handmade treats...

I visited our local market this morning, very happy to find my lovely and super talented friend Mandy was there with a stall full of her beautifully handmade pieces...

  so I treated myself to this pretty as a picture wrap skirt, LOVE!

the big boy keeps taking my hottie to bed so I bought him one of his own.. 

It's nice to have mine back, I have it on my knee as I sit and type..

You can visit Mandy's blog here, and her online store here.  Also keep an eye out for BOB & MABEL at some up and coming markets in the near future.  You'll love her work, her style..gorgeous!!

my creative space...soft

I've been going through my cotton stash with plans to start on something light and soft, getting the feel for Spring which is not far away now.  As much as I love winter, I'm feeling a bit drained from the cold and ready to feel warm sunshine on bare skin once again..

I've been feeling the need to crochet but not really feeling the inspiration, until I stumbled upon these soft cottons in my overflowing yarn case, and just made a start...

turns out it's a perfect knee rug, and feels so gorgeously silky and decadent draped around me.  A little chilly for this time of year, we still need those big robust woollies to curl up in for now, but later, perfect!

more creative spaces here...

lately...

we've been baking bread, discovering allergies and trying very hard to feed our family well with unprocessed,  homegrown, delicious food. It's the most satisfying feeling as a parent, knowing that you are providing your family with the good stuff.  Once we get to the bottom of the allergy issue it'll be much easier, but it sure is nice to see our little people enjoying everything we're making and not feeling at all like they are missing out on all the yummy stuff..

we've been spending time... 

just hanging about... 

we've been celebrating a never ending birthday...still! 

we've been visiting nan & pop's, a favourite place on earth... 

sewing heat bags with nan to keep us cosy on these cold winter nights... 

we've been climbing trees (always climbing trees)... 

and building bonfires with uncles, sharing stories, dreams and plans for the future..

what have you been up to lately?

eight...

eight years ago this beautiful soul came bouncing into our world.  A bundle of joy, absolutely!  

Eight years ago today this little man was born, all cruisey and knowing.  He timed it perfectly, we were the only people in the labor ward, can you believe that!? We had four midwives sitting at the reception desk, chatting, drinking tea, knitting, popping in every now and then to see how mama was doing and offering dad a cuppa.  A doctor at the ready, wandering with time on his hands.  Honestly, it was the most surreal night, like everything had come to a stand still, just to be ready and waiting to welcome this little person into the world.  

Sure the memory of the excruciating pain that is giving birth is all a little bit faded now, but this was the calmest birth I've had, all the stars were aligned and I lived every moment, feeling completely in control and ready, ready when he was.  The midwives were settling in for the night waiting for it all to crank up a notch, saying we've a while to go yet and suggesting I get some sleep in preparation for a long evening ahead.  But no.  The intensity all ramped up very quickly and within 4hours of labor starting at home, he was born.  He breezed into this world just as he breezes through life.

I know he'll be like this always.  He doesn't stress too much about things, he goes with the flow.  He is incredibly sensitive and loves so very deeply.  He is wacky funny and so on the ball.  His days are full of adventure, imagination and fun, forever fun!

You are beautiful beyond words my darling little dark haired boy.  You amaze me everyday and I love you with all that I am.

the week that was..

Winter is well and truly here.  I love this season, I can't help it!

I know it's freezing cold and when it rains endlessly, which it has, and the yard is a swamp and your finger tips seem to be forever icy, it can be a bit depressing and restricting at times..  

I do my best, however, to embrace this season for all it's misty fog, early morning frost underfoot, and the opportunity to rug up in winter warmers.  That's my favourite bit, dressing up for winter. I put more effort into my 'outfits' this time of year, even if I'm just hanging about at home.  It makes me feel good.  I love everything about winter fashion! 

 I love stopping at local cafes in the poring rain, sitting on cosy chairs and drinking hot coffee..

notes from my big boy (nothing to do with winter, just a sweet sentiment that warmed my heart).. 

watching wild waves crash in and feeling the bitter cold mist across my face.. 

 these two little fella's, best mates, winter doesn't hold them back from everyday adventure..

celebrations of the best kind, a dear friends' 40th birthday...

there she is, lighting the zillions of candles before guests arrive. Her party theme was 'where glamour meets the bush' held in this amazing venue all rustic and glamorous, surrounded by candles, chandeliers tin and timber. Magnificent!  

where my gorgeous man cooked up a stunning feast, with me his trusty assisitant..

It was the perfect end to a crazy hectic week..

enjoying the 'now'..guilt free at that!

We've a lot going on at the moment.  Lots of things to plan, decisions to make, big changes for our little family are underway.  When the time comes things are going to ramp up a whole lot, and at least initially, there won't be so much time to just 'be'.  So for now, I'm going to make the most of the calm before the storm, I'm taking things just a bit easier, and being particularly 'kind' to myself..

Everyday, I get busy, get everything sorted and in order around here, washing up to date, after school snacks and dinner prepared, house tidied, bags packed for swimming, basketball or whatever activity awaits us for the afternoon.

After all that, and before school pick up time, the day is mine.  I am taking myself out, going for walks, the occasional treat at favourite places, pottering, crocheting, I even managed a nana nap yesterday!  I'm doing this, finally after all this time, guilt free.  Isn't that astounding! Guilt free, I suppose, because I know what lies ahead, so I'm telling myself I deserve this time and one day it'll be a distant foggy memory that I want to be sure I thoroughly enjoyed.

One thing taking up the majority of this time is the re-kindled, and mildly obsessive love of take pictures. Photography has always been a joy, and blogging has been a great excuse to get camera happy again over the years.  I'm loving taking pictures of random moments, and really noticing what surrounds me.  To be honest, I frantically get all the necessary chores of the day done as quickly as possible so I can just get out there to wander, and explore!  There's not a day goes by that I don't take pictures.  There is something so incredibly satisfying about it at the end of the day, a sense of achievement and complete fulfillment.

thank you..

Open Studio was a great success, what a buzz! 

Thanks so much to all the lovely people who popped in to say hi, to all my wonderful customers, sweet friends who stopped by to offer support, and blogging friends for never failing to pump me up and encourage me always!

It was a great day, despite the constant rain, and I'm most certain I'll be doing it again sometime soon.. 

open..

When I decided it was high time I had myself an Open Studio, I'm certain I didn't anticipate the the flood that would wash through my workroom/garage/storefront, the sewing machine breakdown, the discontinuation of a favourite yarn, or bitterly cold weather, though given it's winter that was really just being a bit vague..

but the show must go on, and it will!!

Eventually I hope to fit out the space more permanently (and flood proof) but for now, it may not look quite as pretty as I'd hoped, it may not be quite the ambient setting I was hoping to create, but there will be plenty of beautifully handmade pieces made by me and even just a few pre-loved furnishings to be had!  

So if you're feeling like a drive down to the coast this long weekend, rug up and pop in say 'HI!' 

Door opens Saturday only, as our boys are off to have adventures at Nan & Pop's, so the rest of the weekend is ours to wine, dine, coffee, breakfast and indulge in whatever whim we so desire..