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Wishing you all a happy and safe New Year!

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It was a beautiful sunny day today, after weeks of rain, with predictions of more wet weather this coming week. We took advantage of the bright day to venture up the mountains and explore the Botanic Gardens of Mount Tamborine. Such a beautiful place to visit. I always feel so much more relaxed and at home in the mountains.

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I would photograph my cute new shoes too.

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Five photos. Five facts.

1. I like finding, when buying second hand books, birthday or Christmas messages inside the cover. I like to wonder who chose the book and what meaning they ascribed to the gifting of that particular book. I like it when they've written the year too.

2. I worked in a jewellery store in Athens and could see the Acropolis from the step of the building. I had taken to wearing Greek sandles, embroidered skirts and my hair, long and black, hanging down past my shoulders. Tourists and locals alike mistook me for being a local and would speak to me in Greek. I only ever understood a few words. They laughed or looked a little shocked when I confessed my Australian birthplace and my Scottish heritage.

3. I like to collect quotes and record them in the pages in my journals. Especially quotes from distant times. That the words of those who lived so long ago can still speak to us and remain relevant is fascinating.
'The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.' - Rene Descartes

4. During my childhood, my Grandmother's house was endlessly fascinating. She grew strawberries along the fence in the sandy soil. Each room smelt of the sea, which was separated from the house only by the street and the sand. There were walls of black and white photos in ornate frames of ancestors I'd never met. Plush royal red carpet in the formal lounge. And a little sewing room, with curtained covered closets reaching all the way to the ceiling. Full of wonderful looking jars with eclectic contents and big silver scissors hanging from hooks.

5. When I moved out of home to go to Uni, my first flat was across the road from a cemetery. I would cut through it to get to Uni most days. I could walk a hundred different ways through it's maze to get where I was going. It was of course quiet and beautiful. There were carved angels standing atop tombs. Elegant poems on shining marble. Simple white wooden crosses. At night we often saw someone walking through the cemetery with a torch.  

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Regrettably, our dear old camera has resigned from it's image taking responsibilities. The sadness has been tempered by the purchase of an elegant new camera. 

One simply must have a beautiful camera to capture life's little and big moments.

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I must admit, I did indeed curl up with my book after the last post. The chores waited patiently until I'd finished the final pages. I always feel a little sadness, mixed with contentment, as I put down a book I've enjoyed.

We celebrated a rainy Christmas Day, safely tucked under the high roof of our deck and then gathered around the dining table. There were Christmas traditions, toasts made and the kind of food and conversation that seem reserved for Christmas and loved ones.

Santa brought Cohen a children's digital camera. He snapped more photos on the day than myself. Those above are amongst my favorites. The images are noisy and lack focus, the view finder is inaccurate and akin to looking underwater, but still, what fun a camera is to a two year old and how wonderful these photos are to me. The texture, contrast and noise only adding to their child like charm.

We are left feeling so very blessed on this sleepy, rainy day. Breakfast in bed. Playing with new toys. Watching cricket. Also reading The Garden of Eden. Planning a wandering walk, should there be a break in the rain. And hoping you had a wonderful Christmas too.

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And just like that, tomorrow it's Christmas! 

The very lovely and very talented Kylie of 3 Sheets, made Cohen this super t-shirt to wear Christmas Day.

Thank you Kylie!

All the presents are wrapped and waiting on the spare bed. 

Not under the Christmas tree, given the fate of the decorations. 

Cohen scatters those around the house.

I'm sure the wrapping paper wouldn't stand a chance.

Dave and Cohen hid in the bedroom with pens and sticky tape and I wasn't allowed to look.

Sometimes surprises are nice.

I've been reading 'The Sailor From Gibraltar', it's hard to put down.

There are chores to do in preparation of hosting the family breakfast and lunch tomorrow.

But I wouldn't mind curling up with my book right now.

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Thank you again for your well wishes. By tonight I shall be able to hug and kiss my little boy again. I am really hanging out for a big Cohen cuddle. I'm not very good at hands off mothering. I am feeling well, just very tired, which I hope the medication will help with soon. How wonderful and supportive my family have been. I also hope the radioiodine has done it's job and I'm not set to repeat this ordeal in six months time.

Thank you also for the lovely comments on the dress and the other sewing of late. I finished my Christmas sewing yesterday with these 'Cute as a button' purses from Pip's first book. Where would I have been gift wise this year without Pip? She has helped to make it a handmade Christmas indeed. I also managed to make myself a dress. I'll take some photos once it's washed and pressed.

Here's to a lovely Christmas and a wonderful and healthy New Year.

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More sewing from Pip's lovely 'Sew La Tea Do' book. The 'Too Cute Tunic' was a joint project embarked upon yesterday by my sister and myself, as a Christmas day dress for her. Too cute indeed! 

The fabric is a 100% cotton print, grey on black, which we found in my stash. The pattern was simple and straightforward. And I do so love a dress which needs no zips or buttons. We simply added a fabric belt for a bit more shape. I do believe I need to find some more sweet fabric and make such a dress for myself.

