selina's vintage

Facebook

2012-01-25T09:16:00.003+10:00

A bit of a reminder that selina's vintage is now on facebook. I'm hoping to get some time in the next week or so to do some updating of the blog, and my facebook page, and hopefully even manage to get some crafting done in there too! I've been thinking about some bunnies for Easter, is anyone interested? Offer up some colour combinations in the comments if you like, I always like to hear what colour combos other people like!

Vintage sheet swap!

2012-01-20T10:29:00.002+10:00

Feeling like a bit of a boost to your vintage sheet fat quarters collection? Head over to here to grab all the details and sign up, I have! This one is for Australian residents only though.

Filmlife Blogger Challenge

2012-01-14T14:25:00.003+10:00

When I read over on Cam's blog about the filmlife blogger challenge I initially wanted to join in, then changed my mind, then decided to jump in anyway. If you don't know already, the filmlife project and blogger challenge is a collaboration with Donate Life Week 2012 aiming to encourage and inspire young people to really think about, and discuss with their loved ones their thoughts and wishes on organ donation.

This is an issue close to my heart. For those new here or don't know already, I have cystic fibrosis. And one day in the not too distant future I will need a double lung transplant in order to save my life. The way my liver is going I will probably need one of those while they're at it!

Before I get to the three questions posed for the filmlife blogger challenge, I would like to share a little something. Until today I was not a registered organ donor. Shocked? I wasn't. I was actually under the impression that having a chronic illness meant I couldn't be a donor. Turns out I was wrong. In preparing for this blog post I was doing a little reading on the net and came across this page on the DonateLife website busting those myths and misconceptions people have about organ donation. I guess my point is that anyone can be ill-informed about these sorts of issues. For someone who is fairly knowledgeable about medical procedures and issues, who has seen first hand the impact a second chance at life in receiving donated organs and will someday herself need donated organs be unaware of certain facts, anyone can. It's not too late to educate yourself or admit you may be a little ignorant to the truth. Knowledge is power.

Now, onto those questions!

1. What’s your take on or experience with organ donation, and why did you choose to take part in the FilmLife Blogger Challenge?

Basically, I will need a double lung transplant one day in order to save my life. I have seen the impact this ultimate gift has on peoples lives as well as having seen friends and even a family member receive their donated organs and live wonderful second chance lives. I feel that the more people that can open up about their experience with these issues, the more people will be able to benefit.

2. If you were to donate your organs, which one would you love to donate, and why?

(nb. this question is intentionally quirky so feel free to be creative and have some fun with it)

I'm going to have to say corneas for this one. I have always loved my eyes and they are one of the few things in my body that work 100%! I did experience a weird side effect from some post surgery ketamine once where my vision went all hazy, it was the worst feeling, even worse than the pain from the surgery! I would love to think of someone seeing again through my eyes.

3. Who in your family would you need to talk to about organ donation, to be sure your loved ones knew your wishes?

Clearly tonight I'm going to have to have that discussion with my husband and 14 year old daughter. Their wishes have always been made clear, now I realise I can in fact donate as well, I will need to express this to them. Around the dinner table is where everything gets discussed in this house!

If you would like to join in with this challenge put together the three questions and answers and head over to CurlyPops' blog and join in the linky!

To register yourself on the organ donation register here in Australia, go here.

Explore....

2012-01-06T14:32:00.004+10:00

I was catching up on some blog reading in the first few days of the year, after all the crazy Christmas trading had me working more hours, and I came across a blog post by tinniegirl that got me thinking. In it she mentioned about her "word for the year" and I remembered how she had written this post the year before about the same thing. I briefly sat back and thought, what would my word be for the year, if I were to choose one. Immediately the word "explore" popped into my mind. Now, I'm not one to usually get into this sort of thing, so it was a little weird that any word at all would come to mind.

Over the next few days this word kept entering my head, so I let it, and I think it really does encapsulate all of the intentions I have for 2012. So, I'm going to lay it all out here, and give me some accountable record I can look back on over the year and see how it's all going. Just indulge me here won't you?!

I want to explore new crafts, and rediscover some old ones. I think knitting in particular, crochet didn't quite feel right in my hand. I also want to explore the silversmithing class I looked into briefly last year (or the year before??).

I want to explore new directions for my crafts. Maybe more retail outlets or even a bigger market environment, one with a bit more exposure (and where people are willing to pay more!).

I want to explore new friendships, and put myself out there a bit more. It's hard to make new friends at 36!

I want to literally explore more of this country! I do have plans for a trip to Melbourne this year (yeh Melbourne bloggers, look out!) but there are also places only a short drive away that I haven't been to yet.

I want to explore more options for my health. I need to stop living in denial so much and make a real effort, a real change. No one but me can do this, and I need to do it now.

I need to explore "yes". Not later, not tomorrow, not another day. Yes. Let's do that now. This one has been sitting quite close on my heart this last few days in particular. One of the roads I travel on up to 10 times a week heading to and from work claimed a life in a very tragic traffic accident. It happened only an hour before I was on it, heading home from work. She too was heading home, to the same suburb I live in, to a child the same age as mine, and this has left me feeling quite upset. I've lived with the knowledge that my illness will probably take my life, but there are still so many unexpected circumstances that can take it all away anyway. So no more "tomorrow", I need to say yes today.

So thank you Cathy, you somehow always manage to put the right post up at the right time for me, whether I tell you that or not. Here's to exploring all that this year has to offer!

xx

image from here

Good bye 2011.....

2011-12-31T16:48:00.006+10:00

What can I say about 2011? After last year, it certainly was welcome relief. It's actually been a little strange, surreal even, for me. This year saw me head to France, something that I have longed for, dreamed for, most of my life. I've felt weird since coming home and have never really understood why. Does this happen to most people when their only dream comes true? France always seemed like that dream that could just never come true, and when it did, left me feeling a little flat. So it's taken a little while to get over, if that makes sense! I felt that this year I wanted to make some changes in my life, reduce some clutter, find my way, and stop sweating the small stuff. I feel I've done that. I faced the first year hurdle of losing my beloved pets, China and Max, and have found love in some new furry additions to the family. I starting making quilts and bunnies again after what seemed like the biggest break ever (and I actually had thought I would never make them again) and really enjoyed it. I've made a great new friendship with a like minded blogger who I am so glad moved so very close to me. And in the last few weeks I've really had a good think about what I want to achieve for myself and my family this next year and it feels really good. I've also come to realise that I'm probably the most contented I have been in a very, very long time. I've always been a happy and positive person, but it really takes a lot of effort to achieve that, this year it has almost felt like a weight has lifted and I'm finally in a place where it just isn't as hard work to be that happy positive person, I just am.

I'm really looking forward to the next year. My eyes are open and things are clear. Thanks for stopping by all year, it has really meant a lot. I hope that 2012 is kind to all of us, happy new year everyone!

XX

image found here

Advent blog-a-long #24

2011-12-24T12:09:00.002+10:00

This is it! We've survived the countdown to Christmas!

