handmade christmas...

Well it's hard to believe, but thanks to Knicky Knacks Handmade Christmas Challenge my Christmas shopping is almost sorted - shock, I know!!  Admittedly, we don't have many to get this year so that makes it all a little easier.  I've hit a bit of a creative wall for the challenge this week but I thought I'd share my handmade door decoration with you.  I used this last year & I really liked the way it looked & the tinkle of the stars whenever the door opened...

Join in the Challenge over here.

my creative space...

All that shimmers...

re-purposing some delicate fabrics, giving unused pieces new life.  I'm loving these colours, so soft and pretty...

...and canvases for some little babies to be born very soon.  Using my sweet old door plaque for a little inspiration here, it was on my very own nursery door & I so love it!

Pop on over to Kootoyoo for a wander through some other creative spaces.

a lovely swap...

I have to say one of the most incredible things about blogging is the gorgeous, clever & oh so generous people you meet along the way.  The lovely Pam from Cloth To Creation and I played a little game of swapsies & she has sent me this stunning book mark, along with gorgeous vintage gift tag, so clever, just look at the detail she has put into these pieces...

I adore that the book mark has been made using a vintage suspender clip, how divine! And the elegant lady reminds me of my dear Nan, always with the matching shoes hat, bag & gloves, love it!   Thanks so much Pam, it was  lots of fun!

smelling the roses...

I was about to post this & then thought maybe I wouldn't....

You may remember a little while ago when I wrote this post.  I had so many lovely responses, so many of you feeling much the same.  It's funny how just a little way down the track, that unsettled feeling creeps back somehow. It's not discontent, I love that I am a stay at home mum, I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to be available to the kids, the house and all that goes with that.  The need to have to justify this lifestyle just tugs at me every now & then.  I think what I'm feeling is a little bit anxious, maybe, knowing that it's not long now before my little guy joins his big brothers at school & it'll be time for me to go back to work.  I'm just not sure what that work will be.  Whatever it is that I do, I want to enjoy it, I want to be excited & passionate about it...but what, I really don't know.  To make things more complicated, I want to be available after school hours so that I can pick up the kids & hear about their day, and run them around to wherever they need to go.  I suppose it's still another 18 months away, I guess anything could happen between now and then...

While pondering my post, I popped over to my dashboard and read this by Sarah at Splish Splash Designs.  Thank you Sarah,  for reminding me to take time to enjoy the simple things and the treassures that surround me, goodness knows they'll be all grown up in the blink of an eye.  Time to stop & smell the roses...

image via lola's room

crocheted trims...

After tidying up my craft cabinet last week, I've sorted through my thrifted yarn and found some great colours.  I've been happily crocheting little rounds, making garlands, necklaces & brooches.  I thought these would make a nice Christmas decoration & I love the grey as a necklace...

 Join in the Handmade Christmas Challenge over here...

my creative space...

working on packaging...

tiny rounds...

and the chunky cowl that has been left by the wayside... 

take a peek at some other clever crafters over here...

tiny rounds...

I'm feeling compelled to make these tiny little rounds.  I'm loving the colour & how pretty & delicate they look, and watching the pile grow...

point and shoot...

Apparently,we got lucky winning 'Donkey' in a competition that I seriously do not remember entering!

Where do you put that!!!?

Have fun with 'point & shoot' at Fat Mum Slims... 

at my house...

It's been a nice few days pottering about at home, trying to have a bit of quiet time after the 1st week back for term 3 & all the busyness that comes with that.  Here's a quick stair update...

Feeling good!  Isn't it amazing how well you can feel in just a few days. 

thanks to the big boy for the action shot..glad he wasn't aiming any higher!

So far I've been at it every day, just before the boys' bedtime.  I couldn't miss a day if I tried, with little voices reminding me.. "Have you done your exercise yet Mum?".. in the hope that it buys them a few extra minutes of staying up...

and then, not so good for the thighs...

baking scones for morning tea...

and pancakes!!

and while Hubby makes lamb shanks for dinner...

 playing trains...

and learning to ride on two wheels...

What's happening at your place? Join in with Buttons By Lou Lou...

mulled wine...

My contribution to this weeks Handmade Christmas Challenge is more appropriate for a winter Christmas...so here's "Cheers" to Christmas in July!

 

 4 whole black peppercorns

4 strips fresh lemon zest

4 strips fresh orange zest

2 bottles red wine

1/2 cup brandy

1 1/2 cups water

3/4 cup sugar

1 cinnamon stick

1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise

Mix all together in a saucepan and heat gently over low flame for about 10 minutes. Strain & serve warm.

share your Christmas ideas over at Knicky Knacks...

my creative space...

...is getting busy & really enjoying making more of these.

...and a work in progress, almost enough squares to put the patchwork blanket together. 

visit more creative spaces here 

time to hit the stairs...

