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Hello Autumn.

There is something to be said for those mundane day to day chores. That feeling of accomplishment you get whenever all the hand washing and woolens are out of the basket and have spent their time in the sun. Or every dish in the house is washed. Or there are clean sheets on every bed.

A cake cooling oven the counter and the floor still a little wet in patches after being mopped.

Mundane and yet lovely. To have a closet full of clean clothes, a kitchen full of clean dishes and fresh sheets to lay between at night.

I am reminded how very lucky I am to have all of these things and more.

Flea Market Finds...

I love picnics. I am always dragging my husband and our sweet little boy off on picnics. So when I found this small picnic basket for five dollars at an op-shop I brought it home. I was thrilled to find brand new cutlery and plates inside and I love that gingham.

I have been thinking about making napkins and a picnic rug to go with it so Cohen can have his very own picnic basket. As he has food allergies I think this sweet picnic basket will come in handy for many an outing.

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More Flea Market Finds here.

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Ikea toddler bed and mattress found on ebay for $20.

Two brand new queen size flat sheets found at the local op-shop for $4.50 each.

Some painting, cutting and sewing. Now I have a white toddler bed, two flat sheets, two fitted sheets and two pillow cases for $29.

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This is the layout for the hexagons. I am working towards a queen sized quilt, entirely hand stitched and made from 1930's reproduction fabrics.

The green fabric surrounding the flowers was a Spotlight purchase and I am rather nervous that I've not brought enough of it now and of course I cannot find any more of it at my local store.

Can I ask a favor? If you see some in your local store or have some you care to part with could you send me an email? I'm happy to pay for the fabric and the postage of course.

The fabric I am looking for is "Antique Treasures" Patt, 9837. Maybe there is a Spotlight out there that still has a meter or two of it?

Thanks for your help.

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EDIT: Thanks for your comments lovely ladies. I sent Spotlight an email from their site inquiring as to whether they have any of the fabric left in stock, but I thought it worth while putting the word out in blogland too, just in case.

My Creative Space...

Among the nappies that need changing, the floor that needs mopping and the dinners that need cooking I have been finding moments to weave needle and thread through this pile of hexagons and add them to their growing number.

My apron for the swap is all but finished also, but it is to be a surprise so I will post about it once it is received.

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More Creative Spaces here.

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I am trying to convince my twin sister to start a blog as a way of documenting her art and inspiration. Here are a few pages of her newest moleskine journal. What do you think?

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A table made by my Grandfather and a chair brought from ebay for a dollar.

A place for hours of fun for a certain little boy.

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A crochet loop toy for a sweet little bub in colours to match his blanket.

I think I will make some more of these in some nice bright colours, with the tubes a little thinner.

Free pattern here.

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Ravelry.

Flea Market Finds...

I wonder if Cohen's future self will mind about my habit of buying old crochet children's coat hangers for his closet? Perhaps he will laugh? Or shake his head? Or perhaps he won't have noticed them?

Just look at them though. Like Tifs 'lost souls', I can't help but bring them home with me. They live quietly in the closet and make me smile when I put his clothes away.

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More Flea Market Finds here.

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Buyster offered me the chance to choose a product from one of their stores to review here on my blog. I browsed the isles of their virtual store and found just the thing.

I chose the Andre Verdier Laguiole knife set, as we have been wanting to replace our old set once we found something we liked. They arrived a couple of days ago and I have been testing them out ever since. They can cut homemade pizza and sticky macadamian brownies like nobodies business.

I love the shape and the colour of the knives, they have such a vintage feel to them. They are the kind of all purpose knife that makes me feel like I could cut steak, go camping and serve the Queen without worry. They came packaged in a wooden box and delivered by TNT. Buyster's service was great and the time between order and delivery was quick.

I am thinking now that I need the rest of the set...

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It's nice to give your children some of the toys from your own childhood I think. My parents brought my little old children's sewing machine out of storage. It once had batteries and a foot peddle and sewed lines with it's single thread, the needle only lifting very slightly so little fingers cannot be caught by it.

Although it is a little worse for wear, Cohen is enjoying playing with it and that's all that matters I think.

My Creative Space...

Not content with just basting the hexagons, I have started joining them. I can really envision how the quilt will look now when it's finished. And while it still has a long way to go, I am really excited about it.

I love how neat paper piecing is too. I use freezer paper.

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More creative spaces here.

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I have been quite hopeless at getting myself to a post office of late. It has remained on my to do list, but I keep managing to spend my pocket money op-shopping and never make it to the posting part.

I'm sorry Melissa, here's a peek at the shawl I made you and have been meaning to send for the past few weeks. It will be in the post today I promise.

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Ravelry.

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When you get less than happy news, what better to do than sit down with a pile of hexagons and a pile of fabric?

And a little help. How I love those sweet little hands!

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I love that the nature center in Queen's Park has a 'Barn', as well as native animal enclosures. It gives children who otherwise wouldn't get the opportunity, the chance to see these animals up close and learn about them.

As well as being exciting for toddlers and mummies who love animals.

Flea Market Finds...

A day at the animal park yesterday, a picnic and some op-shopping.

I brought this sweet sewing box to add to the collection, now numbering five. I could not resist these old crochet cottons either.

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More Flea Market Finds here.

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My second ever piece of crochet clothing completed yesterday afternoon. I modified the pattern to included a button band. I am quite pleased with how it turned out. Still a little big for Cohen, but I should think not for long.

Photo taken on our clothes line, the sun casting shadows across the wall and the vest.

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Ravelry.

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Mementos from life and love. Gradually being added to.

Seeds, shells, threads, petals, stones, feves.

