red current

Whip Up Mini Quilts

2010-03-25T23:28:00.004+11:00

Yay - my book has finally been released - check it out on Amazon! So excited. The month of April is Mini Quilt month in honour of my book - so check in there for lots of quilty action.

Renovations and DIY

2008-05-10T13:48:00.002+10:00

We are renovating - check out our progress over here

We have a story in the current issue of CRAFTzine - thats my adorable and cheeky boy featured with his new bow and arrow - its a great father son weekend project - check it out over here

fun with photos

2007-04-01T08:53:00.000+10:00

another fun tool I found via spc is museumr
which is how the above photo was made.

I am also enjoying checking out photojojo and etc - great sites with lots of good photography and design tools. A great online photo editing tool found via photojojo is Picnik -

for today however - we are making Irish Stew, going to round up the chooks before they dig holes all over the garden, and go and do the never ending grocery shopping. The kids are raiding the craft box and are thinking about inviting a friend over later. They were quite inventive and co-operated this morning by making themselves breakfast in bed.

cool tools

2007-03-18T10:49:00.000+11:00

getting into the online tools theme over at SPC, love the flickr tools, which is how this image was put together. of course you can do this with any image editing tool, however using the flickr tools makes it easier - I also enjoy the randomness of the cropping of the images.

fishing

2007-03-12T22:54:00.000+11:00

The kids were so excited to catch their first fish. Rob is a fishing nut. I don't know what he sees in it (and I am sure he feels the same about some of my hobbies too) but it is relaxing lying under the trees while the kids hook a fish and leave me to my book.

cool means...

2007-03-08T21:02:00.000+11:00

in our house looking cool means jutting out jaw and looking out the corners of your eyes while flexing your muscles and standing in an awkward pose.

boys bag

2007-03-05T16:02:00.000+11:00

Image: boys bag for a birthday present. I am sick of the pressure of birthday parties, the giving of bits of plastic crappy toys that are broken or lost very quickly. I have made a vow to make something for the kids friends birthdays from now on. Mostly this is a bag of some sort with a book or drawing supplies inside. These bags are nothing special, very simply made but I like them and so do my kids so hopefully others will too after the initial shock of a handmade present.

Mosaic pavers

2007-03-04T09:52:00.000+11:00

Image: Mosaic pavers the kids and I made for the garden. Lots of fun this project, easy but not exactly stress free.

To make mosaic pavers you will need:
1. paving stones (we used old ones which we cleaned)
2. outdoor tile glue/adhesive which comes either already premixed or as a powder that you mix with water to a thick porridge consistency.
3. tiles or pebbles (we used a combination of tiles which we smashed up, glass mosaic squares which are expensive but beautiful, glass pebbles that are really cheap - you buy these from the pet or garden section of the hardware store - they are often used in ponds or fish tanks, and river stones in various hues which are relatively cheap and quite lovely).
4. grout suitable for outdoors, these come in all sorts of colours, we used a creamy colour which we had leftover from another project, but when the kids did this at school they used a dark grey which looked fantastic.
5. various tools such as a spatula and sponge

skateboarding boy

2007-03-02T17:59:00.000+11:00

I love this photo (in fact the several hundred I took that day) but this one especially says it all. Orlando is learning to skateboard and is obsessed with practicing.

I have just this second had word from Amy, one of the contributors at SPC, her house was destroyed by a Tornado today. ... thoughts going out to Amy and her family.

rains hit Canberra

2007-02-28T12:13:00.000+11:00

The Australian National University, where I work is closed today due to the floods and hail and electrical damage. Lots of damage over there. The music school was flooded and the pianos are all damaged. One of the biggest libraries with a rare collection of books has been flooded. The art school where our office is located has also been hit badly, the gallery and various workshops with sensitive equipment have all been flooded and our office is also flooded with computers, paper work etc all at the mercy of the water. And its raining still.

While I am discussing local issues: the David Hicks case runs hot and cold : And Yay Maxine McKew enters politics.

Not just another tattered old book

2007-02-23T22:38:00.000+11:00

Image: there is something about this book, this image that I can't get enough of. The colour is soft yet intense. The texture is so real, it leaps out, I can almost feel the roughness of the ragged edges on that linen cover and the fragility of the aged and yellowed pages. What is this book. I is old and well loved and used often - that is clear. ... A recipe book. My mother-in-laws. Full of Latvian recipes scribbled down in the years before her mother died. Capturing some of the history soon to be lost as family history often is with the passing of the generations. We have tested a few of the recipes in this book and they are all wonderful, with marvelous memories attached to them. Rob has memories of various Latvian dishes from his childhood, from the small Latvian community in Tasmania and from his beloved Granny. ... All of this inside this tattered old book.

swimming pool antics

2007-02-19T18:46:00.000+11:00

Image: Orlando doing his pre-swim lesson stretches. He does a series of yoga poses, tai-chi moves as well as star jumps and push ups. Not sure where he gets all the moves from but it keeps him occupied while he waits.

Still at work at 7pm, Rob is cooking steak for dinner. I have this weird sensation of missing the kids, but what I am missing is the fantasy of loving children, freshly bathed and waiting quietly for a bedtime story. The reality is that they are probably running madly around the house, being naughty and fighting with each other one minute and backing each other up against 'the system' the next.

Sunday roast dinner

2007-02-18T17:44:00.000+11:00

Image: kids today at grandparents house

Sunday roast chicken and baked potatoes for dinner. The best part is that Rob is cooking. Some rain today - hooray! More mosaics - this time I got a chance to do a whole design all by myself. Nothing brilliant though - just experimentation. In about 2 mins I will be partaking in a gin and tonic, watching the rain on the deck and listening to Rob play the didgeridoo. ... There is something so wonderful about roasted rosemary and garlic potatoes.