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Thank you all for your well wishes yesterday. The nerves beforehand were the worst part, the actual scan and capsule were relatively simple. The one meter rule with Cohen is already breaking my heart. He fell over and burst into tears almost as soon as we walked out of the hospital. It's quite difficult to suppress the mothering urge to pick him up immediately, and instead be required to stand back and wait for someone else to soothe him. I keep having to remind myself, and Cohen, that I'm 'sick'.

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This is the sewing that was occupying my attention Sunday. Christmas gifts for our little friends. Three Pj bags from Pip's sweet new book and some little library/toy bags. I also received this lovely parcel from my friend Melissa. Books, fabric, wool and a the cutest vintage cot sheet. She knows the way to my heart for sure. Thanks Melissa.

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Taking a leaf out of Pip's book...
(and Pepper and Katie's too)

My Perfect Life

I go for radioiodine treatment today and I'm nervous

I will be radioactive and my thyroid function should be 'destroyed'

I can't pick Cohen up for three days

As a precaution, because of the radiation

I cleaned the fridge on Thursday and now it's fully stocked

Dave is cooking the next three nights and looking after me
So is my sister and my Mum
Well, they are looking after Cohen while Dave is at work
Since I can't pick him up, hug him or kiss him
Life has to go on

Another coffee would be nice

I wrapped the Christmas presents while Cohen napped yesterday

I kept myself occupied by sewing gifts

I should stop looking at new wool and get back to my sisters blanket

There are things where they are not meant to be 

But they are nice things

My yard is loving all this rain

We have new neighbors

There are how many sleeps until Christmas?

The beds are made

I've been listening to Josh Pyke and Mumford and Sons

I don't tend to eat breakfast lately, so I am always starving by lunch time

I've been thinking about blogging A Week Of... something

Red nail polish on my toes is my favorite

Or sometimes grey or black

There are flowers on the table

We do not have chickens

We do not have wall paper either

I really like both those things too. Next house?

We do have a big dog and an old cat

We also have walls, which Cohen drew on with crayon yesterday

After dinner the other night I wondered if I couldn't just live off Singapore Noodles forever

I went to the Art Gallery with my sister on Saturday and it was fun
We always have fun together
It's good to be a twin

I want some stripy flats

And they could have a bow on them

My coffee is always cold by the time I get to the bottom

I worry if I don't answer the phone in time just in case it was important

I love making enough food for dinner that I have lunch the next day

Is that lazy?

I have so many jewellery design ideas in my head
I'll be trying to spend my three days of isolation being creative

I can't wait to go away on our holidays

Three days staying on a working dairy farm

My husband surprised me with a Frankie subscription

I only found out when the magazine arrived in the mail

I love my husband and I love Frankie
My sister knew about it and didn't tell me
We're not usually good at surprises

I am watching DVD's my sister lent me when I get the chance

I also love my sister

And that's my list

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I am so impressed by the innovative and interactive offerings of 21st Century: Art in the First Decade, at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane. From Neuenschwander's wall of wish covered ribbons, Wish your Wish; to Hollers spiral shaped slides, dramatically twisting between the third and ground floor, the work is inviting, humorous and evocative. 

My favorite was certainly Celeste Boursier-Mougenot's From here to ear (v.13), consisting of a gallery space hung with ubiquitous wire coat hangers, while finches shared the constructed environment. It was strangely beautiful and calming. Experiencing the installation is really a must. Words fail to adequately describe the encounter.

If you are in Brisbane any time before the 26th April 2011, I urge you to visit. I found it quite easy to loose myself for a few hours, wandering around the gallery space and enjoyed watching Cohen interacting with the art work.

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Making acquaintances with my sister's new abode. An 1870's terraced cottage, full of neglected character, in the heart of the City. There's something romantic and heartbreaking about old houses such as this. The cracked paint. The iron latches. The patterned glass. A forgotten history of people and everyday events silently witnessed by these walls.

It seems such a shame to consider that any former splendor shall never be returned to this old lady, should the landlords wish be granted and the cottage demolished. At the very least, her last six months will be filled with love, laughter and kindness.

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Cohen and I made paper chains to hang around the doors yesterday. A great distraction as the storm hit. When Cohen got a little nervous about the rolling rumbling thunder we sang, 'I hear thunder, I hear thunder, hark don't you?' over and over until he was so engrossed in playing with his toys, he wasn't the least interested in the thunder, or the paper chains. What's a mother to do in such a situation but hope the power stays on, make a cup of coffee and weave in the ends of a newly finished crochet blanket in appropriately stormy colours? Indeed, that's what I did. 

And of course, look lovingly at the Flower Press tea towels that arrived in the mail and wonder how one is to part with them come Christmas...

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Apparently we are in the path of a huge storm this afternoon. The sky has darkened and the weather cooled from the humid heat of the morning. Just a quick post before I turn off the computer. 

Cohen's second introduction to Santa. Although quite happy to stand in line for a photo. And quite happy to wave to Santa and watch the other children photographed. Sitting on Santa's lap was another matter entirely. He was not impressed to say the least.

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This is not the purpose of wrapping paper?