I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Hug your loved ones, have lots of fun, and most of all, stay safe, we want you all back here again after Christmas.

lots of love,
Selina (and Millie!)xx

Advent blog-a-long #23

2011-12-23T16:56:00.004+10:00

So while Mr Vintage is still having his traditional birthday afternoon nap, I thought I would show off the gingerbread house the three of us made today! It's not often I can convince the Mr to get in the mood for these types of things, but I think the builder in him came out and he simply couldn't resist!

You have no idea how happy this wonky masterpiece is making me feel right now! I just love it! I went with a bought gingerbreadhouse kit as the last two years I have tried (and failed) to make one from scratch, maybe next year! And how cute are these little marshmallows I found, so adorable! There are little reindeers too!

Only two more sleeps now people! Oh, and Happy Birthday Mr Vintage!

Advent blog-a-long #21

2011-12-21T16:27:00.002+10:00

Normally by this time I have done a lot more Christmas baking than I have this year! Is it just me or has this year just flown by, I feel like I've hardly had time to scratch myself!

Anyway, I had some time spare on Monday, it's usually a day that I work but the rosters got changed around for the Christmas trading, so it kind of felt like I'd been given a day off that I didn't want to waste, so I set to baking. I made these yummy cranberry almond shortbreads that I haven't made for a couple of years but is always a hit. Recipe here. And I also made a little White Christmas that I had wanted to make last year but for the life of me couldn't find plain old Turkish Delight! As soon as I spotted it this year I bought several packets, and what do you know, I haven't seen it since! Weird! Though for this you don't really need a recipe, here is one from Donna Hay.

So that's probably all I'll mange to bake this year. I have wanted for several years now to make a gingerbread house and haven't had much success the last two years I had a go, so this year I bought myself a gingerbread house kit. Hopefully it will be fool proof, I'll let you know how I go!

Advent blog-a-long #19

2011-12-19T11:09:00.002+10:00

I grabbed myself this little Christmas gift the other day when out buying presents for others.

At this price, I couldn't resist! I see some very sweet me-made clothes happening in the new year!

Advent blog-a-long #18

2011-12-18T07:55:00.001+10:00

I saw these and could not resist! Every time I see them they remind me of you Car!

Advent blog-a-long #17

2011-12-17T19:29:00.005+10:00

A bit late blogging tonight as I had put myself on a self imposed internet ban today so I could try and finish up a few Christmas gifts I'm making. Can't show them yet though, I think the recipients may read my blog over their mothers shoulder, can't have them spying them now can we!

What I do want to share is the awesome handmade wreaths I've been spotting around blogland lately, and I didn't even have to go searching, they're all from blogs I follow!

The first one is the gorgeous bauble wreath that I do plan on making, when I can get around to it! Found here.

And the ever fabulous Vic came up with this wreath after starting to make another she'd spotted, then changed her mind and made this instead! Found here.

Then this one over at sister outlaws. I love this one sooo much! And so fun!

I do still love the wreath I made last year, but one can never really have too many wreaths now can they? Surely I could make all of these and just rotate every year? Maybe I just need some more doors.....

Advent blog-a-long #15

2011-12-15T17:24:00.004+10:00

Can you believe that Jennie made this just for me? I really have no words. This was the most beautiful and unexpected gift I think I have ever received. Thank you does not even begin to cover it Jen. I love her to bits. And I think her name is Mathilda, what do you think?

I think Bazza is pretty impressed too.

Go and check out Jennie's pics here. They are much cuter than mine!

Advent blog-a-long #13

2011-12-13T16:13:00.002+10:00

Well today I think I have finally finished up all my Christmas decorating. The finishing touches being the trees, reindeers and baubles in vintage comports on top of my cupboard. I do normally like to keep all my Christmas stuff grouped together but this year I had decided to spread things out, until Monty reminded me that he is indeed a naughty little kitten. Sigh. So things are up high and out of his reach. Remind me again when kittens grow out of these things?!

Advent blog-a-long #12

2011-12-12T16:20:00.002+10:00

Back on day two of the Advent blog-a-long I mentioned how I wanted to go for a bit of a French themed Christmas (with a little vintage twist, as I'm partial to doing!) in terms of gift wrap and tags. That kind of all went out the window once I spotted this awesome Christmas paper at Spotlight, and only $2 a roll too, another Spotlight Christmas Miracle!

So I had a bit of a trawl around the internet looking for Frenchy type printable gift tags that I though might match my super cute paper, and I think I have done fairly well! I found this free printable here, isn't it sweet?!

And wrapping paper and gift tags are sorted! Phew!

Advent blog-a-long #11

2011-12-11T17:46:00.004+10:00

Oops again! I missed two days this time!

So I went to my work Christmas do last night, wearing the apple. I loved the idea of a pavlova-like creation, but I'm usually a fairly subdued sort of personality and I didn't think I could quite pull something like that off. This however, I rocked. It's amazing what some pva and 5 minutes can produce! I don't really have any good photos of me wearing it last night, you'll just have to take my word for it!

modeled here reluctantly by Miss 14. oh, and it actually does look a lot better in real life!

Advent blog-a-long #8

2011-12-08T15:47:00.004+10:00

Oops, sorry Car! I missed a day!

Anyway, moving on. Today Mum and I went for a little coffee and antiquing date this morning (forgot to take photos! next time...), then somehow wound up at Spotlight. I was looking for different bits and pieces to finish up a couple of projects when we noticed that all Christmas was 50% off! Both Mum and I are a sucker for Christmas, and for a bargain, so we had a little rummage around.

And seriously, look what I found! A box of baubles with The Twelve Days of Christmas on them!

And look at the French Hens! Swoon! And for just over $1 a bauble, it was a Christmas Miracle!

The End.

Advent blog-a-long #6

2011-12-06T12:13:00.003+10:00

Ok crafty bloggers, I need your help with this one. We have these gorgeous wreaths at work that have these little polystyrene apples and berries on them. They are just beautiful. When I was at work yesterday I was tidying up and found one of the little apples had fallen off a wreath (or possibly some garland, not sure) and my boss said to just throw it in the bin. What! It's too cute, I had to keep it. My boss thought I was nuts, why would I want it. I immediately stuck it on my head and she cracked up. Now, here is where I need some help. Our work Christmas do is on Saturday night and I want to fashion this little apple into a head piece of some sort to either prove how awesome I am, or how much of a dick I really am. Either way is fine with me.

So, hit me, what do I do with this apple? Add some feathers maybe?? I really am serious, please help!

Advent blog-a-long #5

2011-12-05T08:45:00.003+10:00

Well, these guys are it. The last of the custom orders for 2011. Hopefully their recipients are happy with them come Christmas morning! The thing I love about making these guys is the therapeutic nature of stuffing them gets me in the zone so much that I drift off a bit and stare at my chenille ~~hoard~~ collection and start thinking up new colour combinations for bunnies and quilts as well. With putting together three at once there was plenty of time for chenille contemplation! I have a feeling over the Christmas break there may be some bunnies breeding like, well, like bunnies I guess!

Advent blog-a-long #4

2011-12-04T17:38:00.003+10:00

Blogging a little later again today, I've been at work all day! Argh!