Good things in blog land:
Me at TreeHugger
Yarn storm - a book
refashioned crafty apron

pea soup's flowers
knitting iris' knitted babes
the beach

mosaic weekend

2007-02-17T15:11:00.000+11:00

The weekend for me is always a little fraught. I am often torn between my need to feed my creative spirit and the kids need to feed off me. Today a good compromise. Rob went to work (Saturday I know!), and the kids and I went to the hardware store to buy mosaic materials. We got stuck in straight away and collaborated on several paving stones for the garden, we used a combination of colourful kitchen tiles which we smashed with a hammer, some lovely delicate glass squares, some fun glass wishing stones as well as beautiful smooth black and white river pebbles. Quite the combination!

Good things in blogland:
Shay Alkalay
goodbye kiddley and loobylu (will miss ya but totally get it)
52 projects

3191
ana voog
oh joy

Mosaic links:
mosaic stepping stone
mosaic tile guide
mosaic madness
using beach shards in mosaic

oh kids eh!

2007-02-15T09:44:00.000+11:00

Otilija wearing a tie dyed top that she designed and I helped with the hot water dye, and one of my patchwork skirts that she seems to love so much.

Lately weekends seem so unsatisfying. After all the cleaning, shopping and cooking is done and weekend sports (swim lessons and tai chi) are fitted in well doesn't seem to be much time for anything else. The garden is suffering, only crafting that involves kids is do-able, and reading a book seems impossible. Working full time is tricky stuff. I envy those creative home schooling mums who seem able to do it all...

But good things include how energising the kids wonderful small community school is, continuing with my online community brings me so many ideas and inspirations. And despite everything at work, I do somehow enjoy it ... at least it is satisfying and rewarding.

Good things in blog land

crochet anarchist
managing spam with akismet
the art of the snooze

path to freedom blog
treats and treasures blog
ball-saal blog

its been a long time...

2007-02-14T12:41:00.000+11:00

I make no promises

but things will be simpler as all new beginnings should be...

Image is from an exhibition I was part of last year.

Good things in blogland:

Design your life blog
Irish craft worker
moda muse

these dishes
futility pole
vegetable love
felt mobile

redcurrent is taking a break

2006-04-22T08:21:00.000+10:00

I can't keep up the pace
you can find me at my daily image and projects occasionally.
... and my other projects whipup and self portrait

that old junk

2006-04-16T18:43:00.000+10:00

a favourite activity of the kids is to get my old teenage jewellery out and sort through, trying everything on and deciding who will get what when they are grownups. Orlando pretty much misses out on everything, but he is happy to be receiving the chunky rings and chunky chains, and unusual leather stone pendants, while Otilija has bagsed (is that a word?) the mulititude of 80's dangly earings and fine silver bracelets. I knew I kept all that old junk for a reason.

self portrait challenge - a new generation

2006-04-15T19:25:00.000+10:00

self portrait challenge - launch date for the new and hopefully better - at least easier to manage self portrait tuesday site. please check it out and spread the word.

Cut and paste the button code into your side bar, or download the image and link back to us.

Large button
<a href="http://selfportraitchallenge.net/">
<img src="http://static.flickr.com/54/126237238_87b2246d16_m.jpg" alt="selfportraitchallenge" /></a>

Small button
<a href="http://selfportraitchallenge.net/">
<img src="http://static.flickr.com/54/126237238_87b2246d16_t.jpg" alt="selfportraitchallenge" /></a>

Button design and header design by Jan at poppytalk to get your own button designed or download a freebie, check out her blog button design site.

the artist himself

2006-04-13T20:27:00.000+10:00

Orlando is more of a performance artist and abstract design artist.

whiplash has begun

2006-04-12T22:39:00.000+10:00

get a badge

jan at poppy talk made these for me - are they not very cool - lots more to choose from too

kids crafts

2006-04-10T16:05:00.000+10:00

Peg dolls are really so much fun - I posted a list of peg doll ideas a while ago and every now and again am re-inspired to get them out and have some fun.

The kids made these peg dolls to send to a pen pal in Canada. The pen pal is a fellow blogger who has a teen daughter and friend who wanted to write to someone in a different country. Otilija was so excited to receive the postcard and to send off something in return. I am thinking that I would love to find a pen pal closer to her age. Is there anyone with a 6-7 year old daughter who would like to write and swap small envelopes of whatever 6 year old girls are into. Send me an email and we can discuss.

back yard ephemera

2006-04-04T07:51:00.000+10:00

Bits and pieces like this appear all over our backyard, pots and metal cups and wooden spoons mysteriously find their way littered around. They are used in the sandpit, they contain the remains of mud pies. They are filled with grass and sand and weeds to feed the birds, the latest thing is to make poisonous concoctions of mud and weeds and stones and wee (yes you heard right) and these are left for the baddies to find and drink and then ... who knows I don't think anyone thinks that far ahead. Although the latest baddies are the Indian Myna birds - horrible scavenger birds that kill the native birds - we found a dead one the other day and kids congratulated themselves on a job well done and were re-invigerated to make another batch.

otties drawings

2006-04-03T14:14:00.000+10:00

Otilija has been doing the most amazing drawings of girls lately. She is experimenting with her style. I love these with the big head and love heart lips. The different hair styles and noses and rosy cheeks. This first one just kills me with the rainbow skirt and loveheart shirt and those adorable eyes.

This one is interesting, I think, for the hair, she is trying for more realistic hair that falls all around. And aren't those red boots just crazy?

And this one - simple yet profound!

cool new buttons

2006-04-02T19:45:00.000+10:00

This button you see was designed by jan at poppy talk - she has a great new site where she will design one for your blog or site or whatever, and as well as that she has freebies to download.
LOVE IT

neglected

2006-03-27T21:31:00.000+11:00

This is not a post about how I have not written in this blog for a while.