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What a lovely day we've had today. A messy bench means a productive day in these parts. A napping babe and some uninterrupted time getting ones hands dirty are a rather blissful combination I think. I have some new designs in mind once I have finished the orders I'm currently working on. And a delivery of silver smithing supplies tomorrow is eagerly anticipated. Thanks for the great response to the sale thus far.

The house has now returned to some semblance of normality after the party and Cohen and I have been quite busy with wooden puzzles and new birthday toys. He was such a very lucky and spoilt little man in the present department, that is for sure. There has also been quite a lot of 'cooking' in his kitchen and chasing of the remaining balloons about the house. Such simple and wonderful things are balloons. 

Tonight I'm looking forward to a dinner of Cesar salad, a glass of wine and time spent with the dear old crochet hook and a ball of yarn. Hope your evening is just as relaxing.

20% Off...

'Away with the Clouds' Earrings $40. Free postage.

As a little thank you for all your wonderful comments and support through out the year I am having my first ever sale. Every handmade piece of jewellery in my Made it and Big Cartel stores has been reduced by 20% for the next week. Postage is still free of charge. 

So if you've had your eye on a particular pieces as a gift for yourself or for a loved one, now is the time to grab it.

Many thanks again! I don't think I would have had the courage to start selling my designs without the encouragement and support of this lovely online community.

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What a wonderful weekend we have had celebrating Cohen's second birthday! The little man himself has had such a fantastic time, surrounded by loved ones and playing with his new toys to his hearts content. I only wish I'd had the chance to take some more photos! It was such a whirl wind. A busy, fun, laughter filled whirl wind!

Cohen is in love with his toy kitchen and has been baking everything in sight since he unveiled it yesterday morning. The oven mitts have been a hit, though he is still undecided on the apron. The pinata was a success, though I did make it a little too thick, it only made for more fun and laughter in the process of trying to break it open.

I must admit that I really enjoyed making the pinata and the dinosaur cakes and I loved the hand made elements they, along with the party bags and gifts, brought to the party. Cohen can not it seems, escape his mothers crafting.

Our family and friends have been such a delight and their help today made the party for forty odd people run smoothly. We couldn't have done it without them.

Happy birthday my sweet.

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My dearest darling Cohen, 

Happy second birthday my sweet little man. 

That old time flying adage continues to prove true. It was never truer until you came into our lives. Watching you grow and learn has been a whole new way for us to keep track of time. Each passing day marks a mile stone, small or large, something to hold in our memories. The first time you said 'more', the first time you climbed all the way to the top of the slide by yourself, the first time you counted to three. To me, it is the most wonderful calender conceived. 

This past year has brought so much joy to all those who love you. And your Daddy and I feel so very grateful to be a part of that journey every day. Each morning you greet us with your lovely babbling and you serenade me during the day with your 'songs'. You love to dance, head bopping, arms banging or body swaying. Music always makes you smile. You would also happily live in the bath if we let you, you are such a water baby. I cherish your bath times as an uninterrupted chance to connect on even the most stressful of days. While you love to splash and measure, pour and drink, and run your hands through the bubbles in the bath water, always looking to us, to make sure we're watching and a part of it all.

Oh, and the things you get up to sometimes my dear boy! From dragging over your little seat so you could turn on the hot plate, to drawing on the walls with crayon. Jumping on the bed giggling, until you fall off. Trying to sit on the cat and the dog, or use them as your pillow, much to their annoyance. You are full of life and love and curious as a cat yourself, without a shred of fear. And should things not go your way, your not adverse to throwing yourself on the floor for a quiet tantrum, or else throwing whatever it is you don't want. Sometimes it is so amusing that I struggle not to smile.

We are so lucky and so blessed. And while always one to shy from cliches, there are so many apt ones since your arrival. I have never loved so much. I have never felt so protective. And I have never felt as selfless, as being a mother has made me. 

You will always be our baby and we will always love you. My big two year old.

Your loving mother.

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Thrifted linen finds, from my local op-shop this week. I'm quite sure my heart skipped a beat when I laid eyes on this lovely green table cloth.
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Also loving this advent calender by Kirsten Doran designs, found via One Flew Over.

And these paper globes and instructions found at tiny happy.
And the lovely round up of whimsical ornaments over at Design*Sponge.

My Creative Space...

I've been sneaking in a little baby blanket crochet and some good old Hemingway, amongst the Christmas crafting and party organisation. Two more sleeps until our one year old turns two.

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More Creative Spaces here.

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Little discoveries made while walking around the neighborhood. 

Cohen has learnt how to splish splash through puddles in his shiny black gum boots. A bewildered look gave way to pure joy once he realised that we were encouraging him to stomp and jump through each puddle that he found. We followed a well worn path through a clearing of long grass and lost sight of all but Cohen's head when he discovered a very deep puddle indeed. The gum boots were overwhelmed.

I think this tree full of berries is announcing Christmas.

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An old embroidered cushion cover, once belonging to my Grandmother. Found amongst my vintage doilies while I was looking for something else. A happy surprise.
Filled with hobby fill and now the perfect cushion for snuggling into, while reading in bed, on another rainy day.

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More rain and more rain. Afternoon Nana naps. Visiting family.
And wine with loving friends.