* Pieced out here, ready to begin sewing.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Working on...
A new little quilt*! Perfect size for keeping knees warm :)
* Pieced out here, ready to begin sewing.
* Pieced out here, ready to begin sewing.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Right now...
I AM LOVING
Sookie Stackhouse series Book 1 with a cup of Sleepytime Vanilla
Everything this girl does.
Anya Marina | MySpace Music Videos
The Muppets on Women's Rights. Go Candice!
Sleeping with the fan on.
Sookie Stackhouse series Book 1 with a cup of Sleepytime Vanilla
Everything this girl does.
Anya Marina | MySpace Music Videos
The Muppets on Women's Rights. Go Candice!
Sleeping with the fan on.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Market Day!
Yesterday we attended the Odd + Even Maker's Market and it turned out to be a lovely day for all. We were a bit nervous to begin with but once we settled in, we met some really nifty people. It was Chris's second time at the market and my first. We sold a good amount of stock but the best thing about it was watching the reactions of visitors to our stall. I had lots of kids commenting on my stuff (which I loved as kids can be harsh critics!) and pretty much all of my things got fondled and caressed at some point! The Zombie Cupcake stickers did well, as did the Babushkas and fabric bookmarks. As much as I love Etsy, getting out there in the market circuit gives you such a great experience. You get to see how people respond and which items immediately command attention. If you make stuff too, take the plunge and do it!
Me!
Chris!
My stuff. To keep things ordered, I used doll beds that my grandfather made for me as kid.
A Pug!!
Me!
Chris!
My stuff. To keep things ordered, I used doll beds that my grandfather made for me as kid.
A Pug!!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Odd and Even Makers Market 2010
This Saturday, February 13th!! Long Gallery, Salamanca 10am - 3:30pm. Check it out!! See you there :)
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Port Arthur & Isle of the Dead
We have Chris's brother Brandon and his partner Terry here with us at the moment. They are visiting us from Chicago and it's been super fun. Today we went out to Port Arthur, Tasmania's famous convict ruins. There are too many experts out there who know so much more than me about this place so I won't attempt to give you my rudimentary interpretations. You can read about Port Arthur here.
It always strikes me that a place with such a grim history has become a major tourist attraction. It seems strange to see kids tearing about and people drinking champagne on the same spot where there once was great sadness, horrid living conditions and much suffering. At the same time, it is truly fascinating to hear the stories of the convicts and those who held jobs there. One of the best things we did today was take a boat ride to the Isle of the Dead, a tiny island just off the coast where over 1100 people are buried. Convicts (mostly in unmarked graves) and free folk (with headstones) alike.
Chris and I bought a book to take home with us - a complete translation of all the headstones on the island. Once we sailed back to the coast, we all split up and did our own thing. Since Chris and I had seen Port Arthur before, we wanted to revisit the interiors of the buildings. We went into the creepy Asylum and nearly got locked in the Solitary Confinement Cell by a fellow tourist lady who thought we might want "the whole experience". No thanks! I can imagine it just fine!
Then came the room where these particular convicts worshiped. Chris had a bit of cheeky fun on the pulpit. While he was up there the sound of someone reading a stern sermon came on and nearly made us pee our pants. It was fun nonetheless.
Another place we really liked was the Commandant's Cottage. The interiors here were really amazing to look at, particularly in contrast to the prison areas. Very homely and domesticated.
* The lighting was low in most rooms. Click on the photos to make them bigger. The details will be easier to see.
Beautiful wallpaper in the main hall.
Sitting Room.
Sewing machine on the table. Nice.
Little doll in one of the rooms most likely occupied by the Commandant's children.
Preserves in the pantry.
The kitchen. Simple, but how lovely is this room?
The house was built on sloping land and I loved how it was designed as 'stair-step' type levels. As you moved through the house, you continued to travel upwards.
Ornate archway over the driveway entrance to the cottage. It reminded me of Narnia (totally out of context!!).
All in all, we had a super day :D
Here's a picture of us and the kitty for good measure.
@ Bonorong Wildlife Park. Note my cool black and white polka dot bow (complete with skull cameo) from LondonsGate. I LOVE IT.