Instead its about what I have been doing. Lots. I have joined the working mums crew - the career woman, which I never really considered - I never thought I would actually have a good job that interested me and stimulated me and was in an area that I liked. I always thought that being an artist and parent meant suffering and sacrifice. Well there is always suffering and sacrafice. Before I sacrificed money for being a stay at home mum, and suffered with occasional boredom - of course the benefits being many - not rushing everywhere, kids being nurtured, home cooked meals, crafts and hobbies, time with friends, time to blog, etc etc. Now being a 'working' mum, I am sacrificing time with kids, time to spare, I now spend saturdays doing the laundrey, shopping and cleaning instead of getting it done during the week and having the weekend to spend on craft or family or garden. Benefits - are - extra income, stimulating environment, kids are happy too.

mmmm its hard being a mother - what is your decision - work or not - career or not - how have you coped with this personally? Orlando says to me everyday "I don't see you so much any more mummy, I miss you when you work all the time"

crafts and life and new skills

2006-03-22T21:21:00.000+11:00

crafts and life and new skills

47. i mentioned a few quilts I have at various stages of incompleteness - I have many more quilt projects planned and want to try my hand at free style applique design as wel
48. socks - i am really keen to knit socks - my current obsession are these crochet/knit socks and the stripey cream and red socks are divine. - This involves learning to knit and crochet properly first.
49. I have been listening to podcasts recently - and had a brilliant idea to start podcasting myself - I have a million great ideas for this - but no time and no equipment and no skill - but when has that stopped me before eh?
50. join or start a book club
51. get that babysitting club that I read about on four sweetpeas started
52. do all this stuff on my list - not just write about - but actually DO IT and more

projects cont ... with kids

2006-03-20T16:45:00.000+11:00

projects that i have or are on the list to do with kids in mind

38. making these cool cards that you see in the picture - Ii asked Otilija's kindergarten class to each do a drawing or three on a piece of paper card size and then I scanned them and printed them.
39. the other type of cards that are pictured are fabric sewn cards - these are great fun and kids can help by either choosing fabric from the scrap pile, designing how the fabrics will sit on the cards, or sewing them on for slightly older kids.
40. lots of other card ideas for kids to make too - apart from drawing they can do collage, fabric, paper or nature collages, then there is water colours, paints, water crayons etc etc - I love doing a whole bunch for an occasion such as christmas - or just having a whole heap made up ready to give away during the year.
41. make up a batch of playdough - basic recipes for this available on the web - i did a tutorial on my projects page a while ago - basically the ingredients are oil, flour, salt, cream of tartar, water and food colouring.
42. cooking projects are great with kids - some things that I think are quite easy to make include basic cupcakes - kids love to mix but then icing them after is fun too, pancakes or pikelets is always for the kids to mix and then they love watching them and cook and eat them straight away, chocolate crackles or coconut delight are also really good and because they are no bake kids can almost do these without any help - chocolate brownies are always a winner.
43. making kids pants - is something I like to involve the kids with too - they choose the fabric of course and the trimmings, but now they are really into wanting to help sew as well - so they sit at the machine and press the foot pedal (set on slow mode) while I direct the fabric - they also really like to pin the fabric and snip the cotton threads.
44. we made peg dolls this weekend - using scraps of paper and lots of masking tape -
45. paper planes are really great fun - this is one of Rob and Orlando's favourite things to do - we even have an electronic paper plane launcher that we made from a kit, there are so many different variations on paper planes too, from the most basic one that you first learn to make to quite complex ones with folds and cuts in all sorts of places.
46. another cool thing to make with kids is paper snow flakes - I really love making these and the kids are learning how to make them too - another thing to make while you are doing these is the paper doll chains - what fun

projects cont...

2006-03-18T16:25:00.000+11:00

the next bunch are fun projects that I plan to do soon - some of them ideas from the book 52projects - which I am loving by the way - I don't want to give too much away so will just mention a couple of projects that have my piqued my interest.

32. write a letter to my 64 year old self - you know I remember doing this for a school project back when I was 12 or 13, I have no idea what happened to that letter then - so maybe it is time to write another.
33. record how old i feel - i like this one because it changes from day to day - some days I feel SO old and others not so old - and when I look in the mirror and see my hagard features and compare them to a photo of myself just 5 years ago I really feel it. I would like to record how old I feel so when I look back in 5 years time - I can have a good old laugh.
34. plan and research my perfect road trip - this is something that has been on my mind for a while and that I talk about with Rob quite a bit - we want to go away for a year - camp and homeschool around Aus.
35. write a letter to my loved ones to be given to them when I die - morbid or practical however you see it - I am putting this on my must do list.
36. make a list of all my projects and then start to do them
37. I loved this one - substitute my own made up fortunes into fortune cookies especially for specific people and hand them around at a party.

to be cont...

projects - ...

2006-03-17T19:46:00.000+11:00

the next bunch of projects are writing and art related

25. i started writing a childrens book a while ago and sent it to one publisher - rejection - i want to fix it up a bit and send it round to more agents and publishers etc
26. I have an exhbition planned for Oct - I am thinking about work for it - and need to do and plan
27. I have a lot of photos in boxes - i would really like to go through these and sort them - i even bought a couple of really lovely albums to put them in
28. I also have a lot of my photos as negatives and slides that have not prints attached to them - in the days I was processing and printing my own film - i never got around to printing everything - I would really like to scan all my negs - organise them and burn them to cd
29. a while ago i had a bit of a project where i sent a lot of images round to different image libraries, i was accepted by one and rejected by lots - but with lots of great criticism and ideas for re-submitting - which I never did - and always planned to - so I would like to re-submit images to more image libraries.
30. I have another book idea which I want to shop around to agents - but first i need to do research and write up the idea and research publishers and agents and all the rest. - really inspired by jeff yamaguchi - and am going to just get onto this.
31. i have tons - literally (almost literally anyway) tons of photos of the kids, gorgeous black and white ones - that I printed on lovely archival paper (real paper not plastic coated) - i would love to get some framed and make a photo wall - can you believe that I have no art work hung anywhere and no photos hung or framed - they are all in boxes and portfolios.

to be cont...

more projects

2006-03-16T17:01:00.000+11:00

haha you girls are great - you will notice that most of the these projects listed are currently on hiatus.

projects continued...