Thought I'd join in with Flea Market Finds for today's post. I picked up a few bags of vintage Christmas decorations for 50c each during the week to add to a few I picked up last year. I have visions of making one of those beautiful vintage bauble wreaths. I would absolutely love one made from old glass baubles, but have never been able to find them in opppies here, I think it must be more of an American thing. So satin baubles will have to do. Satin baubles are more from my era anyway, I'm vintage 70's myself! Here's hoping I have enough in my collection , and I get enough time to make one this year!

Join in with the Advent blog-a-long here.

Advent blog-a-long #3

2011-12-03T19:33:00.003+10:00

Bit late tonight in blogging as I wanted to show off our Christmas lights! I'm not one for lots of flashy stuff, very low key here, but it still makes me smile!

The tree is also all up, though looking quite sparse. I forgot what it's like to have a kitten in the house at Christmas time! In the first hour we already had a bauble casualty, so all the really precious (or really breakable) ones have come off.

Joining in with Vic too for my place and yours.

excuse the slightly dodgy photos, there were taken with my phone.

Advent blog-a-long #2

2011-12-02T09:37:00.006+10:00

And I thought for day 2, as it's Friday, why not go for a little Friday French Favourites!

I've been thinking about wrapping, cards and gift tags for Christmas and thought this year I might like to go a little French inspired. I'm sure if I looked hard enough there might be some free printables out there on the internet, but for now my searching has been limited to etsy.

First up, why not print out your own cards and match the tags and paper with some vintage sheet music. I could see this matched nicely with simple brown paper, something Mr Vintage just won't let me do, he loves to stifle my creativity!

found here.

There is also these very pretty gift tags in blue. Nice to add a different colour to your Christmas rather than the traditional red and green.

found here.

And for a little more traditional tags, these very pretty ones that could even be used for Valentines as well.

found here.

Here's another printable that you could use on your Christmas table. Fill the cones with little favours for each place setting, very nice. Or you could even use them for an Advent calendar.

found here.

And finally this set of 4 Christmas cards. Those French hens just kill me!

found here.

I'll be doing a bit more searching I think. I really like the idea of a Frenchy themed Christmas, hopefully I don't run out of time! Sometimes the best ideas hit me with only a couple of days left until Christmas and not enough time to do it in!

Come and sign up here for the Advent blog-a-long!

Advent blog-a-long #1

2011-12-01T13:22:00.002+10:00

Do you have the tradition of putting up your Christmas tree and decorations on the 1st of December? In this house we have always done it, and with just the 3 of us in the house it makes for some nice family bonding time together. Over the years we have collected some weird and wonderful decorations that some (thankfully!) have not stood the test of time and have had to be thrown out. But somehow this hideous Yowie Santa just keeps on finding his way into the mix. Actually it's kind of the family "in" joke. Miss 14 found him in a Yowie candy (are they still around?) when she was only about 3 and the Mr insisted he had to be put on the tree. Over the years he has got higher and higher on the tree until last year he made it all the way to the top. A very big part of me would love to have the perfectly colour co-ordinated and styled tree, but then that would mean Yowie Santa would have to go. And we can't have that now can we.

And with that, the official countdown has begun!

Come and join in here with the Advent blog-a-long!

Eeep, Christmas is almost here!

2011-11-29T08:37:00.004+10:00

I'd been saying to customers at work this last week about how organised everyone seemed this year in getting ready for Christmas and how early they were all buying their presents. I was getting some weird looks and wasn't quite sure why. Then yesterday I thought I would count down the sleeps until Christmas to see if I could bolster my sales for the day. In counting down it hit me. Holy crap! Now I know why I was getting weird looks, there is now only 26 sleeps people! It's time for me to get moving!

The lovely Car from carrose-creations is once again hosting the Advent-blog-a-long and I for one am in! I know this is a really busy time of year, and maybe blogging the countdown everyday until Christmas seems like a daunting task (though if you miss a day or two no one is going to blame you!) but it's also nice to take that little bit of time everyday to sit down, document your Christmas makings, maybe share a Christmas recipe or two, share some of the crafty presents you've found from other bloggers or crafty websites, or just have a little vent if you like! It's all in good fun! Do you think maybe we could make this as big as blogtoberfest? Let's give it a try! Pop over to Car's blog and let her know you're in, she'd love to have you!

See you back here on the 1st!

To do on Sunday....

2011-11-26T17:25:00.005+10:00

If you're looking for something to do tomorrow (Sunday the 27th Nov) in the Ipswich/Brisbane area, why not head out to Wolston House at Wacol for their annual Christmas fair. There will be a couple of art/craft stalls, trash and treasure (which, incidentally, is where I found this treasure a few years ago), food and entertainment.

It starts at 11am and is open until 4pm. Entry is adults at childrens prices, $4. Tour the grounds and house, stay for a devonshire tea and come and say hi to me and my Mum!

The new love of my life.....

2011-11-25T08:53:00.003+10:00

But I think I should be careful....

I think he may be a bit of a player.

(get your own one-of-a-kind doll here)

my creative space...

2011-11-24T14:42:00.003+10:00

Some of the biggest reasons I love this crafty blogging community is for the friendships, the inspiration and the generosity. There is one of these bloggers who fills all of those categories (and many more), Ms CurlyPops. I was on the twitter, admiring her gorgeous range of Go Granny cushions (the grey one in particular) when next thing, in my letterbox was a Go Granny cushion panel, in grey, for me to make my very own! As a "get well soon" present! I truly love that woman!

I thought with such a beautiful panel it really deserved a well made backing, so once again I cheated a little. I bought one of the clearance cushions from work with a lovely black cotton drill backing and well placed zip, unpicked the back from the front and put it all back together again, et voila, my very own Go Granny cushion! And it only took me about 15 minutes and no swearing about zip installation!

Exciting times!

2011-11-22T11:24:00.003+10:00

Well, it is all getting very exciting now! Betty's Place is set to open this week and Betty and a few little quilts are currently winging their way to join the party! Be nice to me Melbourne, I've put some of my most favourite chenille in these little baby quilts, some I may never get again!

Betty...

2011-11-18T08:23:00.003+10:00

Meet Betty! You've no idea how good it felt to get back in the bunny making saddle again, it has been a while! It's also been a while since I have sold my wares in a retail space, but that's where Betty is headed, to Betty's Place.

Betty's Place is a fabulous new shop opening up in Melbourne next week, and I will be selling a few things there. I'll be madly finishing up little quilts on the weekend to send down to make sure they're all there for the launch party next Thursday. Hopefully I haven't left it too late, Australia Post have been a little crazy with their posting lately! If I post express Monday, surely it will get there by Thursday?!

Ummm...

2011-11-10T16:09:00.002+10:00

Well, it seems I may have gone and done something I swore black and blue I would never, ever do. Yep. I joined facebook. Still trying to figure out how to actually work the jolly thing, but I am over there, here to be exact, and looking for "likers". Don't keep me waiting too long. I may just cry.

Finally it's finished!

2011-11-06T16:16:00.004+10:00

Wow! I can not believe how long it has taken me to finish this custom order! One thing I have learned from putting this huge thing together is that I am just not capable of making something this big anymore.

This is the biggest quilt I have made (a super king size) and it was just so exhausting! Anyway, it's done now and I'm very happy with how it turned out, hopefully the client is even happier!

