All that jazz...

The storm last night lowered the temperature and the lightening lit up the sky. After weeks of sleep without sheets or blankets, the storm brought the need to briefly pull up the sheet. How I miss my blankets.

The babe did not sleep well, perhaps because of the lightening. The many times I was up to him in the night I did not turn on a light, the flashes of lightening provided all the light I needed.

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Today has been one of those days that goes by slowly and somehow many things get done. The house is clean, the floor moped, the clothes washed, the dishes done...

Some more crochet stitches added to the throw, a chance to read more of 'Wishing on the Moon', a pleasant little nap, baking these delicious cookies and making this granola / muesli.

(Must try to stop eating these... must resist, I have eaten too many already...)

I hope this Friday finds you well and ready for a lovely weekend.

What have you been doing today?

And they're off and racing...

I hope everyone had a happy and safe Australia day. We caught up with friends and made our way to the mud crab races at the bowls club. The crabs were auctioned off, the money going to children with special needs, and the crabs went from $25 to $60 each. There were thrifty crabs in total, if you count the one that seems to have expired before the race, but had been paid for nonetheless. My husband went in on two crabs, the first hardly moved and the other one came second in it's heat.

I have never in my life seen crab racing before, but it was quite amusing.

Five crabs were put in the middle of the ring for each heat and the first one to make it over both circles was the winner. A winner from each heat made it to the final round.

(Sorry about the photos, it was too dark inside without the flash and it was quite crowded and difficult to take photos.)

Unfortunately I had to leave early because I wasn't feeling well and I missed my husband winning the thong throwing competition. Alas, I hadn't even had a single drink. Very un-Australian.How was your Australia day? How did you spend the day?

(Blogger, why are you underlining everything now?)

Summer loving...

Given the hot weather we have been experiencing a project made of wool is hardly practical. While I know this, I am so excited about the prospect of having the throw finished and on the lounge, ready to use when the weather cools down again that I have been managing to crochet while sitting under the fan...

Today we celebrate Australia Day.

I will be back later to share some of the days events.

I love op-shopping...

The beginnings of a new collection...

What is it about vintage plates?

I'm not sure, but they look quite sweet grouped together I think.

Do you have some thrifted goodness to share via Flea Market finds?

Please Vote...

The amazing, talented, inspiring, hilarious, witty and crafty Jodie of Ric-Rac fame has been nominated by the lovely Nic of Yardage Design, for the Poppies Handmade Crafter award.

Would you, dear supporters of handmade, be so kind as to vote for the lovely Jodie? And perhaps you would like to, as I have done, borrow this lovely image from Nic to spread the word on your own blog? Jodie is very deservedly in esteemed crafting company and competition for this award.

Wouldn't it be wonderful for an Aussie girl to win?!

Please vote!

Fabric shopping...

I did not come home empty handed yesterday.

Although I went to buy fabric for the Colette pattern, I succeeded in falling in love with some luxurious silk fabric, $35 per meter, that was little out of the budget I had in mind and didn't end up finding anything else nearly as lovely. So sadly the top has been put on the back burner for now.

But why waste the trip? I really needed no encouragement. I picked up two sweet fat quarters, a tube of buttons and more wool for the throw I have started for the lounge...

Thank you for the suggestions and links to the crochet patterns for the throw. While browsing through them I came across a design I thought looked simple and sweet that would fit in perfectly with the cushion fabric. There was no pattern, so I had a play and this is what I have come up with.

The wool is a warm mustard colour and is closer in colour to the first photo. It was being beastly and did not want to be photographed properly.

Look at that mustard coloured zig-zag rug on the top there.

Wouldn't it go perfectly...

Edit: Wouldn't that rug look fantastic under the coffee table, with the throw and new cushions?

Loving...

I'm reading 'Brideshead Revisited' by Evelyn Waugh.

I have been drawn into it and been reading at any chance.

Listening to old and diverse favorites on Youtube.

Crafting between crochet and sewing.

Laughing at Colbert.

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Have you made any new discoveries?

Do tell, I love finding new and interesting things!

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PS. This is the 300th post...

I love op-shopping...