Kitty cat asleep behind my piles of quilt fabrics. As Lucy Knisley's cat would say, PUZZ ZZ.
It always strikes me that a place with such a grim history has become a major tourist attraction. It seems strange to see kids tearing about and people drinking champagne on the same spot where there once was great sadness, horrid living conditions and much suffering. At the same time, it is truly fascinating to hear the stories of the convicts and those who held jobs there. One of the best things we did today was take a boat ride to the Isle of the Dead, a tiny island just off the coast where over 1100 people are buried. Convicts (mostly in unmarked graves) and free folk (with headstones) alike.
Chris and I bought a book to take home with us - a complete translation of all the headstones on the island. Once we sailed back to the coast, we all split up and did our own thing. Since Chris and I had seen Port Arthur before, we wanted to revisit the interiors of the buildings. We went into the creepy Asylum and nearly got locked in the Solitary Confinement Cell by a fellow tourist lady who thought we might want "the whole experience". No thanks! I can imagine it just fine!
Then came the room where these particular convicts worshiped. Chris had a bit of cheeky fun on the pulpit. While he was up there the sound of someone reading a stern sermon came on and nearly made us pee our pants. It was fun nonetheless.
Another place we really liked was the Commandant's Cottage. The interiors here were really amazing to look at, particularly in contrast to the prison areas. Very homely and domesticated.
* The lighting was low in most rooms. Click on the photos to make them bigger. The details will be easier to see.
Beautiful wallpaper in the main hall.
Sitting Room.
Sewing machine on the table. Nice.
Little doll in one of the rooms most likely occupied by the Commandant's children.
Preserves in the pantry.
The kitchen. Simple, but how lovely is this room?
The house was built on sloping land and I loved how it was designed as 'stair-step' type levels. As you moved through the house, you continued to travel upwards.
Ornate archway over the driveway entrance to the cottage. It reminded me of Narnia (totally out of context!!).
All in all, we had a super day :D
Here's a picture of us and the kitty for good measure.
@ Bonorong Wildlife Park. Note my cool black and white polka dot bow (complete with skull cameo) from LondonsGate. I LOVE IT.
Kitty cat asleep behind my piles of quilt fabrics. As Lucy Knisley's cat would say, PUZZ ZZ.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Cookies and treats
Baking, baking, sewing, sewing. In what little time I've had at home lately, this is what I've been doing!
SNICKERDOODLES!!! IN A KITTEN TIN!!! Lightly crunchy with a coating of ground cinnamon and sugar. Nothing to do with Snickers bars but everything to do with total yumminess.
Green Apple door knob charm. Made for the next Odd & Even Market (in the Long Gallery Feb 13th). Chris and I will both be there, come see us! There will be free musk sticks at our table :)
When I ordered the Vital Organs transfer kit from Sublime Stitching, I knew I had to embroider the ovaries on my knickers. It makes me laugh!
Ovaries!
A bookmark I made for an art/craft exchange. Front.
Back.
SNICKERDOODLES!!! IN A KITTEN TIN!!! Lightly crunchy with a coating of ground cinnamon and sugar. Nothing to do with Snickers bars but everything to do with total yumminess.
Green Apple door knob charm. Made for the next Odd & Even Market (in the Long Gallery Feb 13th). Chris and I will both be there, come see us! There will be free musk sticks at our table :)
When I ordered the Vital Organs transfer kit from Sublime Stitching, I knew I had to embroider the ovaries on my knickers. It makes me laugh!
Ovaries!
A bookmark I made for an art/craft exchange. Front.
Back.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
A Day Well Spent
I recently bought an excellent book by Pip Lincolne (crafty lady extraordinaire) called Meet Me at Mike's. It's named after her shop in Melbourne but it has lots of nifty craft projects that are fun and easy to make. For a long time I've been wanting to make a quilt but often the size of them and the small pieces required to make them is kinda daunting. So, when I saw this Mini Quilt by Alison Brookbanks, I really wanted to give it a try. I used fabrics that I had at home already and I am super proud of the result. I love it and already have plans to experiment with other simple designs and fabrics. It was one of the nicest days off I've had in a long time. No bed making, no dishes to do, just sewing. Soooo good.