This is for you CurlyPops

2011-11-02T08:29:00.003+10:00

I have a little challenge for you all. I haven't really been that well lately. Lots of just "sucking it up" going on around here. Usually one of the first things to go when I'm not well is my appetite. Which means I have steadily been losing weight and have about 3 kilos to put back on. I know another certain someone has been struggling with the appetite and weight issue also and really needs to keep up her strength right now, even more than I do.

So here is my challenge. I want you all to blog your most wickedly decadent recipes so we can all get nice and fat together! There may in fact be some prizes in it for you too! This might be a good time to dust out those Christmassy type recipes too, kill two birds with one stone.

So what do you say? Help us get fat won't you?

Oh, and I baked these milo and choc chip muffins just for you CurlyPops. Hope you like them!

Blogtober the 31st - The End

2011-10-31T08:30:00.001+10:00

Yay! We made it! And I didn't miss a day! Though I am sure some of you tuned out quite some time ago. Don't worry, I understand, I have blathered on a bit now haven't I?
I thought for the last day of Blogtoberfest I would hold an impromptu giveaway. Every comment made throughout the month was put into the draw and the random number generator thingy helped me pick a winner. And according to my calculations the winner was.... Fiona from BubzRugs.

And the prize? Well I thought that now October is over we are on the homeward stretch to Christmas, and at work we have just put out all the gorgeous decorations for sale this year, a few little pretty decorations would make for a nice giveaway. Hope you like them Fiona! (They really do look better in real life! The weather here today is atrocious for trying to take photos!)

Thank you everyone for keeping the morale up around here for the month, I have really needed it! Especially the last week or so, life has been crazy that's for sure!

Flea Market finds

2011-10-30T14:26:00.003+10:00

I hadn't planned on blogging twice today, but I just had to share my latest flea market find this week, it just couldn't wait!

A couple of weeks ago I went to one of my local oppies and spotted this fabulous cookie jar. I fell in love, but not in love with the price tag. I took a photo of it on my phone, and left it there. I thought often about it, but resisted the urge to go back and get it, I thought $15 was just a little too much to pay. I vowed however, that if the next time I went there (for legitimate reasons!) it was still there, it would come home with me. Well, yesterday I needed to get a jacket to destroy to wear to the party last night, and off I went. Obviously, it was still there, just waiting for me, so I could not in all good conscientiousness leave it behind now could I?

Blogtober the 30th

2011-10-30T12:22:00.003+10:00

Braaainssssssssss............

Blogtober the 29th

2011-10-29T16:59:00.004+10:00

That 80's party I mentioned a couple of weeks ago is on tonight. And it turns out it's not only an 80's party, it's an 80's "Thriller" party. I'm not really sure what that means, should make for an interesting night though!

So I've made my scrunchie to match my outfit (sort of), not the best scrunchie I've ever made, but good for one made in 5 minutes! Did I ever tell you that scrunchies were the first thing I ever made for sale.....when I was 12! Anyway, I'll see you all tomorrow with pictures from tonight!

Blogtober the 28th

2011-10-28T08:33:00.002+10:00

Monty on his leash. Hmmm, doesn't he look happy.

Oh yes, really struggling for blogtoberfest fodder now!

Blogtober the 27th

2011-10-27T07:58:00.003+10:00

Really struggling now as we head into the home stretch of Blogtoberfest! Today I am totally stumped, so I'm just going to share my new friends success in making it into the local paper after only being in this state for about 2 months! How awesome does Jennie look with her dolls! Congratulations Jennie, I wish you all the continued success in the world!

Blogtober the 26th

2011-10-26T08:45:00.002+10:00

And just like that we have a vegie garden. Funny how it took us leaving acreage and returning to suburbia to make us get in the vegie growing spirit. I think this spot, right near the back door and my clothesline is perfect. I won't be able to forget it's there when I wash nearly every day! Hopefully we'll be harvesting in no time!

Blogtober the 25th

2011-10-25T15:23:00.002+10:00

Nothing else to see here today, move along, move along.

Blogtober the 24th

2011-10-24T09:05:00.000+10:00

I was in the mood for a little chocolatey something yesterday afternoon so I rummaged around my pantry and came up with a little French inspired chocolate tart.

Basically following this recipe, but adding in some icing sugar to the chocolate mix and obviously reducing the mix by about a third and cheating with pre-made little tart shells. Let me say, delicious!

Vive la France!

Blogtober the 23rd

2011-10-23T12:56:00.003+10:00

Yesterday me and Miss 14 headed off for a day out in Ipswich. The Ipswich Environment Festival was on and as a part of that they were holding a suitcase rummage. It would have been so much better if they had of had more advertising I think, but then I wouldn't have got to hang out as much with Jennie, she would have been run off her feet! Pure selfishness on my part, obviously!

Miss 14 dragged me around the park, she's been there many times with my Mum, but I had never been. We checked out the nature reserve, Japanese gardens and had some yummy chips and lemonade spiders for lunch. All in all a great day!

dodgy pictures taken on my phone.

Blogtober the 22nd

2011-10-22T17:17:00.004+10:00

I'm sure many of you heard about the events yesterday that had the whole blogosphere in a flap and had me all a twitter (literally), so after an action packed morning I could not concentrate on one single thing, and my plans on working all day on that custom order just went out the window.

I was still in a bit of a crafty mood though so I sent aside about 1/2 an hour and whipped up a little cushion.

I really cheated on this one. I had bought a cushion from the outlet store I sometimes work at (can't afford to work there too much, half the stock ends up coming home with me!) for a tiny $4.45 just for the little insert but decided to just unpick the cushion cover and use the already put together back (zip included, yay!) and just whip up the front using a bit of the tablecloth I bought the other day.

It actually took me longer to unpick the old cushion cover than it did to put the new one together, but I love the result!

Monty likes it too!

Psssst!

2011-10-21T15:47:00.002+10:00

Did you know that there is going to be a suitcase rummage in Ipswich tomorrow??

Did you also know that Jennie is going to be there? With her gorgeous dolls and koalas and other bits and pieces! Pop along along and say hi, make her feel welcome to our great state!

Blogtober the 21st

2011-10-21T08:51:00.002+10:00

Friday French Favourites.

Obviously starting to struggle in the old Blogtoberfest daily posting, so thought I would pop in with a Friday French Favourite. Today's is a little village we visited while in France called Perouges.

Perouges is a medieval village that has been preserved and restored and is now a popular tourist attraction. Many French period films have been filmed here using the gorgeous cobbled streets and medieval homes as their backdrop.

We had a great day here wandering around, eating galettes and drinking apple cider. It was one of only two optional extras we decided to take on the cruise. Well worth the visit.

Blogtober the 20th

2011-10-20T16:52:00.003+10:00

I love it when you put the call out to the op shop Gods and they respond. Only just this morning before heading out to a few oppies I put that call out, asking for something Scandinavian of some kind tablecloth or tea towel in colours of blue red and white, to match a piece of vintage braid I've had for ages. I was thinking of a cushion or something small and sweet. I couldn't believe my luck when I saw this little suppercloth. Absolutely everything I was looking for. Thank you op shop Gods!

