point & shoot...

my littlest man...

Despite the extraordinary heat outside yesterday, I was comfortably sitting inside, in the cool crocheting like a woman possessed.  My head was in a spin.  Every time I'd start something I'd have another idea & start on something else.  This is a picture of our little guy, loving his new neck warmer...for another day perhaps...

point & shoot @ fat mum slim...

simple things...

This week I am grateful for quiet days at home, getting things done, enjoying holidays & watching my boys play.  I never tire of listening to them at play.  Their wild imaginations transporting them to magical places, adventurous places.  I really need to record them sometimes, so that we can capture those moments & keep them forever...

for more grateful posts pop on over to maxabella's...

my creative space...

a cascade of paper doily hearts...

more in the 'dark' series of poison apple brooches...

a vintage sheet dress...

that looks a little more 'nightie' than 'beach', perhaps a pocket is needed...

and cloudy days influence my hook...

a productive week all round!

visit Kootoyoo for loads more creative spaces!

'stylish blogger', why thankyou...

I am tickled to have been selected for a stylish blogger award by Tammi over at little poppa & me, what a thrill!  Upon accepting this award I need to...

• Thank & link back to the person who awarded me
• Share 7 things about myself
• Pay it forward to 10 great bloggers
• Contact those bloggers and tell them about their award

Okay, so let's kick it off with 7 things about me...

1. I grew up in the country on a hill that, way back then, seemed to be in the middle of nowhere & lived in a caravan with our little family, my brothers horse, a dog, a cat & chooks while my dad built our home & my mum would cart water to our van for us to stand in a tub & be washed down by candlelight. This was only 35 yrs ago, not the beginning of time!  I love the memories of those caravanning hillbilly days!

2.I have four brothers, 1 older & 3 younger all of whom I adore and cherish with all my heart, even though I was dismally disappointed every time mum came home with another brother.

3. My ultimate life dream was to be a dancer travelling the world and living a life of glamour on the stage.  One day I'm going to put my taps back on and dance my days away as a granny.

4. I LOVE the really 'bad for you' bits at the bottom of the fry pan & roasting dish.

5. I was always confused when star signs would talk about my creative ways, all my life I never thought I had the slightest glimmer of creative goodness within me & always admired my unbelievably talented mother who would sew the most amazing things.  Little did I know, I just had to do a little soul searching...

6. As I get older I am noticing how much like my dad I am.  Growing up I'd always thought we had nothing in common, when in fact we are so very alike. His meticulous ways, his love & appreciation for all things old & beautiful and for old fashioned, handcrafted perfection. I hope that my boys can spend loads of time with him when he retires, he is hands down the cleverest man I know! 

7. I have always wanted to go whale watching and one day I will.  There is something incredibly mesmerising about whales...their enormity, their grace.  Oh my goodness I think I would be terrified and elated all at once to see them close up!

So now I will hand this very lovely award on to 10 other fabulous bloggers whose space I love to go visit and enjoy their stylish ways...

bord & butik

join my joy

kiss the birdie

lola nova

tea with lucy

thrifted treasure

cloth to creation

maxabella loves

thimbles & crumbles

myrtle & eunice

...I could go on, but there you have it.  Thanks again Tammi!



grateful today...

for the freedom to be whoever you want to be!

shades & bling picked up at a garage sale this morning

I adore that our two little guys love to dress up.  Sometimes, like today, they go without the full suit but they always have some quirky accessory that serves some kind of meaningful purpose.  In fact, our 6 yr old doesn't even consider it to be 'dressing up', to him its just being whoever he feels like being on the day, accessories and all! The best part is that he doesn't notice people stare, he says 'Hi' to them casually when they seek him out and comment on his attire.  I am so grateful that he does what he loves & that he is just who he is, may he always have that freedom...

for more grateful posts pop over to maxabella loves...

my creative space...

I've been all creative all over the place this week! I've been making lots of love hearts I can't seem to get enough of them just now.  Making them from paper, fabric, wood & anything else that says 'love' to me. I don't know what's with that but I'm rolling with it!  I've been creating a little joy out in our garden, tidying up & prettying things a bit & last night I made myself a dress!! Even hubby's a little impressed...

more on the dress later, it's a a funny little tale...but today I really must get these pretty sweet things all hand stitched & ready to go...

Head over here for more creative spaces, the first for the year, woohooo!

inspiring food...

So those who know me well, know very well that the kitchen is one of the last places I like to spend my time, there is just no joy there for me!

However, the simple fact is I am a mama with 3 hungry boys and a 'foodie' husband (thank goodness for him, weekend dining at home is usually quite spectacular), and so I am bound to spend a little time in the kitchen, it's my job, it's just the way it is...

It takes a lot to inspire this little lady when it comes to food, and these treasures are going to be my bibles this year.  I purchased Apples for Jam a couple of years ago, purely because I was in love with the cover, and it really is the only book that has ever inspired me.  Good wholesome family cooking.  Lola Berry's book is cover to cover goodness & one pot, slow cooking is a winner not only for it's easy, hearty dishes but because cleaning up means washing one pot! I'm actually a little excited...

grateful...

it's difficult not be grateful for all that we have after this weeks events in queensland...

grateful for wonderfully generous people,

extraordinary communities & the power of the human spirit...

Grateful also for silly things we do that create wonderful family memories..and my new thrifted umberella! We made a mad dash to save our fruit that was being destroyed by this weeks rain, all running about in our jammies picking as many apricots & nectarines as we could, though tearing through puddles on bikes & scooters was way more fun...

for more grateful posts visit Maxabella...x

changes...

Welcome to the Loved blog!
Well, same blog, different name...

In fact it is still Little Ted Canvas at heart, but in order to keep things consistent with my on line stores & face book page I thought I'd just merge them all as one, simple! 

I hope this doesn't lead to too much confusion, though I think most of you lovely friends are aware already that Little Ted Canvas & Loved are one and the same, and I look forward to continuing to share this little space with you all...

Mel @ Loved x

A new year begins...

I've been completely lost & absorbed in summer holiday lazing, visiting, beaching & relaxing.  It's been a hectic few weeks but I've thoroughly enjoyed having my family around and simply living one day at a time...

the fair...

Now the new year has begun.  We've kicked it off full speed ahead beginning with fireworks on the Bluff which was the most spectacular & mesmerising sight.  This was the first time our boys have stayed up til midnight so it was incredibly exciting, maybe just a little bit challenging but very much worth it! We've also had lots of birthdays, a christening & my baby brother announced his engagement to his gorgeous gorgeous girl, his soul mate!  And already its time for Hubby to go back to work, family head home & it's time to clear out & tidy up around this place. 

I've been busy making a few pieces for two new stockists which I'm very excited about.  It's always so lovely to have people admire & comment on my work, and so to have been asked to pop some things into a couple of local stores has just about blown my mind! It sure is a learning experience, but it's an exciting opportunity and I can't wait to see where it leads me.  So here's to a very promising 2011 for Loved, we're off to a good start so far!

lazing with the Great Aunts...

beaching with friends...

Though for now, there are still 3 more weeks left of our holiday season and I plan to bask in the joy this beautiful seaside town has to offer...