14. in spring I started to build a retaining wall in the front garden - but then summer came and christmas etc and it is only half finished - so that is a project I am looking forward to finishing when the weather cools a little
15. we have a plan to use up all the scrap wood in our back corner to make a really fantastic chook shed - I have been doing tons of research on chook plans etc - I need to translate my enthusiasm into skill or transfer it to the skilled one in wood and tools.
16. another garden project is the cubby house for the kids - have yet to decide if we will try to buy a second hand cubby or build one from recycled materials.
17. the mud oven is a past outdoor project which was really successful - we still haven't completely finished - it has no roof and we would like a bench next to the mud oven for food prep.
18. seeing as we are on the outdoor project topic and this is turning into more of a wish list than a project list - there is the paint the shed and bag the house project that is really on the list.
19. and way in the future after the extension is complete (there are million sub projects in that project too) the backyard will need to be re-landscaped - paving etc.
20. Autumn is coming and the twice yearly digging over the veggie garden and organising the compost etc is soon upon us.
21. garden edges were only half finished - there is still some garden left to edge - it really makes a difference, not just visually, but practically too - keeping the soil and water and mulch in the garden rather than spilling over all the time.
22. there are plants i want to change - a fig tree in the middle which was to be a feature never grew properly and suckered everywhere so i want to remove that and plant more native bushes and put in a proper drip watering system.
23. the sandpit is due for an overhaul - that might be one for this weekend even
24. along with the house extension I am really keen for a carport and covered storage area for bikes and wheelbarrows etc.

to be cont...

projects

2006-03-15T20:30:00.000+11:00

So Jeffrey at 52 projects sent me a few copies of his book for a promo soon to appear at whipup. I am loving the book so far and will review it when I finish. I also listened to a podcast or two (craftypod::craftsanity) about jeffrey and his book which were really interesting and I encourage you all to have a listen too.

anyway this post is about my projects - I have lots on the go at the moment, quite a few are on a break and they tend to go in rotation depending on moods
can I list 52 - I am about to have a good crack at it.

the redcurrent blog - ongoing continuous project, which I am soon to be revamping - a future project.
whipup blog - was a frenzy to get going and now I am calming down on it while the other authors are posting more, but there are lots of things I have in the works still over there, like new authors joining and a promo and competition coming up.
self portrait tuesday - which is growing like crazy - more than I ever imagined - I am currently secretly developing a new site for it and that is going to be unveiled very soon.
baby chicks in the house - this project looking after them will last a few more weeks before we release them to the coop
house extension project - this is currently on a short break while I think about it some more
handyhome projects blog - rob is going to be taking this over soon and making it more active
handmade clothes - the markets each weekend thing is finished but I am still planning on selling on ebay.
garden project - lots more to do out there - if only it would rain and the plants not die
the fence - this is a major issue which i need to sort with neighbours
unfinished business quilt
quilt commissioned by mother-in-law
quilt for orlando just needs quilting
sort out craft room - this is more a job than a project - but the project aspect is in the organisation of it

I will continue tomorrow

spt - time

2006-03-14T20:43:00.000+11:00

a little bit of this and a little bit of that

2006-03-13T16:34:00.000+11:00

My funny and cute but slightly naughty kids (they are not allowed to play on the car)

a great idea for compost - made out of packing wood

polished concrete floor in bathroom/shower

gum leaves wall hanging and quilt - isn't this exquisite - I didn't get the artists name however - it was on at CraftACT recently - does anybody know?

5 more things

I have a cold and have almost lost my voice
it is hot - or am I feverish?
I finally got the hang of downloading podcasts to my ipod
I have managed to gain control over the dirty washing
I don't have the faintest idea what I am going to make for dinner tonight

winner announced

2006-03-10T19:34:00.000+11:00

Thank you all for your so kind and wonderful comments - and thank you for commenting - I love knowing who reads and where people come from and by commenting it enables me to read your blog too - I can find you.

I really wish I could give about 49 skirts - alas the postage would kill me. But there will be 2 prizes. Something for a fellow Aussie and something for an international gal. So Steph, I love your blog, your images and family life inspire me - Pants for you - what size? please email me with size and postal address (see side bar for email) and dani, I love reading your life, so near yet so far, the skirt for your adorable niece - please email me with size and a postal address. ... Ok one more - heather, one for your gorgeous girl, because of your honesty in your blog. - email me with sizes and postal details etc.

For everyone else I want to give more away - so I may hold another competition soon. And because you are dedicated redcurrent readers - I will divulge here a huge comp coming up at whipup very soon sssh its still a secret over at whipup. And if you are really really keen on a skirt - I am going to set up somewhere to buy them at very reasonable prices really really soon.

Love you all - thank you again and sorry if you missed out because it was really hard to choose -

a quickie

2006-03-10T13:27:00.000+11:00

learning lots at my new job, really excited about it. Learning new programs and have a cleaner and babysitter and childcare

uh oh

2006-03-07T22:35:00.000+11:00

I completely forgot it was tuesday - no spt today - but I am loving what I am seeing so go and check them out.