Blogtober the 19th

2011-10-19T08:14:00.003+10:00

Still nothing much blogworthy happening around here. Using my "going to work" excuse today again.

I have just listed two lonely bears who have been trying to find a good home for a while now, if you're interested at all. Check them out with the stockings here.

Blogtober the 18th

2011-10-18T10:51:00.002+10:00

Tuesday's Treasures.

Last year I blogged in Tuesday's Treasures about my comport collection and thought today I would post about my most recent acquisition given to me by my Mum. I love this one with it's beautiful detailing and edging. Just gorgeous, thanks Mum!

Blogtober the 17th

2011-10-17T08:56:00.004+10:00

Well clearly I have failed in the little challenge I set. I really should stop making such bold sweeping gestures now shouldn't I? Also feeling like I'm failing a little at blogtoberfest, not much to see here!

Over the weekend though I did manage to get all the chenille Christmas Stockings I have left listed on ebay. That has to count as something blog worthy right?

Get your stockings here.

Blogtober the 16th

2011-10-16T13:36:00.004+10:00

Joining in today with the Blogtoberfest host herself for a selfie Sunday post.

A work friend of mine is having an 80's theme party in a couple of weeks and today while mucking about with my hair for the party, a la 80's, I thought it would make a great shot for today's post. Side ponytail, teased up fringe. Ahhh, the 80's.

And because most photos of me from that decade (and in fact this decade) looked like this one, I thought I would include it too.

I'd love to see your self portrait too!

Blogtober the 15th

2011-10-15T08:31:00.001+10:00

Blogtober the 14th

2011-10-14T08:54:00.003+10:00

When revealing my secret op shop locations to Jennie yesterday, it got me thinking about one of my all time favourite (and best bargain) buys from one of my favourite little op shops. It's one those op shops that is like a little cavern of treasures waiting to be discovered around every twist and turn. Full to the brim, but very organised, and very friendly staff. And the prices! Oh the prices! On one trip there I picked up this set of six Staffordshire Potteries coffee cups and saucers for only $6. Can you believe it! That aqua and purple together is just divine. Do you have an all time favourite op shop you could spend days wandering in?

Blogtober the 13th

2011-10-13T16:45:00.003+10:00

I had every intention of spending this afternoon making pancakes and getting my craft on, but a distraction of the nicest kind interrupted those plans. Don't worry Jennie, it was well worth the sacrifice! Thank you for today, you are awesome!

Blogtober the 12th

2011-10-12T08:44:00.002+10:00

Yeh, yeh. I know. You're all sick of the pancakes already. But I do have a challenge to uphold you know. But I promise this will be the last blatantly obvious pancake reference. From now on I'm going to try to go a little Seinfeld-esque in my pancake photos and references. Hopefully I can pull that off!

Anyway, pancakes. I was asked yesterday for the recipe I have been using, so I thought I'd post it. Found here.

Little Dutch Pancakes.

2 cups of self raising flour
2 tablespoons castor sugar
pinch of salt
1 cup of milk
1/2 cup of water
3 eggs
maple syrup and icing sugar to serve

Combine flour sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add milk and water and mix with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs and mix until combined and smooth. Heat pan and lightly grease indentations. Add mixture until holes are full, cook for a few minutes (until bubbles appear on surface) then turn over. Continue to cook for a further minute or so, they will puff up slightly when cooked. Remove from pan and sprinkle with icing sugar and drizzle with maple syrup. This batch makes almost 80 little pancakes in my maker. I've also been putting the mixture into a squeezy bottle for easier distribution in the pan. Also great for keeping the left over mixture in the fridge for next time!

Blogtober the 11th

2011-10-11T16:42:00.002+10:00

Nothing else to see here. Move along.

Blogtober the 10th.....continued

2011-10-10T17:01:00.005+10:00

This one's for Car. Challenge accepted.

Blogtober the 10th

2011-10-10T08:45:00.003+10:00

For quite some time now I have been feeling decidedly un-creative. My love and passion for vintage chenille just didn't feel the same anymore. When we moved house 3 months ago and I had to pack all that chenille up, it felt as though it was weighing me down, I felt burdened by it. Something you are passionate about should never feel like a burden. I thought that if I sold off a fair chunk of it that it wouldn't all feel so oppressing. But that didn't really work either. I even briefly toyed with the idea of selling the lot. I have a custom order sitting here for quilt, pillowcases and euro pillowcases and I have known about it since before the move. Yes, over 3 months ago (let me tell you, this is the most patient client ever). I have made excuse after excuse to procrastinate on this thing as I just wasn't feeling the love anymore. When all my excuses had been used up, I knew I had to get started.

So, I started slowly. I thought I'd put together the pillowcases first and just chug along from there, all the time thinking, this is it, this will be the last chenille quilt I ever make. I finished the first euro pillowcase and sat back and looked at it. And the love came back. Just like that. How could I ever even think it had left! So I'll finish this order off, and it won't be my last. There may not be one for awhile, but at least I know, my chenille love is still there, it was just hibernating.

I didn't make that smaller cushion, it is pretty though isn't it?

Blogtober the 9th

2011-10-09T16:33:00.002+10:00

#Sunday Snippets.

Blogtober the 8th

2011-10-08T13:33:00.003+10:00

I have just spent a couple of hours (hours that I don't really have spare at the moment but meh...) looking through some of the other blogs participating in Blogtoberfest and thought I might share a few new to me blogs I've come across that I've found enjoyable.

Red Parka Diaries. Very cute little blog. According to her profile, Jen is an "illustrator, coffee addict, entrepreneur, globetrotter, occasional headcase and lover of all things colourful and creative!".

Life at Rosemary Hill. Kris is "a mother of eight and grandmother of three who loves to make and create. Rosemary Hill is the name of our home where we live, work, learn and create together".

Bowerbird Blue. Kirsty is "a chronic collector with a strong nanna impulse to save for a rainy day. I go silly gathering for the garden. Always room for a tip treasure or hard rubbish delight."

Gingham Cherry. Catherine say's "I am an Australian expat living in the USA with my family. I like to make stuff. Not just one thing but anything. I like to sew, I like to craft, I like to make furniture, I like to bake, I like to do needlework, I like to paint, yep, anything really..."

Why don't you pop by and say hi!

Blogtober the 7th

2011-10-07T09:10:00.003+10:00

Gee this working business really eats into your blogging time doesn't it? So a very (very) quick post today for blogtoberfest.....

Friday French Favourites.

Favourite french word. D'accord. Ok? Ok.

Blogtober the 6th

2011-10-06T15:36:00.004+10:00

I am so glad that I hadn't signed myself up for the "Buy nothing new in October" thing. Otherwise I would have failed by day 4!

While killing some time before an appointment the other day I had a bit of a wander through Kmart, not intending to buy anything......until I saw this little Dutch pancake maker for only $12. Seriously, who was I to resist!

So now everyday since I have been stuffing myself silly with tiny pancake goodness. Mmmmm.

Blogtober the 5th

2011-10-05T09:00:00.003+10:00

Well, I hope that I left you all salivating yesterday, waiting with bated breath for my homemade baked beans recipe. So here it is.