Where do you keep your small keepsakes?

My Creative Space...

My first crochet toy. Finished last night while watching the Pacific.

It seems impossible to get Cohen, the bear and the camera to cooperate.

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More Creative Spaces here.

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A new plate on the wall.

A new header, a new addition to the blog address, a new layout.

Dinner, drink, yarn...

Thank you for all the lovely comments about our Anniversary. You guys are always so sweet.

We celebrated last night with dinner at our favorite Sushi restaurant followed by making a toast to us and the future at the corner bar.

On our walk to the bar we found this bit of yarn bombing, (also known as 'covert street art', which sounds so very intriguing.) It's my first yarn bombing find, so I was rather excited and Cohen loved checking out how securely it was attached (pulling on it.)

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And in what I like to think of as an Anniversary present, the lovely folk at Buyster have gotten in contact with me about reviewing a product of my choice from one of their online stores. Remember last time I had a giveaway?

Given that they sell everything from kitchen wear to entertainment units, the hardest thing has been choosing just one item. But I have chosen now and I will fill you in once it arrives in the mail!

Happy Anniversary...

Seven years ago today the sun shone on my cocktail dress as I walked over the sand. Twenty one, care free and in love.

Less than two years before Dave and I had met and within months we were living together.

The sun shone, the wind blew over the waves and with our family around us we exchanged our vows to love for as long as love lasts.

This morning we both kissed our son's soft checks and I thought about the last nine years and all we have loved and learnt, and I smiled.

Happy 7th wedding anniversary baby.

Flea Market Finds...

Happy Mother's day to all Mums. I hope you have a wonderful day.

I hope to be back later with a little more Mother's day love.

This setting was once my paternal Grandmothers. It is marked 'Made in England H&K Tunstall' and each plate is numbered by hand. I think it is from the 1930's or 4o's and is perhaps a salad or pasta setting. It is such a lovely set and has seen hardly any use at all.

I have welcomed it into my home with open arms and hope it has a very long and happy life with us.

More Flea Market Finds here.

Progress...

Now it's time for ears, nose, eyes and scarf.

I love op-shopping...

I did a spot of op-shopping yesterday and came away with a Cue knit sweater for $12. I tried it on in the change room with an over-it toddler beside me who was ready to go home and quickly paid for it and left. What I didn't see in the poor lightening of the change room, or as I quickly paid for the sweater, was the ink stain below the shoulder. It looks as if the previous owner attempted to remove the stain and then gave up on it and donated it to the op-shop. Luckily for me.

I checked the combined knowledge of the internet and it seems that hairspray is the answer for removing Biro stains. But I, not being brave enough to risk ruining the knit with a whole lot of hair spray, decided on a cover up instead.

Much better and more 'me' I think.

Bring on the cooler weather.

My Creative Space...

In my creative space today is a book my Mother gave me, Vintage-Style Quilts. It is such a lovely book and I would be happy to have almost every piece from it in my house. I am particularly fond of Button Quilt. I love the simple vintage style and of course the buttons.

I thought of making it in a single bed size for Cohen, but I can just imagine him pulling the buttons off. I contemplated making it without the buttons, but I think they are a large part of my attraction to the quilt. So instead I will make a queen bed size quilt for the guest bedroom. I have started a little pile of fabrics and look forward to adding to them. It is one of those projects that I am excited about, but I'm also in no hurry for.

The hook has been at work too, on another ripple cot blanket and the beginnings of a bear.

The pattern is from the Kids Crochet book and is my first crochet toy. Wish me luck!

More Creative Spaces here.

Today...

The sun is out. The boys are weeding in the garden. There are clothes to be hung out on the line. There's music playing in the background.

There's a floor that wants cleaning. A new baby to be met. And books that need reading.

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I do love pottering-around-the-house days.

What are you doing today?

Mount Tamborine II...

We stopped in at two antique shops in Mount Tamborine, which you go straight past as you reach the top of the mountain. This would be by far my favorite antique store at the moment, Felicity's Vintage and Cafe (I cannot find a website). There is a funny little beer bar next door to drop the boys off at to give you time for a good wander.

The rooms of the house are used to display the collection of antiques, while the balcony is home to the cafe seating. There are so many lovely pieces here and if not to buy, then to admire. There were things that I recognised from my parents collections and others that I have at home, there were two jars half full of wooden spools and I picked out four reels to come home with me.

There were some lovely and pricier antiques in this store a couple of shops down the road. The front rooms of the house are filled with more serious antiques and then, strangely, the middle of the room is filled with shiny new handbags.

We drove home via Canungra and marveled at the views as we made our way back down the mountain.

All in all it was a lovely day in the mountains.

Mount Tamborine...

Rather than spend Labour day at the beach we decided to drive up Tamborine Mountain and take ourselves along the gallery walk. As luck would have it, at the top of the mountain we spotted signs for a craft fair and made our way there. Surely I was meant to go?!

We stopped for lunch nearby and I have to tell you, I was served a slice of salmonella in a wrap of undercooked chicken. I declined a replacement wrap and left $10 lighter, disappointed and still hungry.

Thank goodness for bakeries.

A lovely old cottage on top of the mountain.

The weather was beautiful and quite a crowd was gathered at the craft extravaganza. Dave was not very keen on looking at the craft and he and Cohen played in the leaves while I made my way into the hall.

There were teddies, sachets of lavender, pincushions and baskets, brooches, bags, beads and dolls, all with an old country feel. There were lovely older ladies ready to talk craft, children buying gifts for mothers day and men raising money for the rural fire brigade.

And lots of little tables displayed with handmade treasure.

From there we made our way to the antique shops. More photos to come.