And amazing comments - I am getting my husband to pick the winner - so must wait a few days while he reads the comments and decides - there might be more than one! Thank you for all your wonderfully yummy and ego boosting comments. Thank you.

busy working out my new routine, Orlando sick today - long day at child care and came home with a sore throat and headache and went to bed very early.
One of our baby chicks died on the weeken - after being stepped on and then lingering on for a couple of days with me feeding it and tending it carefully thinking and hoping it might recover. We buried it in the backyard - it was really quite sad, I didn't think I was that sentimental but I was really upset about it dying.
on better news - I seem to be quite organised re: housework and weekly routines, Rob is picking up his socks (literally and metaphorically) and we seem to be working as a team - I have been grinding my teeth at night though and consequently have quite a sore jaw - ouch!

sorry for sporadic posting - am trying to get my routine figured out and fitting everything in.

Instead of spt this week I give you these interesting links:
women2003
loretta lux
wish jar journal pms chart

giveaway - a competition

2006-03-05T20:19:00.000+11:00

The other day I was checking in on my stats and realised that I had hit the 200,000 visitors mark. That is over the last year and a half and its a big deal for me - considering that this little blog is erratic in its subject matter and sporadic with people commenting. I am always surprised when people comment at all - especially now that i am slack in replying - but I do visit peoples blogs who comment - I just don't always have time to comment back - I often add new people to my bloglines if their blog looks interesting and check in on them regularly.

Any way future for this blog - craft is happening less and less these days and it seems to be turning into a 'domestic' blog, which I don't mind - what do you think?

but todays post is to celebrate 200,000 visitors - so a competition to win the skirt pictured - or another one (its a little girls skirt size 2-4 wool with adjustable elastic waist) the winner can have this skirt or a different size if they need it (don't know any girls - I have pants too for boys). So competition ... thinking on my feet here - just leave a comment with who you are and why you visit this blog and I will choose my favourite response. don't forget to leave a way for me to contact you.

ooops spt

2006-02-28T18:08:00.000+11:00

I didn't realise it was tuesday - so two posts today - this is a tad scary no?

not much craftin been going on here

2006-02-28T17:42:00.000+11:00

I have been reading about crafting on blogs and surfing various art/crafters websites and looking at books and magazines and getting all kinds of crazy inspirational surges and urges towards doing something. But then I step inside my crafting room and groan. It is covered head to foot in piles of stuff - I started clearing out fabrics to get rid of - that are clogging up my valueable space - and now they just sit there, waiting for me to wash them and sort them and decide what to do with them. Then there is bags of sheepskin pieces which my mother (mistakenly) thought and thinks I might want to do something with. Not to mention the bags of denim and leather pieces I am supposed to make some sort of patchwork bag with (not very interesting pieces either just blue and black - not inspiring me in the least). Then there is the bags of old sheets and towels that my husband cleared out the linen cupboard and are waiting for me to decide what to do with. Did I mention I was given a huge box of old fabrics that are sitting in the doorway looking at me, and a huge sheepskin rug that is waiting for me to take for its annual clean to a cleaner with a big enough washing machine. So I take a look around my craft space and then must just walk right out again - my motivation and inspiration doesn't extend to cleaning up first.

So instead I am working on craft related if not actual hands on craft. I am loving writing for whip up and am slightly obsessed by following links and discovering exciting new things. I was obsessed by the contemporary embroidery for a while - now though I have discovered some fabulous jewellery - so watch out for future posts on that.

Also I have my husband and brother and myself diligently working on getting a new website for spt up and running. Very excited about this - lots of automated features and community hub with a forum and members section etc. So keep you eyes open for this in the next few weeks.

Of course I mentioned a new job I am starting soon (uhoh its tomorrow) with a monthly art journal as design manager. Very excited by this - so all this other activity with calm down naturally. The down side is that kids will be in more day care than I am completely comfortable with - but what can you do? what are the alternatives?

What did you do on the weekend?

2006-02-27T11:12:00.000+11:00

Weekend: - 5 things

rob baked sunflower seed bread with half organic wheat flour and half spelt flour. It was delicious.
we got 5 new baby chicks from the chook exhibit at the show - we have put them under our broody hen - she brought up the last lot of babies very well - but this time she is a reluctant mother - she is thinking about rejecting them - and then we will have to hand raise them - any advice on this anyone - how to get a broody hen to take the new baby chicks?
we went to the show on the weekend and the kids 5 favourite things were: 1. visiting the cows, 2. visiting the farmyard animal display (Otilija was asked to be in a promotional photo shoot), 3. buying the baby chicks and 4. having a pony ride and 5. getting a show bag at the end (i was really shocked at how expensive and crappy show bags are - but the kids were pretty happy even with their most basic one)
we finally got around to cleaning some rubbish up from around the backyard and took a trailer load to the tip (I really had to put some pressure on rob to do this though)
very excited about starting a new job next week - Magazine design - so now life gets more hectic than ever - spent some time on the weekend going on the job details and doing some learning of a new program.

Now I want to know what you did on the weekend - 1 thing or 5.

a shameless plug

2006-02-26T16:58:00.000+11:00

For my talented friend Amanda- her work is pictured below. She is a ceramic sculpture artist who makes non-functional porcelain pieces slipcast from inflatable forms. This work is from a current exhibition at craftACT. Some of her work is available through the hive.