Selina's Baked Beans.

ingredients:
1 ham hock (or ham bone, sometimes this can be cheaper, or you can use your leftover one after Christmas)
water
3 tins of beans (butter beans, cannellini beans etc)
1 tin of crushed tomatoes
2 cloves of garlic
1 onion
dijon mustard, a good tablespoon
maple syrup, a big slurp
worcestershire sauce, 2 big splashes

note: Initially I used to make this using dried beans, and soaking them overnight, but I have found using the tinned ones to be quicker and actually much tastier. The dried beans are definitely cheaper though, I would recommend if you use dried beans you boil them after the overnight soaking.

Take your hock, pop it in a pot and cover it with water. Boil your hock for about an hour (if you were using dried beans, pop them in too). Take out your hock and reserve the liquid. Let your hock cool slightly before removing and discarding the skin and fat, cut off the meat and chop well. Fry off your chopped onion and garlic and add about a cup of the hock water to boil off the bits at the bottom of the pot. Then add this, your hock meat and all the other ingredients into your slow cooker. Cook on medium for around 4 or 5 hours. If after 4 hours it's looking a little watery you can remove the lid and increase the temp to high, that should get it thickened up. Salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

Please let me know if you make this recipe, I would love to hear what you think.

Blogtober the 4th

2011-10-04T17:08:00.003+10:00

Since buying my slow cooker about a year ago I have hunted down some pretty fab recipes, and adapted them to my tastes and what I had on hand that day! One of my go to Sunday night slow cooker dinners is homemade baked beans. Mmmm mmm. Sunday nights batch was (in my opinion) the best I have ever made.

Tastes great on toast the next morning too! Stay tuned for the recipe.....

Blogtober the 3rd

2011-10-03T09:00:00.001+10:00

Let's play "spot the kitty" shall we.

Can you see him?

Looking closer.

Ahhh, there he is!

Blogtober the 2nd

2011-10-02T16:55:00.000+10:00

#Sunday Snippets.

Let the festivities begin!

2011-10-01T08:56:00.003+10:00

I've really become quite slack on the blogging front lately haven't I? I don't want this to become a chore that I have to tick off my list each day, but I do really enjoy blogging and catching up with all the wonderful people I have "met" through blogging, so Blogtoberfest is really the perfect opportunity to get back that blogging rhythm and "meet" even more wonderful people in the process.

Day 1 I like to write down the things I hope to get through and blog about for the month, and try to have some sort of record that I can look to to get me through, so here goes.

finally write up that tutorial for the peg apron
finish up some chenille bunnies and show them off. It has been quite awhile
finish up my custom order quilt and pillowcases
make the new cushions for my bed
work on a few painted furniture projects I have been putting off for far too long
keep up with the "Friday French Favourites"
consider signing up to the "Buy nothing new for October"

Maybe this list is a little long and too ambitious, only time will tell. If you don't know what all this Blogtoberfest is about, head over here to find out. Why not sign up while you're there, the more the merrier!

And so, with that, let the festivities begin!

Blogtoberfest 2011!

2011-09-30T13:32:00.002+10:00

Yay! It's time for Blogtoberfest! I'm in, are you?!

See you all tomorrow!

Getting in the way...

2011-09-18T17:29:00.002+10:00

99 ten inch squares all cut and ready to go!

Now only if the cat would leave those squares alone long enough for me to actually sew them up...

my creative space...

2011-09-15T12:23:00.002+10:00

Yeh, I know. This custom order should have actually been finished by now. Lucky for me this particular client has commissioned many things from me before and knows ~~how slack I can be~~ how long I can take with these things!

I have to say though, cutting 99 ten inch squares, 48 five and a quarter inch squares and 50 five and a half inch squares is really starting to do my head in! And I think I need a new rotary cutter blade....

Other creative spaces here.

Friday French Favourites

2011-09-09T10:07:00.002+10:00

A whole week between posts again! Oh well, c'est la vie!

Friday French Favourites for this week is the Paris Flea Market. What a place! Let me tell you, it did not disappoint in the slightest. In fact the only problem I had with it was that we didn't have enough time to see it all, and we stayed about 5 or 6 hours! I had been told that it was a in a bit of a dodgy part of town so I got panicky and didn't take my DSLR which I was later kicking myself for. On the outskirts of the flea market they have stalls of knock-offs etc that probably had a bit of a dodgy element about it, but the actual vintage and antiques sections were not like that in the slightest. So the only photos I have are the ones I took with Mums point and shoot.

I didn't buy much there either, the prices, oh the prices! I think they spot the tourist a mile away and then add extra zeros or something! Anyway, we did come away with a few little pieces that will always remind us of that most fabulous of places, The Paris Flea Market.

Friday French Favourites

2011-09-02T08:14:00.001+10:00

Oops, I forgot about Friday French Favourites last week! Mon dieu!

This week I wanted to show you one of the many markets that are held in France, most days of the week. We stopped off at a town called Tournon and were shown through their market by a local guide (what was her name Mum? She was just lovely).

Half way through the market her Grandmother met up with us and took some of our group off with her, she didn't speak a word of English!

Seeing the real side of French life was my most favourite part of visiting France, parts that I actually really, really miss. I guess that just means I have to save my pennies to go again and make sure this time I stay much, much longer!

On a roll!

2011-08-30T15:23:00.003+10:00

Wow, two completed projects in two days, I'm on fire baby! Although, my husband calls it procrastinating from the task of making my custom order king size chenille quilt, two pillowcases and two european pillowcases. I call it "prep". Just needed to check the size of squares would work for the euro. Me, a procrastinator, I think not.

One of those days....

2011-08-29T15:43:00.003+10:00

This morning I woke up and decided I was going to make this little cushion. I have a huge custom order quilt and pillowcases to make over the next couple of weeks and thought I wanted a nice little project to get me back in the groove. You see, it's been quite a while since I have actually sewn something. I realised today when looking for my safety pins and found them in the tin I took to the handmade expo in November, that it has been that long since I made a quilt. Whoa.

After lots of swearing, calls out to my crafty friends, (thank you sooo much Marg!) broken feed dogs (fixed by my handy Mister!), and countless cups of coffee, my little cushion was born. Phew. Now you can all bask in her glory (just don't look too closely at her dodgy stitching!). I think I now need a lie down!

Quilters, help me!!!

2011-08-29T12:14:00.003+10:00

Last year some time I had a little play with free motion quilting, and it worked perfectly, very first go. I am trying (desperately!) to do it again and it is just not working! I don't remember doing anything particularly special, (darning foot, drop feed dogs, set stitch length to zero) so I am at a loss to know what I am doing wrong now. The thread at the back keeps bunching up like this,

no matter whether I lessen the tension, or tighten it. The machine has just had a service and everything else is running fabulously, obviously I am the one at fault. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, this is doing my head in!!

The sell off continues...

2011-08-21T20:08:00.003+10:00

I almost can't believe I've put this baby up for sale. I did have grand ideas of doing her up and actually making a quilt or two with her, but after years of her gathering dust, I think it's time to part ways. Sigh.

Friday French Favourites

2011-08-19T08:15:00.002+10:00

I'm just going to leave this picture here of the first tarte aux framboises that I had in France (Monte Carlo to be exact), and let it speak for itself.

