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A quick look at the local op-shop makes a trip to the post office even more interesting. I couldn't resist these tiny bobbins of old crochet cotton. Hidden amongst them was the teeny tiniest little bit of crochet I have ever seen!

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I came home from Noosa to find my business cards had arrived in the mail! Printed by Moo and designed by the talented Lara Cameron. Next time I hope to use some photographs of my jewellery pieces, but for now I just love these cards. What do you think?

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Just popping in quickly while Cohen sleeps. The poor little man has an upset tummy and a fever. Lots of cuddles seem to be helping a little. It has been a big week for him.

We have been away the past three days for hubby's work conference in Noosa. While Dave worked, Cohen and I played and relaxed at the resort. We rushed home to attend a wedding on Saturday and poor Cohen has lost his routines and his usual home cooked meals and with his upset tummy, he is just not himself.

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I also want to congratulate my sister and her boyfriend. While we were in Noosa, they were on Norfolk Island and came back engaged! Well done guys! Wishing you both all the best.

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Loving... foxes.

These red foxes by the talented Pepper.

This sweet print by Penelope and Pip.

The adorable Monty the Fox by Sarrcarr.

And a dear little Stripey Fox card by Pocket Carnival.

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An absolute favorite, as are all his songs.

"Goose-bumplingly beautiful" indeed.

My Creative Space...

I've been working on some jewellery repairs, resizes and the like and making more stock of the cloud earrings to replace those I've sold. I do so love to see them all lined up, waiting to be stamped with the 925 punch and have earring posts soldered on.

There's so much I love about jewellery. When I first encountered silver smithing I immediately fell in love with the history, the metal, the wonderful tools - like perfectly weighted hammers, shiny punches, heavy doming blocks, needle files, fine pliers, German made tin snips - the gems, the process and techniques. Watching jewellers working fascinated me. From the way they sit, to the precise way they hold a file as they transform a sheet or bar of metal into something else entirely, using tools and techniques that have been around for centuries.

I loved studying jewellery. From the melting points of metal and solder, to the chemical composition of flux. I love the process of making jewellery, from preparing the metal, filing, soldering, pickling, to polishing with the final rouge and ultrasonicing.

I'm still in love and still learning and thankful to be doing something I love.

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More Creative Spaces here.

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A quiet, overcast day here, filled with laundry, dishes and the building of cubby houses.

I found this photo of Cohen from last July and already I find it hard to believe how quickly he's gone from this to this. Love that pokey up hair and cheeky smile. He'd just learnt to commando crawl.

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Hope your having a lovely productive day too.

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'Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts'

I stumbled upon this book while looking at one of my favorite aisles at the library. I had seen it out and about in blog land and I added it to my pile of books without a second glance. I have a bit of a soft spot for Martha.

Once home, coffee in hand and child napping, I had an initial flick through it's pages.

At first I was a little disappointed. Having been touted as leaving no craft behind, I like many other crafters, wondered at the use of the word 'encyclopedia'. Sure there is glass etching, tin punching, calligraphy and leaf pressing, as well as beading and 'glittering'. And perhaps the many other crafts we know and love have already been featured in several of Martha's previous books, but I still felt that the dear encyclopedia wasn't really living up to it's name.

On a closer reading though I saw that 32 subjects had been well covered, each with an overview and tips on tools. Each with gorgeous and inspiring photography. I just love those photographs and the neat crafting areas they feature. The projects seem doable, some more difficult and time consuming than others, suited to beginners and advanced crafters. For the first time in my life I felt the urge to do some tin punching.

In the end it really is a great book. I think it would make a wonderful gift or be a great reference book for any crafter.

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Reading - 'My Life in France' Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme

Listening - 'Farewell to the World' Crowded House

Eating - crumpets drowning in butter and honey

Looking - for the perfect yellow wool for the granny blanket

Loving - early morning cuddles in bed with bubba and kitty this morning.

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Thanks to our wonderful friends who shared their home with us, so that we could enjoy a little mountain escape for the weekend. We had such a fantastic time and wandered from the mountains to the beach today, enjoying the cool breeze as we soaked up the sun.

I find weekends such as this just so refreshing.

Hope you had a great weekend too.

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Loving...

This cute cute cute paper sewing machine and accessories from Fantastic Toys.

These amazing boy softies made by Evie. Love all the details. I want one for Cohen's birthday!

This sweet rattle, made by chunkychooky. So clever!

What are you loving right now?

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On one of those overwhelming parenting days, where running off to join the circus really does sound like a good idea, what wouldn't be a good idea would be to sort out your closet. When you are already feeling like the world is caving in, removing more than half your wardrobes contents because they are no longer fit will only make you think of more drastic measures than joining said circus. Now five lonely items sway in the gulf that was once my wardrobe, a hundred empty coat hangers eying them off.

Sometimes there is just nothing for it but to stay up past your bed time, with a glass of wine and read a book that will make you laugh, nod and commiserate. Thank goodness the cross stitched title caught my eye at the library.

My Creative Space...

The Golden Hands Knitting and Crochet Encyclopedia Alternating Cables pattern swatch is as follows.

Cast on 31 stitches.

1st Row. P1, *K4, P1, rep from * to end.

2nd Row. K1, *P4, K1, rep from * to end.

