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Hope your weekend brings with it great news, great company and great food.

I'm off to package up these custom made Mother's Day orders and partake in the last stretch of hand stitching my picnic rug binding. Hope to share it with you tomorrow.

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Noticing...

the softer light of Autumn 

the smell of the wet leaves in the garden 

the sun on my face as I hang the clothes on the line 

the sweetness of little feet in gum boots

and falling even more in love with the season.

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Happy birthday Father. Hope the fish are biting.

xx

My Creative Space...

I've been enjoying extra moments of creativity while Dave's been on holidays. As well as relishing breakfast in bed, a solo op-shopping excursion and extra help in the kitchen. If only I could keep him at home a little longer. 

A new knitting project has been started. Projects that have sat on my 'meaning to do' list for longer than I'd care to admit have been completed. Such as the replacement curtain for the laundry door, with recently thrifted fabric. Or hand stitching the binding to my picnic blanket, which is now nearly finished. There's also been a lot happening at the bench, with custom orders and new stock for the shop.

For purely selfish reasons, I'm not at all keen for him to return to work tomorrow...

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More Creative Spaces here.

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Simply ten good things

de-cluttered linen closets
sprouting seedlings
thoughtful Aunty presents
children in Mama made vests kissing cats
'The Home-maker' by Dorothy Canfield
cardigans
spending an entire day in pyjamas
husbands on holidays
rainy evenings
the hand drawn Paddington Bear series


Joining in with SouleMama

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In the shop in time for Mother's Day...

'What a Wonderful World' White drop Pearl Earrings


'What a Wonderful World' White drop Pearl Pendant

Also available for custom order with Peacock coloured pearls...

'What a Wonderful World' Peacock drop Pearl Earrings

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Easter weekending...

Mama, Dada and Cohen painted porcelain eggs, thanks to Grandma. So precious.

Leisurely lunch and breakfast with family.

Treasure hunting for boxes of candy in the garden.

Gifts from the Easter bunny.

Pottering, reading, knitting, silver smithing.

Such a wonderful Easter.

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A beautiful day for sandy feet, pockets full of treasure and sketching by the water at Hastings Point.

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Wishing you all a safe and happy Easter.

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Making: Paper pots using this tutorial and planting Snapdragon, Snow Pea and Brocolli seeds.

Reading: The humorous 'Diary of a provincial lady' by E. M. Delafield & the delightfully crafted 'Bugs in a blanket' by Beatrice Alemagna.

Baking: Anzac biscuits. Perfectly packable day trip snacks for Easter outings.

Listening: To some amazing poets at the Riverbend Poetry Series.

Acquiring: Several new caterpillar pets from the Gardenia. 

Knitting: Away at this little cardigan, still.

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Thrifted spoons and alphabet punches from the depths of father's wondrous work bench.
Perfectly imperfect.

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Tutorials found here and here. 

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'The Gardener's Reward' Pendant

'I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.' - Henry David Thoreau

When my father discovered this banded agate at an antique fair, it immediately spoke to me of layers of rich earth. I also found the tones reflected in our drying basil seed heads and was inspired to create a unique piece to reflect these little gifts from the garden and the promise they hold for Spring.

From pottering in the potting shed, to coffee at an antique shop, this wonderful warm piece will work with any outfit. Wrap yourself in a comfortable cardigan with wooden buttons, or step out in a divine day dress and adorn your neck with this distinctive chalcedony pendant.

A one of a kind, handmade piece by Christina Lowry, using new and recycled silver. 'The Gardener's Reward' pendant features an unusual 27x15mm oval cabochon cut Agate, set in solid Sterling Silver and stamped 925. The back plate is saw pierced by hand with a basil inspired design. The pendant is adorned with a leaf shaped bail and comes on a complimentary silver plated chain. This piece will come packaged in a drawstring pouch and bubble wrap for protection.


SOLD.

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One less item in the knitting basket. 

A simple project. Quiet nights spent knitting. Pinning and blocking during nap time. A handmade cushion insert for a perfect fit. Mattress ticking fabric and wooden buttons. A child as occupied playing with his barn and tractors, as his mother was with cutting and stitching.

And yet, I keep looking at it, hardly believing that I made it. It's just a cushion. Though it seems to symbolize just how much I've learnt since my crafting journey began in earnest whilst pregnant with Cohen.

Do you ever get that feeling?

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Ravelry.

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Jewels discovered at the Botanic Gardens today. 

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Wishing you a wonderful weekend full of adventure, laughter and creativity.

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Yesterday, as I tottered my red watering can around the garden and admired the drying basil flowers, I was reminded of Melissa's lovely seed saving envelopes. After some peaceful time spent at the kitchen table with seed packets from my bench and Cohen's pencils, I now have my first collection of saved seeds. Which have also inspired the creation of something else. 

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More things that charm, from the Granny Chic flickr group...

Image credits left to right:

Made in Monty, pompomrouge, ethanollie
itchinstitchin, emma lamb, Trisha Brink Designs
so NOT cool, nostalgifabriken, hollybairy

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'The Secret of the Olive Grove' Brooch

A homage to Van Gogh's rich colour palette and compelling line work in his paintings of Olive Trees; together with the translucent nature and rich tone of this fascinating piece of Amber; inspired the creation of this unique brooch. 

The honey coloured gem reveals the secret of the Olive Grove beneath. The hammer textured back plate references Van Gogh's use of line. The organic silhouettes of the olive branches allude to the organic nature of the fossilized resin itself.

Truly a special brooch for any significant occasion. This natural beauty could be gifted with love to celebrate the birth of a child, mark a memorable anniversary, or an engagement promise.

A one of a kind, handmade piece by Christina Lowry. 'The Secret of the Olive Grove' brooch features a 34mm round translucent cabochon Amber, set in solid Sterling Silver and stamped 925. The back plate is saw pierced by hand and the design is visible through the gem. The brooch is secured with a strong pin. This piece will come packaged in a drawstring pouch and bubble wrap for protection.


Sold.