These are a couple of pieces I have at home - from my 'corner'.

some inspiration

2006-02-24T08:53:00.000+11:00

I am breaking my own rules and not bothering with images. I can't find any to suit my state of mind. (and dani - I KNOW only feb. n e e d t o g o t o g y m.)

instead I leave you with some interesting links - which have made me smile - hope they inspire you too.

suds and soda :: catherine chalmers :: hel looks :: scribbling woman on domestic blogs ::

a book: jeanette winterson - lighthousekeeping - i loved this - what have you read lately? any good book recommendations?

things are getting hectic around here

2006-02-23T21:55:00.000+11:00

the pace is fast
the kids are frantic
life
cooking dinner is too hard
is there any clean clothes
whats for dinner

s l o w d o w n
be calm-er
enjoy

be me

corners of my home

2006-02-22T10:34:00.000+11:00

I realise I am a bit late on the bandwagon with the corners of home thingy but here are some of mine - and here are some other peoples.

And another one I am a bit late on - a meme:

Four Jobs I've Had
granny nanny - live in carer for the elderly - in the UK
short order cook - for greasy lunch time takeaway - burgers and deep fried everything
door to door sales - in brisbane - this one lasted 1 day - I just couldn't hack it
breakfast room service - in swanky hotel starting at 5am

Four Places I've Lived
Beijing, China (1 year) :: Darwin, NT Australia (6 months) :: London, UK (on and off for 2 years) :: Port Douglas, QLD Australia (6 months)

Four Places I've Vacationed
India (back packing and doing it rough) :: Poland (back packing and doing it cheap) :: Tibet (back packing again - but with my brother this time) :: Adelaide (car camping - much better)

Four of My Favorite Dishes
filet steak - rare (I can't go past this on a restaurant menu)
risotto (no-one else is a fan so I don't make it anymore)
garlic and tomato soup with lots of olive oil (robs specialty)
spicy italian sausage pasta

Four Sites I Visit Daily
Bloglines :: treehugger :: technorati :: Whip Up

Well that is a shortened version of the meme - I couldn't think of honest answers to some of the q's.

On a different topic - sort of - Did anyone (aussies only) watch dancing with the stars last night - I hate to admit that I did watch it - somehow it is compelling - I will be watching again though - my cousin in one of the competitors this time round - can you guess who - a clue - he's not a professional dancer.

self portrait challenge - all of me #2

2006-02-21T10:22:00.000+11:00

here i am aaagh!!!

wrinkles and cracked lips, cut on my nose - bumby nose from when it was broken as a child, motherhood freckles and blotches that never went away - weathered skin - did you notice the double chin and the deep dark bags under my eyes? - well this is me I guess. What are you doing for this months 'all of me' challenge? check out spt for some very amazing and brave people.

fresh floor

2006-02-20T09:46:00.000+11:00

Painted the floor on the weekend. The kids enjoyed the process and loved having some space for dancing while the furniture was packed away.

more info on the new floor here

dancing up a storm

2006-02-19T07:09:00.000+11:00

Nikki might recognise the fabric in Otilija's pants (from a swap awhile ago). I made the kids a few pairs of light cotton pants that are worn for pyjamas, for lounging, for outings, for everywhere. Otilija won't wear shorts so these elastic waisted 3/4 pants are perfect and cool for this hot summer we are having. As for Orlando he wears his for pj's and since he still wets the bed occasionally it is handy having an extra supply of pants.

Speaking of swaps - afternoon tea arrived from Belinda at Taylor street. Having failed to take any pics I give you the pics Al took of her rich chocolate chip biscuits. mmmm Yummy!

We re-painted our floor yesterday, which was a bit of an endeavour, but looks fantastic. These pics are the before - tomorrow I will post the after.

excitement at our place

2006-02-17T18:11:00.000+11:00

the tooth fairy will be visiting

nature collage

2006-02-16T07:41:00.000+11:00

My kids love to do craft, love making collage, love anything that involves glue and lots of it.

Glue. I buy it and then buy more of it, the lid gets left off, we use it all up, we never seem to have any when we want it. So I decided to go with the nature collage we would make natural glue. That jar of creamy goo you see in the picture is homemade glue and keeps for a week or two in the fridge. That bark there is paper bark, and flakes off into paper thin slivers of bark, so wonderful for projects like this.

Of course there is a hell of a mess when complete. But look at the wonderful art that came out of it too.

recipe for homemade glue:
use a 3:1 ratio of flour and sugar, mix into a paste with cold water, and then double the amount of water to flour. stir over heat until it thickens, add a teaspoon of white vinegar.

self portrait challenge - all of me

2006-02-14T10:55:00.000+11:00

ooooh yukky toes. Mozzy bites, torn nails, sunburnt, dirty, crusty, dead skin, hairy, flakey skin.
These summer toes are in serious need of some loving care. But this is not the end of it. These toes were born oddly shaped. My mother even tried splinting and plastering these toes into a nice straight shape when I was young. Alas my wide feet and ungainly toes would not budge from their natural born state.

RED RED RED

2006-02-13T12:22:00.000+11:00

did you know i love red
red clothes, red walls, red fabric.

exceptions are red flowers and red lipstick - they are almost too too much

second hand skirt

2006-02-12T08:00:00.000+11:00

This fabric is a skirt. A girls skirt. A second hand skirt. A handmade second hand girls skirt. I think it might have been a pillow case before that. It is gathered at the top and has ruffles at the bottom, it ends below the knees. It is light and summery. It is loved. Its owner runs free in this skirt, plays in mud and climbs trees and swings upside down. This is a good skirt.

poster walls

2006-02-10T17:44:00.000+11:00

I love these sorts of walls, in cafes, rest rooms, community centres. I love scanning them for local events and classes and entertainment, I love reading the classifieds and lost pets posters. I love reading about what classes and which comedians are on. I always grab the free postcards and brochures thinking that I will definitely go to that rally or join this yoga group or go to this other cool jazz band - I never do go, I always lose the postcards or add them to the kids craft box. But still next time I go I am inspired anew.

girls drawing time

2006-02-09T11:28:00.000+11:00

I loved Amanda post at whip up about family drawing time. And felt I needed to reinstate this as a regular thing. I suppose we stopped doing it for a while as the kids were interested in other things and Orlando is often a big distraction for Otilija. So I decided to do a regular girls drawing time as part of our girls afternoon once a week.

noticing the cracks in the pavement

2006-02-08T18:25:00.000+11:00

taking up betsy's challenge for whip up readers

today had some girl time with Otilija, first week back at school after the summer and I have a new resolution to spend more time with her. We walked and noticed things, and chatted, and talked, we talked about rainbows and giants, and leaves and writing letters.