Friday French Favourites.

Friday French Favourites

2011-08-12T12:02:00.002+10:00

Wow, this seems to be all I can manage to blog over here lately! I did just pick up my sewing machine from her little tune up yesterday, so hopefully that will help get me motivated to actually craft something!

Anyway, Friday French Favourites! Today I want to show you another one of my favourite little spots we visited while in France, the Moulin de Fourges. Before we left for France we had booked a day trip that did Monet's garden in Giverny in the morning and the Palace of Versailles in the afternoon, with lunch included. I'm imagining a little pit stop at some roadhouse type thing and then we pull up to this pretty much in the middle of nowhere.

It was just beautiful. They have taken this old mill and turned it into a restaurant and we all sat down to a gorgeous three course lunch, with the wine positively flowing! It really was a very welcome surprise.

I would highly recommend doing those day trip things when visiting somewhere new, you never know what sort of places they will take you to!

Friday French Favourites

2011-08-05T09:44:00.000+10:00

Friday French Favourites again!

Today is that iconic grand lady herself, la Tour Eiffel! I came across some gorgeous old prints on flickr from 1900 which are just fabulous. Enjoy!

And a final one of Mum and I.

Au revoir!

Cats...

2011-08-01T12:16:00.002+10:00

What is with cats and freshly made beds?!

And in other news, I'm taking part in a little 30 day photo challenge over on my photography blog if you're interested in that sort of thing. Thought it might help get me back in some kind of blogging rhythm. Day 1 is a self portrait, eeek!

To my Miss M....

2011-07-30T14:48:00.002+10:00

Happy 14th Birthday my beautiful baby! To me, whenever you look at me, this is the little face I see, before you were even one. Love you baby!

Friday French Favourites

2011-07-29T08:30:00.001+10:00

Friday French Favourites again! I hope some of you join in today, let me know in the comments if you do.

1. Macaron, 2. _ macaron _, 3. Macarons, 4. macarons, arles, 5. macarons, 6. Macaron Order - Danielle, 7. Macarons Ladurée, 8. Macarons!, 9. McCafe macarons

Today, it's macarons. Mmmm. We had a few in France, though I can't believe we didn't check them out in Laduree, mon dieu! Lately that's all I seem to be thinking about. Might have to have another go at making them next week.

While walking along Rue de Rivoli in Paris, killing time until our night bus tour started, Mum and I popped into a McDonald's McCafe and guess what they sold? Yes, macarons! And you can get them in little six pack takeaway cartons! So cute! I can't believe I forgot to take a photo though, oh well, next time!

Friday French Favourites

2011-07-22T08:21:00.004+10:00

I've been feeling quite over this whole moving, unpacking, cleaning, sorting business of late so thought for a bit of fun I might start a bit of a thing. Friday French Favourites. Where on a Friday (well, der) I'll post my favourite Frenchy things. It could be food, or a place I went to, or would like to go to next time (yeh, I said next time) or anything at all French related. You could join in if you feel so inclined. Let me know in the comments. Maybe there will be enough of us Francophiles around to warrant making it a real thing, with linky list and everything!

Anyway, my first Friday French Favourite has to be my most favourite village I visited while in France, Viviers. When looking back through my photos I've realised I didn't take as many as I thought I did, I really was quite overcome at that time by the fact I really was standing in France!

This village to me just screamed southern France. Its cobbled streets, its village centre, the beautiful Cathedral, the houses, their little doorways, the gorgeous fields on the outer edge of the tiny village, everything I had come to see. It was just beautiful.

Please let me know if you add your own Friday French Favourite to your blog, I'd love to see it!

you can check out my whole Viviers set on flickr here.

Help!

2011-07-19T13:49:00.004+10:00

Before

Hopefully by this time next week you will see a lovely after photo. I've been contemplating for the last week how I want to lay it all out and now I have to get stuck in so I can get crafting! I've also been sorting out chenille for the last 5 hours and have come to the realisation that I just have way too much! So, if you're after a chenille bargain, head over here. It's going cheap!

*trust me, that small amount of chenille in the above photo is nothing.

Yay!!!

2011-07-13T16:09:00.000+10:00

We have internet! Yay! Have a whole house to organise and unpack, be back soon.....

Heading off into the unknown.....

2011-07-06T14:05:00.001+10:00

Ok, slightly crapping myself about this move now. It seems moving into a brand new house has quite a number of draw backs. Having troubles getting utilities connected, and our phone at this house is being cut off tomorrow! Eeek, that means no internets! And it could be weeks before we can get reconnected!! So, if you hear nothing from me for a while, this is why. And please, send some good vibes my way, I don't think I could go more than a week without the internet!

These here are crazy times

2011-06-30T16:08:00.003+10:00

Apologies to all my blog readers, things are about to get even quieter around these parts than they already have been. It seems that looming (and dreaded) move is now almost upon us. We've slowly been packing while looking at a heap of houses, and now we've found the one. Approved today, move in in a week. Eeek! It's a brandspanking new house, all glistening and shining, I'm hoping my sewjo finds me there!

This year has been a bit of a weird one. Full of highs and unexpected turns, and the year is only half done! As a family, we feel good things ahead. Please don't abandon me, I will be back as soon as I can, hopefully with a crafty thing or two as well!

The Hottie Exhibition

2011-06-25T08:19:00.002+10:00

I've just been looking through all the entries in the CurlyPops group pool on flickr for the Hottie Challenge, and wow. How awesome are these entries?! My little hottie is certainly in some great company! Did you know that while the exhibition is on you can actually purchase any of the hotties for $50 and all proceeds go to charity, how fabulous is that? I really wish I could get down there for the exhibition, but if you happen to be in Melbourne between July 1-24, you can pop in and check them all out. Opening night is on the 1st of July from 6pm. If you happen to pop by, say Hi to CurlyPops for me!

The Hottie

2011-06-21T18:18:00.002+10:00

Finally, I have finished my hottie for the challenge! Unfortunately it didn't turn out quite as I had envisaged, it seems my sewing machine wasn't really all that happy with being neglected for many months and decided she did not want to co-operate with me. She ran along at a snails pace, but we got there in the end with Plan B. Looks like it's time for a service.

So here is my hottie. Crazy patched chenille for the front, vintage quilt for the back. And if no one looks at the wonky seams on the inside, all will be well!

I knew I wanted to incorporate this red and pink chenille flower, in honour of our gorgeous host for the hottie challenge, CurlyPops. Hope you like it Cam!

Late to the party

2011-06-15T09:11:00.003+10:00

Once again it seems I'm a little late in jumping on the band wagon of a fad. Vintage caravans. Why didn't someone tell me just how awesomely cute they are? I can't stop thinking about them!
Last week when driving to work there was a little vintage caravan on the side of the road with a great big "for sale" sign on it. I was smitten. For several days I drove past, usually heading to or coming from work, with no real time to stop and take a proper look. Now it's gone. sigh.

How I wish now I had pulled over to take a closer look. I've been trying ever since to get Mr Vintage to entertain the idea of buying a little caravan. He has some very ~~boring~~ valid points about how we own a boat that just sits there and blah blah blah. But it can't stop a girl from dreaming right?

all caravan images found on the net

A year...