So, I am the worst ever at setting any kind of fitness goals, frankly, it just doesn't interest me, never has!  The reality is, my 38yr old, bearer of 3 chunky babies, dessert loving body is not going to keep itself trim without a little exercise, it's time I faced it.  So this is my new regime, it's not much but it's something, and I know if I over do it with some lengthy program that I'll never find time to do, well, I simply won't do it...

So here it is...

my stairs!!

I will do 20 sets of these stairs each day.  That doesn't include the going up & down to do incidental things here & there, it means consecutive sets. 

So it's up 2 at a time & singles down = 1 set.

I am putting it out there for all to know in the hope that this will help me to commit. Otherwise, I'd most likely decide a cuppa & some blog visiting might be a nicer way to spend a few minutes.  Yes, it's only a few minutes...a day! I can commit to that.  I will commit to that.

Starting NOW!!

no goals, no 'by this time I'll have lost this much or be wearing that bathing suit..' just do it to feel good, because I know I will...(looking good in a bathing suit will be a bonus)...

flea market finds...

vintage floral curtain, this photo isn't really showing it off but it's gorgeous & silk!

enormous cream crocheted rug which has been made by putting 4 triangles together to make a big sqaure & so beautifully made, 

9 cup Corning Ware coffee percolator, love it! 

and some great music sheet books for a few handy projects I have in mind.

For more flea market finds visit Her Library Adventures...

point & shoot...sticky fun

what can I say...?

join in at Fat Mum Slims...

at my house...

A superhero turns 6!!

Toy Story 3 - finally! We've been waiting ever so patiently to see this movie, but the 6yr old wanted to see it on his birthday...

and cake...

a nice way to end the school holidays.

While searching for the (dreaded) Buzz Lightyear quilt, I also found my favourite winter quilt cover hidden in the depths of our linen cupboard.  I love this quilt, I'd almost forgotten we had it. 

can't wait to snuggle down in there tonight...

We've been so slow moving over the last 2 weeks, bliss, how are we ever going to get out the door on time tomorrow?

What's going on at your place? Join in here at Buttons By Lou Lou...

handmade christmas challenge...

I've been spending way too much time drooling over gorgeous handmade gift ideas this week, though it seems my stocking is looking a lot plumper than anyone else's.  I've been getting some gift cards & wrapping ideas together while huddled inside on this very cold & windy winters day...

they'll be made using recycled & thrifted bits & pieces. 

and this hanging decoration made by a local guy...

Not traditional Christmas colours, I usually have different colour schemes & themes each year, and I'm going with natural tones this year...

join in the Handmade Christmas Challenge here...

welcome old friend...

I used to have so much fun with Knitting Nancy when I was little, so it was very exciting when Mum found her while sorting through some things...

She's a little worn, well loved...

it took a bit to remember how, but not too long before it all came flooding back to me...

I can't wait to get busy creating with her again, and she's the perfect travel companion, small enough to pop in the handbag, hours of fun ahead...

my creative space...

So, I decided to persevere on the random stripey rug (thanks so much for your thoughts & ideas), and I'm following on with the size order, hopefully it'll work...

I'm still not so sure, I think it's the colour choices...

Pop over to visit other creative spaces at Kootoyoo...

tuckered out...

The holidays have all been a bit too much for this little man...

all tuckered out!

gorgeous goodies...

A few fun things I picked up at Daylesford on the weekend...

gorgeous goodies from Lark, gifts for some sweet littlies, it's so nice to buy for girls...

I met Tania from Myrtle & Eunice, it was so exciting to put a face to a name & I LOVE her beautiful tea towels & quirky cards - thanks Tania!

a paper bunting kit from greenolive design, looking forward to putting this together for the big boys room. 

We also bought a cute knitted beanie for the little guy, books, delicious handmade chocolates... between the markets, trash 'n treasure & some lovely shops, there just weren't enough hours in the day!

how's the serenity...

I've joined the boys up at my parents place for a few days.  They absolutely love it here, the space, the freedom to play & so much for them to do.  It really is so pretty, I especially love it in the winter time.  Even though it's bitterly cold, it is just so pretty & peaceful...

Off to Daylesford tomorrow to visit the Lark garage sale, the Maker's Market & the Farmer's Market, what a treat, a weekend of markets - heaven!  Maybe I'll see you there...

my creative space...

I've been wanting to make a cover for my sewing machine for ages now.  It seems it'll be a while before I can have myself a little sewing room, and so seeing as the machine still lives on our dining table I thought I may as well make it look pretty using an old vintage sheet...

This proved more difficult than I imagined.  I didn't have a pattern exactly but I used the old plastic cover as a bit of a guide...

turns out it's a bit too generous, but I think it'll do the job.

and now, with the littlest superhero's delivered to their nana & pop's, I just might have time to get up to some more creating - Yay!

for more creative spaces head over to Kootoyoo...