What colour are leaves? are they always green?
What do colour do giants think leaves are?
Can giants see people? if they step on them they aren't really bad are they?
giants might think leaves are rainbow coloured.
who do you write letters to?
can you write letters to anyone? how to they get there?

Endless curiousity.
I love it.

self portrait tuesday - 'all of me"

2006-02-07T11:22:00.000+11:00

Oh my God! who thought of this challenge. Any way here goes.

Beware - gruesome bloody pictures to follow

What could be more all of me than when giving birth. No inhibitions in this room, spread those legs, probing hands and intruments.
Pain, searing pain, shooting up and back again.
Tearing
Blood
crying
relief, exhaustion, excitement, content
This is all of me.

dark chocolate and red wine

2006-02-06T15:51:00.000+11:00

This is my favourite combination of colours.
I feel warm and safe just looking at these two colour together.
Dark chocolate and red wine
but also a bold curry and cinnamon
chocolate hitting your tongue
brown velvet and ruby red corduroy
burning wood, glowing coals

its fun and hot and safe and rich and bold

pink and blue

2006-02-05T12:56:00.001+11:00

skin and ice
hot and cold

the colours of opposites
extremes
life
light
the sky
sunset

green - soothing

2006-02-04T17:10:00.000+11:00

grass
bushland
water and mountain
green tea
apples
leaves and moss
basil and olives
sage and parsely
cucumber and avocado

looking at green instantly soothes your eyes
green is a transitional colour
it enables you to get a calm state of being
to appreciate everything else first spend time with green

orange - sunshine

2006-02-03T11:44:00.000+11:00

Sunshine
farm fresh eggs
movement and light
rockmelon
carrots and oranges
fresh crusty bread
delicious and warm and energising
lively and fun and rich

pink and red and blue

2006-02-02T18:20:00.000+11:00

Following on from yesterdays post - I thought I would revisit some old images and think about colour.

There are a number of reasons I love these images - the children are, of course, delightful and gorgeous and serene. The setting is so peaceful. But most of all the colour is entrancing, enveloping, enticing. So reminiscent of bright beach days, hours spent fishing or hunting for shells, sitting with dad, feeling safe, playing in the mud, losing shoes and hats, waiting watching dreaming.

The candy pink and the soft pink, immediately catches your eye and clashes wonderfully with the red, and blends so soothingly with the blue. The creamy pink and gold of the childrens skin and the straw green of the grass combines everything together.

its all about colour for me

2006-02-01T13:06:00.000+11:00

I love colour, then pattern, then texture, then design. In that order I think - although the last 4 change about - its all about colour for me.

Red wine with chocolate and cream
smoky blue with stormy grey
fire red with eggplant purple
cucumber and avocado and sage green
milky mint milkshake
so many different combinations
I love white in alls its manifestations - warm linen white, icy blue white, stony grey white. White adds to the intensity of colour, frames it, enhances it.

And speaking of colour and design and all things crafty - whip up is up and running, lots of great posts to kick it off.
Camilla talks about her love of paper, Nicole has a great post on felting, lisa is doing a monthly column on fabrics and design and making - starting off with a great post on thrifting, mav is doing a monthly column on paper arts and inspiration her first post in on vintage ephemera, and lots of other posts to keep you busy.

Don't forget - email your story ideas or link suggestions to the email on whip up. have fun, enjoy reading and let me know what you think -

secret project revealed

2006-01-30T10:49:00.000+11:00

Am very excited by this new project - go and check it out
grab a badge and spread the word

What did you whip up today?

sunday lazy sunday

2006-01-29T10:13:00.000+11:00

first - above picture - rolling eyes, handmade mexican tiles, small kitchen

last night: Otilija had a friend to sleep over, but at 9.30pm we had to take her home because Otilija started be mean to her - not sure why.
today: now - not so hot - watching 'my neighbour totoro' for the second time - the kids love LOVE it, if you can get it then do DO. We saw it dubbed in English in Hobart, and now we are watching it in Japanese on DVD, which the kids don't seem to mind.
Later: pool.

next: things I have love this week -
yarnstorm: jelly bean knitted pillows
corners of my house on flickr - no photos of my own but loving others
loobylu's art dilemma post and the cartoon - very good
self portrait tuesday - new contributors on the blog and lots of new people joining - the entries are so wonderfully rich and personal.
hanks tiny sweater at naive knitting
mav's links, pics and lists
afternoon tea from redfeltflower - thank you
gorgeous baby and gorgeous bonnets by nikki
jenny - her every post inspires me
poppytalks design finds - love swoon
monster crochet's crab - the colour - yes
i love how iris matches her knitting to her environment
i keep going back to keri
m patrizio - this is great
i am digging posie gets cozy
photobooth friday
would i look good in this dress - no - but isn't it wonderful
pink pasta - oh yes
sooz window

peasant blouses are talking to me

2006-01-28T21:01:00.000+11:00

This one with the raglan sleeves and gathered neck is lovely.

I am quite liking this farm girl version.

This fabric is so wonderful, who cares about the pattern.