3rd Row. P1, * K4, P1, C4F, P1, rep from * to end.

4th Row. K1, *P4, K1, rep from * to end.

5th Row. P1, *K4, P1, rep from * to end.

6th Row. K1, *P4, K1, rep from * to end.

7th Row. P1, *C4F, P1, K4, P1, rep from * to end.

8th Row. K1, *P4, K1, rep from * to end.

Repeat 8 rows of pattern until desired length.

Now at 52cm in length, how long do you suppose a child's scarf should be?

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Ravelry.

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More Creative Spaces here.

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PS. I may have brought another basket at the op-shop in town on my way home...

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An old house full of character, with beautiful wooden floors. An acre of grass and trees. A dam home to ducks and a large chicken coop. A small community and a quaint town center. A friends dream has become a reality.

Not without jealousy did we visit and explore their new home.

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Congratulations guys! I'm looking forward to many more coffees on the deck and updates on the renovations while the children play.

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'Away with the clouds' sterling sliver brooch, listed in the shop.

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The problem with my local post office is that it is just about next door to an op-shop. The problem with that op-shop is that there are two more op-shops in walking vicinity of it. The problem with having three op-shops in walking distance is that you are always bound to find something. I think that is a nice problem to have though.

The only other problem is that I brought another blanket, and we all know how much I really need another blanket...

Is it just me, or is this crochet snowflake motif kinda cool? And the colors are cool too, sort of, right?

It was one of those finds where you are standing there inspecting it and wondering if your taste is really off. Yes, you love thrifting, yes, you love crochet, but there is such a thing as bad crochet, and you have already been responsible for bad crochet yourself. Can you be trusted? Should you buy it? Will you husband divorce you if he notices you've brought another blanket home? Or should you pay the ten dollars, tuck the blanket under the pram and keep walking?

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Thank you to the lovely Evie and Lexi for mentioning my jewellery on their blogs. You guys rock!

Giveaway winner...

Thank you for all your lovely entries into my 'Away with the clouds' pendant giveaway!

I have really enjoyed reading all your fantastic words of wisdom and favorite quotes.

Random.org has picked a lucky number from it's virtual hat and the winner is...

Kate of Fox's Lane.

Kate's sage piece of advice was to "to listen to all the advice you are given, nod politely and then to make up your own mind."

Thank you again for all the lovely collection of quotes and advice, well worth taking a moment to read through if you've not yet had the chance.

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A windy, oh so windy day at the beach yesterday. So windy in fact that my poor old camera was relegated to the car and the only pictures taken were snapped quickly from said car.

Had Cohen been any smaller I am quite sure he could have blown away, it was that windy. But he didn't mind in the least. He let his hat be blown this way and that and settled for walking a few steps, bending down to pick up a rock or scratch in the sand and then walking a few more steps.

Perhaps it is easier to walk on such a windy day when you are lower to the ground?

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I am super excited to draw the giveaway tomorrow. Get your entries in quick if you haven't yet.

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My second attempt at my first babushka doll, now finished except for the addition of a little bell. I closely followed the directions for the first attempt and wasn't completely satisfied with the resulting doll. I started over and assembled the pieces differently and I'm much happier with this sweet little doll. Perfect for little arms to hold and little hands to rattle.

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I have long admired this lovely Babushka doll pattern by Blinking Flights and now I have the perfect excuse to make one, for a friend who's little one is due soon. Some more hand stitching and I should be able to share the finished doll with you soon.

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Thanks to all those who have already added their fantastic quotes and words of wisdom and entered the giveaway. It has been so good reading through them all. Lots of lovely and timely reminders. If you haven't entered, you still have until Monday to be in the draw.

My Creative Space...

A simple bezel set moss agate brooch I made for my sister.

In keeping with my current theme I saw pierced some little clouds out of the back plate.

Still managed to photograph lint. I think a new jewellery cleaning cloth especially for photography is in order.

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More Creative Spaces here.

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Don't forget to enter the giveaway.

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How I love little packages tied up with string. Definitely one of my favorite things.

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Don't forget to enter the giveaway.

Giveaway...

'Away with the clouds' pendant on silver plated chain.

In celebration of the opening of my online store I am giving away this 'Christina Lowry Designs' handmade sterling silver pendant.

To enter the giveaway please leave a comment and share with us a memorable piece of advice you have been given or a favorite quote.

Please leave another comment if you are a follower or have begun following.

A further entry is possible by either mentioning the giveaway on your twitter, Facebook or blog.

Lets get the word out, and share in some words of wisdom.

Winner will be drawn on Monday the 16th August.

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Giveaway is closed. Thank you for all the entries. The winner is Kate!

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A little hand pieced pentagon baby ball, needing just a little bell and some finishing stitches. So fun to pick out cute fabrics and hand stitch on the couch, knowing a little one will be playing with it soon. There's a tutorial I found here.

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And to celebrate the opening of my shop and my 200th follower, tomorrow there will be a giveaway!

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A craft shopping expedition with friends.

A warm Sunday morning.

Coffee and croissants.

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The bunting is finished. So simple, quick and fun. I started and finished it while Cohen napped and I baked a cheesecake too. I used navy bias binding and spaced them 7cm apart.

Blu tacked in place while I continue to wonder about its proper place in the house.