Choosing the fabrics. Babushkas, polka dots and gingham - my favourites.
First, cutting the sections for the small quilted middle.
I made a mess but it was a happy mess :)
Placing the smaller pieces.
Sewing together the pieces for the middle section of the quilt.
Pressing the seams flat so they don't create bumps when the quilt is turned right side out.
Turn it out and it's done!
I still need to get some batting for the inside but it can sit here quite nicely for now. Most likely where it will stay as it's the perfect size for an over-the-knees nanna blanket! Can't wait to make another one :)
Choosing the fabrics. Babushkas, polka dots and gingham - my favourites.
First, cutting the sections for the small quilted middle.
I made a mess but it was a happy mess :)
Placing the smaller pieces.
Sewing together the pieces for the middle section of the quilt.
Pressing the seams flat so they don't create bumps when the quilt is turned right side out.
Turn it out and it's done!
I still need to get some batting for the inside but it can sit here quite nicely for now. Most likely where it will stay as it's the perfect size for an over-the-knees nanna blanket! Can't wait to make another one :)
Friday, January 8, 2010
Embroidery Practice
Stitching practice at night consists of these Sublime Stitching designs and fantasy movies (working my way through the extended editions of LOTR at the mo) :D
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Merry!
From the bottom of our hearts we wish all our friends and family (near and far) a lovely Christmas and safe new year. While there have been some fab things going on this year, I have to admit that I'm kinda happy to say goodbye to 2009. 2010 sounds like it will be much happier. Here's to new beginnings and new adventures! I wonder where we will all be this time next year?
Sooooo...since it's Christmas time again, in our house that means making and sharing lots of yummy food! We make fancy drinks (like iced mocha martinis - see below. Yes, that's ice magic on the inside rim), do a roast, have lots of leftovers and can occasionally be seen sneaking swigs of brandy custard straight from the fridge. YUM.
It also means spending time together napping, playing games, going for walks on the beach and generally avoiding all the stress that can sometimes come about at Christmas. We've got some little rituals in place for our kids (when they decide they are ready to join us) like a big dinner on Christmas Eve (which is typically when my family celebrates Christmas. I am of European descent on my mother's side so I grew up doing everything a day early. Santa always came to me first!) along with a Christmas movie (last night was Charlie Brown) and then pancakes and presents on Christmas morning. We spend the rest of the day hanging out and enjoying our presents. It's a really nice time.
We open one present from each other on Christmas Eve and I am so impressed with this gorgeous white squirrel that Chris found for me. It's actually a ring box squirrel. I stupidly lost my beloved wedding ring on Boxing Day last year and have been without one for nearly a year now. So when Chris found this squirrel in Melbourne he decided it was time to get another ring! It's lovely white gold and I am SO happy to have a wedding band again. It just needs some engraving on the inside and it will be all finished! Hurrah! Best present ever.
Merry Christmas from us 3
xox
Sooooo...since it's Christmas time again, in our house that means making and sharing lots of yummy food! We make fancy drinks (like iced mocha martinis - see below. Yes, that's ice magic on the inside rim), do a roast, have lots of leftovers and can occasionally be seen sneaking swigs of brandy custard straight from the fridge. YUM.
It also means spending time together napping, playing games, going for walks on the beach and generally avoiding all the stress that can sometimes come about at Christmas. We've got some little rituals in place for our kids (when they decide they are ready to join us) like a big dinner on Christmas Eve (which is typically when my family celebrates Christmas. I am of European descent on my mother's side so I grew up doing everything a day early. Santa always came to me first!) along with a Christmas movie (last night was Charlie Brown) and then pancakes and presents on Christmas morning. We spend the rest of the day hanging out and enjoying our presents. It's a really nice time.
We open one present from each other on Christmas Eve and I am so impressed with this gorgeous white squirrel that Chris found for me. It's actually a ring box squirrel. I stupidly lost my beloved wedding ring on Boxing Day last year and have been without one for nearly a year now. So when Chris found this squirrel in Melbourne he decided it was time to get another ring! It's lovely white gold and I am SO happy to have a wedding band again. It just needs some engraving on the inside and it will be all finished! Hurrah! Best present ever.
Merry Christmas from us 3
xox
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