This little darling was sitting, very lonely, atop of a pile of puzzles. That really was no place for a vintage sewing box of to live, is it? I thought not either.

So she came home with me, happy to start a new life.

I felt sure that she would love some vintage cotton for company.

There has been a bit of jealousy amongst the other sewing boxes, but she is settling in nicely.

Find and change...

A little thrifty find to share with you today, with this big beautiful old basket, for the sum of $2.50. Now I can't wait to fill it with all kinds of things.

I never thought I would be partial to baskets, but now I find them quite charming.

A basket full of yarn. A picnic basket full of food. An old basket full of toys.

Funny how your tastes change isn't it?

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If you have unearthed something vintage Sophie is inviting you to participate in her new meme, 'flea market finds'...

I have made some changes the header and layout on the blog, but for some reason the header doesn't want to be in the center. Not quite sure what to do about that and welcome any suggestions? And as with any blogger layout change, I have lost the list of blogs I read and hope to either re-list them, or as they are on my profile page, feature one blog a week instead.

I have started a craft page on facebook as an extension of this blog and would love you to join if you are interested and be able to contribute to discussions, tutorials and links, craft project ideas and photo's of your finished craft pieces.

I made this...

Some photo's of the new cushions I made, as promised. I still didn't seem to be able to get a decent photo of them, but these will give you a rough idea.

(I'm afraid everything is quite brown in this photo - lounge, table, cabinet - and I have previously decided to brighten things up and possibly paint our old coffee table white and get some colour on those walls. It doesn't look quite as bad in real life, well nearly as bad! I don't think Design Sponge will be asking for more photos. Maybe one day...)

I love this fabric and the 50's feel of the colours. I made simple cushion covers that close with buttons to make it easy to remove and wash them when necessary.

And, they are very comfortable.

Over the bridge and far away...

How wonderful is it to spend a warm fine day by the water with loved ones? A picnic by the water, a baby sitting at the waters edge, birds diving into the lake for fish and mullet jumping out of the water.

All kinds of wonderful I would say.

Especially kayaking our way around the lake with said loved ones, and pointing out our dream house overlooking the water.

Hope you have found a bit of wonderful too.

Things I have learnt...

I have learnt that I absolutely must double check that I have traced each and every dot and circle from the pattern as they are necessary later...

I have learnt that as there is a difference between 'turn under' and 'turn up' one must read the pattern instructions more carefully or one will have to do some unpicking...

And also, I have learnt that when ironing be careful not to accidentally touch the lining with the iron...

Lining melts onto irons.

Enough said.

Skinned knee, silly me...

"I'll just carry Cohen into the water over these rocks."

"It looks slippery, want me to go first in case?"

"Ok."

"Um, oh, it is slippery. I think I am going to fall."

"Don't be a big sissy mummy, go on."

(Slip, splash, owwww!)

"Oops! Oh look, there is sand over there and no rocks."

...

Thank you for the sisterly encouragement, you know who you are...

At least I went first, saving you from slipping and falling into the water while holding my son.

My knee has stopped bleeding thank you, though the first thing hubby said when he got home was,

"What happened to your knee?"

Sore knee aside I laughed so hard when I realised the rock that Cohen had been holding in (jazz) his hands ready to throw...

... actually fell down the back of his neck and sat in his collar, hiding there until he took his hat off.

Ahhh, sweet funny boy with your sand, rocks and seaweed, how you make me laugh.

Sweet dreams are made of these...

I could hardly sleep last night.

I couldn't get comfortable. I couldn't turn my brain off. I couldn't relax.

It may sound funny, however, all I could think about was the Colette pattern that arrived in the mail.

When finally I slept, my dreams were coloured by fabric, scissors, buttons and thread...

Still day dreaming about the blouse I made up the IKEA fabric into three cushions for the lounge. If I could get a decent photo of them on there I would share them with you. Soon perhaps.

I think I really need to make a start on this blouse. Like really start on it, so I can sleep tonight. I should make a mock up first in cotton I think. I need lightweight fusible interfacing too... hmmm...

Pancakes and Linen thread...

