Dandelion HQ, although there is always alot going on around here, and I never feel like I am ever on top of things (ie housework) I have been really enjoying my creative space.

I'm happy to be working on a few bunnies at the moment. This little girl is finished and I'm just toying with changing her cardi from red to blue.

It's so much fun working with the new alpaca offcuts.

They are a dream to sew with, and each time I finish a bunny I can see little heart shapes in the scraps.

This latest bunny will be hard to part with. She is the softest, sweetest girl ever. I love her op shopped, table runner ears, the pattern has a gorgeous Scandanavian feel. And there is something about her expression that captivates me.

I wasn't sure how the white alpaca would look but I'm loving it. I have some other thrifted fabric, a top & some pj pants, that will also look gorgeous with the white.

There has been some wonderful colour, inspiration and love in my week. Following a very sad and teary phonecall from littlest to biggest, our Charlotte arranged a special trip home to make cupcakes & milkshakes with Rosie on Sunday. It's hard for us all not having Charlotte close by, Rosie misses her alot and was so happy to have her big sister home. I can't wait for the holidays when she will be back for ages and we can hang out together and be silly and chat and have fun.

Also inspiring me is my honey, Mark, who works so hard teaching teenagers all day and is busy correcting work, planning & getting reports done at night. It's not an easy job but he hangs in there and is a fantastic teacher. I don't mention Mark much (because I like to keep him to myself!) but he is such an amazing supportive partner and I love him so much! And he is a good bunny advisor too. Did I also mention he is an wonderful dad? It's not always easy finding kid free time together, but I'm hoping we can sneak away for a weekend soon.

Yesterday I pulled out the die pot for a spot of refashioning. This aqua coloured op shop dress looked a bit like a nightie...

After a good old dunk in some Gun Metal Grey on the stove top it is looking much better, and more wearable.


It will probably not be as dark when totally dry, but with a colourful cardi or scarf I think it will look pretty good!

I have a bit of a thing for taking photo's of clothes hanging on my veranda! The shapes, the shadows and patterns, for some reason I love it.

Can you see the house across the road & the blue sky & clouds through the fabric.

What have you been making lately? Have you had an inspiring week?

See you over at Kirsty's, bye for now sweeties xo