2011-06-11T14:44:00.002+10:00

It's been a whole year since I said goodbye to this little guy. I miss him so much. Monty has been trying really hard to fill those paws, but there will never be another Maxi. The cold and miserable weather here has been fueling my melancholy today and making me a little teary. Hope things are warmer and cheerier for you all today.

XX

This week.....

2011-06-06T14:00:00.001+10:00

I'd noticed that Vic had put up her "this week" post and thought with all the things going on in my head, it might be a good idea to try and write down a list, somewhere that seems somewhat accountable, and see if I can knock just a few things on the head.

Today is obviously now a write off, and tomorrow I'm working, so that leaves the rest of the week free. First, I need to get some organisation going on in my craft room. That is #1. In doing that I need to sort out what to list on ebay, and get it listed, no mucking around. Sorting out the craft room into piles of keeping, selling, and chucking, in order to start packing up what I don't need for the next month or so before we move. #2, get started on my hottie. I have my ideas all laid out, so that should be knocked over in a day (maybe two). #3, have some fun! Go somewhere, do something! I think I need this one the most at the moment! And that is it. Pretty achievable right? Maybe I should get my act together and stop reading blogs, that would free up a whole heck of a lot of time! What do you have planned this week?

photo of Monty is totally unrelated to this post, still very cute though!

The juggling act...

2011-06-03T13:08:00.003+10:00

It's been one of those weeks in my household this week. Sometimes I wish things would just run along in the same old rhythm as always, but that wouldn't be life I suppose. I've got way too many things on in my head and all I really want to do is get started on my hottie challenge piece for Cam. Can't let the Queen of craft down now can we! Chasing down people who don't pay on ebay, chasing down houses to rent, chasing down jobs for Mr Vintage hasn't left me with much time to myself this week. I guess there is always next week.

Oh, and by the way, the virtual garage sale is continuing after a few days of nothing added. Starting to get quite ruthless now. I'm hoping between work and other commitments on the weekend I can find some time to clean a bit more out and get it listed. Patterns to list next week too. Check it out here.

Flea Market finds

2011-05-29T10:02:00.002+10:00

I won this gorgeous little chair this week on ebay for $6.15. My top bid was $10, so when I picked it up and saw that it was even better in person than it was in it's pictures I just handed over the $10. I love it so much! Needs some work, and that seat needs recovering, which is exactly the reason I wanted it. I feel a little restoration coming on!

More Flea market finds over at Sophie's.

Brrrrr...

2011-05-28T17:35:00.002+10:00

Even Millie and Monty have been feeling the cold lately! But aren't they sweet all snuggled up together?!

Happy birthday to.....

2011-05-23T16:35:00.003+10:00

ME!!!!!!! Yes, it's my birthday today and I've had a lovely day! Choccies and cheesecake and handmade gifts, oh my! This gorgeous woman took me to lunch at our local haunt and it was great. I took my camera to take a photo of our lunch and completely forgot until lunch was done and the plates were gone! Oh well, that just meant we had to get cake!

I'd spotted a gorgeous steering wheel cover on Teresa's blog, then saw it in the flesh and ohhed and ahhed over it, so what did Teresa do? Made me one of my own! Thank you so much Teresa!

Following that all up with takeaway dinner and an early night and I'm in birthday heaven!

Yeh, I got ruthless

2011-05-17T20:15:00.003+10:00

Told you I was getting ruthless. I've listed Posie for sale on ebay. She is a hard one to part with, but if you're after an heirloom bear from me, this might be the only chance for quite a few months. With a large custom order to do and a house full of stuff to move, I can't see me doing much bear or bunny making for a while.

Check Posie out here. If you're a regular reader and you put in an offer, you never know just how ruthless I might be! Just mention my blog in the offer.

Tuesday Treasures

2011-05-17T12:52:00.002+10:00

So in the continued cleanup and sort out for my virtual garage sale, I came across a few things that were my paternal Grandmothers that I thought I might share. I have very few things that were my Grandmothers as she passed away when I was only 9 and I am pretty much estranged from my father so I haven't had the chance to claim all of the things I know that she wanted me to have. So this is pretty much it. Her little christening mug, a carnival glass punch bowl mug and her little Toby jug. That is her in her wedding dress which my Mum actually has at her house, I'm too worried to have it at mine. I had always dreamed that I would wear it on my wedding day, but unfortunately I am around 5'6 and she was about 5' and extremely tiny, so that didn't quite work out!

My Nanna was quite the crafter and was always into the latest "fad" craft. I like to think that she would be so proud of the things I make and would really get into the softies and stuff, I could even imagine her with a blog!

Head over to Melody's to see all the other Tuesday Treasures.

And it continues....

2011-05-16T12:04:00.002+10:00

I mentioned yesterday that I would be having a bit of a "virtual" garage sale on ebay, and it actually got me excited to get cracking! I have been going through a lot of my stuff and listing like crazy this morning, but believe me, there is a lot more to go! I think I'll be listing stuff every morning for at least a week!

I'm getting a bit ruthless too, nothing like a couple of early sales to get that listing frenzy going! So pop over here if you're interested, you never know what you may get a hold of, when I get like this, anything could get sold!

Flea Market finds

2011-05-15T14:43:00.003+10:00

I'm actually going to have to put myself on a self imposed op shopping ban, as it seems as though we will be moving house in a few months, and I already have enough stuff to move as it is! That's always the worry when you rent, at any time the owner can decide they want to sell and out you go. Oh well. This time we are putting a positive spin on it as this house was starting to annoy us, I just hate to move.

So this weeks flea market finds are some of the things I've been digging up out of the piles of ~~junk~~ stuff stashed away in my craft room. I am going to have a bit of a virtual garage sale on ebay (I have already started here, if you're interested) to make the move a little easier. I mean really, how many vintage tea towels and tablecloths does one need?! When starting off washing the linens today, I couldn't help but notice a bit of a theme in my vintage tea towel buying habits. Notice they're all Australiana? And there is more yet to be washed!

Head over to Sophie's to see who else is playing along today!

Mmmm

2011-05-12T18:07:00.000+10:00

I came across this photo and can't believe I hadn't shared it yet! This is the haul of Frenchy delights I ~~smuggled~~ brought back home with me (well, almost all of it, some may or may not have been consumed before the photo was taken!).

Teddy Bears Picnic

2011-05-12T14:05:00.000+10:00

Bit late to the picnic today, spent too long gossiping with Teresa this morning over coffee! Anyway, I told Teresa I would join today with the bear I entered into last years Ipswich show in the handmade bear section. Considering Posie here was the only bear not made from traditional materials (and there were quite a few bears entered!), I thought 3rd place was very respectable indeed! She is made using a very vintage 1930's flowergarden quilt piece and vintage chenille. I have tried to sell her a couple of times but then always change my mind, she really is lovely.

So here is Posie. Sorry for the terrible photo, it is blowing a gale here today and she was a little worried her little parasol from Paris was going to blow away! Those French biscuits aren't going to last long either, I hear those other bears can be a little hungry sometimes!