Tuesday I left the dishes in the sink, the clothes in the laundry basket and the floors unswept and made my way instead to a pancake breakfast with my parents and on to lunch in the mountains.

Have you ever noticed how conversations start, stop, pause and get lost in the movements of a baby? Some one must pick the baby up when he falls and gets a fright. Someone must keep him from touching those cables, the cat food or the rubbish bin. Then there are the lovely interruptions that make you smile, like a baby standing up unaided and looking very pleased with himself. It is always lovely to catch up with my family, and those unfinished conversations leave you wondering on the long drive home. Also, while in the company of family the responsibility of a one year old, that is usually mine alone during the day, is shared and some of the pressures lifted.

Apart from conversation and food the day was filled with fabric and vintage goodies from my mother, sister and a thrift shop on the downs. I just love the colours and style of these vintage sewing threads and needle box and the doily embroidered with 'Scones'.

Thanks again for all the lovely presents and the wonderful day.

Justified fabric purchases...

I have my partners details for the 8th Doll Quilt Swap, which is only my second, and my mind is swirling with possibilities. First thought was to create a design and then choose fabric.

That was until I came across the red fabric on the right and then the sweet spots in red and blues.

Surely I can design something around the fabric.

Right?

I also picked up this remnant from IKEA,

(while I was supposed to be buying storage boxes and not fabric or pitchers for utensils...)

And I can already see it as cushions on our lounge with a crochet throw, draped artfully, in that very 50's mustard colour.

But as to the design of the throw I'm not sure.

Any ideas?

New beginings...

My husband found this small and fragile egg shell in our garden, that a bird had been secretly growing inside of.

I was delighted when he showed it to me. In the few years we have lived in this house we have created a garden around it where there was none. It's wonderful that animals are finding a home in this space. It is something I've always wanted.

The 6th APT...

The Queensland Art Gallery is hosting the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial until 5th April 2010.

Those unable to attend the gallery can view part of the exhibition on the gallery's virtual tour.

I am never disappointed by the art and activities associated with the exhibition. Amidst the amazing work of over a hundred artists one piece was definitely a stand out for me:

Kohei Nawa's PixCell-Elk#2 2009, comprising of a taxidermied elk, glass, acrylic, crystal beads.

PixCell - ...... (Beads) By covering surface of an object with transparent glass beads, the existence of the object itself is replaced by "a husk of light", and the new vision "the cell of an image" (PixCell) is shown. Most of the motifs, like stuffed animals are found through the internet. I search some auction sites and choose from the images which appear on a monitor as pixel. However, the stuffed animals which actually have been purchased and sent have real flesh feel and smell, and have a discrepancy with images on the monitor. I then transpose them to PixCell in turn. - Kohei Nawa

Loving...

After a difficult day focusing on the positives is always rewarding.

Loving thrifty finds like the brass jewellery box and the crystal ring stand...

Loving shopping with my sister and finding sweet head bands and a new hat...

Loving watching Cohen 'dance' as he bobs to music...

Loving the mixed feelings of finishing a book, most recently 'A farewell to arms' and 'Amsterdam'...

Loving '500 days of Summer'...

Loving listening to Josh Pyke on repeat...

Loving discovering new blogs...

Hope there is a whole lotta love wherever you are.

Another first...

There are certain milestones that really make me pause for thought. Like the first time Cohen smiled at me, his first birthday and now his first hair cut.

Life really is a progression of firsts, isn't it? First tooth, first day at school, first love, first job, first car, first house...

And while the black cape and the lady with the scissors were a mystery to him at first, Cohen was amused with a spray bottle while his baby locks were cut off.

Currumbin Sanctuary...

The rain held off long enough today for us to visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. We marveled at the Australian wildlife - kangaroos, emus, echindnas, koalas, lizards, crocodiles, turtles, birds, dingos, frogs and Tasmanian devils, and enjoyed wandering around the grounds.

It was fairly quiet which was lovely. We had expected it to be a lot busier, but there were sever storm warnings for South East Queensland today. Cohen had a wonderful time and was intrigued by everything. I got to feed some kangaroos and we stumbled upon some fossil digging in the playground.

I think it is definitely one place we will be taking Cohen over the years.