This is cute, but not sure about the puffed sleeves.

cute mother and daughter outfits, the puffed sleeves on mama don't do it for me, but are adorable on the little one.

There is something about these two dresses I love, is the red, the pattern, the neckline maybe or those buttons.

mmmm not sure about this, too much puff, too much pink, too many gathers.

that dress fabric is cool, and those thighs! but what is going on here?

another mother and daughter outfit - love this I would wear it - in fact I might make this one.
Which one would you wear?

even the chooks are breathing fire

2006-01-27T16:43:00.000+11:00

I know - stop complaining about the heat.

been to the pool. Orlando is asleep in a pool of sweat. going to the pub.

update - bedtime: otilija has heat stroke - vomited and went to bed.

obsessing over house plans

2006-01-26T12:57:00.000+11:00

More on the house - have spent the morning web browsing house plans - there are an awful lot out there - trying to narrow my wants and needs and define my desires - how can you do that?

Mud room - which is a utility room - the back door where you shed your muddy boots, your coat, etc. This is often combined with the laundry and storage area.
sunroom leading onto the patio. sunroom will also be eating room, and have a reading nook too
kitchen - country style kitchen (with a contemporary look) - will keep with the wood theme but add more white to break it up - with breakfast bar and walk in pantry
a fourth bedroom/studio/craft room - the children are growing and soon I may have to give up my craft room for one of them.

I had a brilliant idea to make our own kitchen bench tops out of concrete - but this idea was squashed by Rob (who would be doing the work), he thinks I am getting away from myself - I need to be more practical mmm...

But anyway ...

oh and those who asked about the exhibition - its not till Oct - will let you know

keeping busy

2006-01-25T10:30:00.000+11:00

because its school hols

The weather has cooled a bit - so I am feeling a little saner.

Today - an outing with friends. Right now the kids are picking flowers and chasing chooks.

A list: to do this year:

start selling on ebay - Orlando is in pre-pre school 3 days so this should give me some time to make money at home.
extend house - research new kitchens and talk to an architect - am desperate for more space, storage, another bedroom - move the kitchen, a sunroom, a walk in closet, a mudroom, a proper pantry, an organised laundry.
save garden from certain death - the summer has been hard on the garden and my being away has meant a few plants have died, needs to be carefully tended for a while.
keep house clean more often - a cleaner has certainly helped - but organising and tidying is another matter.
eat healthy food and go to the gym regularly - this is a must do - I let this slip over the past 3 months, but now I am starting again - next week.
spend more quality one on one time with children - Orlando already has lots of this but Otilija seems to miss out - need to remedy this - and have scheduled it in - very important.
frame some art and hang it on walls - can you believe I have bare walls -
have exhibition - have booked it in - now just need to get to work.

have just re-read list and realised that nearly everything on this list means spending money - which puts more importance on no.1

self portrait tuesday - personal history

2006-01-24T14:17:00.000+11:00

I am the product of these two people

moody miss

2006-01-24T09:30:00.000+11:00

yesterday in the heat - everyones tempers flaired. Otilija is moody at the best of times but after a sleep over (late to sleep and early to rise) and the heat all day, and a moody mother (me) as well, when it all turned to hell - I took them to the pool. On returning home Rob thought it might be a good idea to take them for a bike ride to the park (still 35degrees) and this pretty much sent Otilija boiling over - physically she was hot and bothered and her temper was out of this realm.

Its funny - well strange maybe not funny, when I am alone with her in that mood - we feed off each other and I end up losing my temper, but when Rob is around I can step back and not get so heated.

She has really perfected the rolling of the eyes and has the best flounce I have ever seen - and she sure knows how to slam a door. It is difficult not to laugh during a temper tantrum when she says things like "you are killing my butt" "you are bugging my guts out" "your voice is making me sick", not so funny when she says "you just want me to die" and "you don't even like me".

Anyway i loved this image that soule mama posted. - where is it from?

aaaah

2006-01-23T07:39:00.000+11:00

This is Orlando being baby sat at Rob's work. He landed here after realising how much trouble he was in when he locked the blokes out of the office and they had to go to extreme methods to break in - ooops!

Well I am home. It is HOT. Have spent the last couple of days at the pool. We are non airconditioned - so we need to be inventive, today the mall is looking good, or the movies, or the pool again, then there is Rob's airconditioned work with a DVD and bean bags mmmm...

While I was on holiday in Tas I didn't post on this blog as often as I usually do, which is OK, but I hope now that I am home that I will get back into the groove, bear with me please. But while I was away I have been working on a secret project - to be unveiled soon - so stay tuned. My other project - self portrait tuesday, has been going through some welcome changes too, and I have 5 new people on board helping out with weekly posting and bringing some fresh air, new voices and different opinions to self portrait tuesday. I also did a comprehensive tutorial on my projects page on making Latvian Piragi - a traditional bacon roll with the lightest pastry imaginable - truly melt in the mouth.

Thank you to my regular and new visitors for leaving comments and checking in on my holiday. I really do appreciate it. There was also some wonderful goodies came my way in the shape of afternoon tea. Cake, the moistest most delectable and cutest christmas cake ever from Nikki (great pic by nicole - I didn't get to take one) and some tasty chocolate biscotti from Di - thank you again girls. Also I still can't believe I ran in Kali at the salamanca markets in Hobart - freaky, she recognised me. And I saw michelle at the pool the other day - so hello girls.

dang

2006-01-22T19:30:00.000+11:00

computer died in the heat - so I leave you with this.

ferry ride

2006-01-18T21:07:00.000+11:00

home tomorrow

self portrait tuesday - personal history

2006-01-17T13:03:00.000+11:00

Layers of history of time of space of objects of people of life.

Am very excited by developments over at self portrait tuesday - new contributors on board - this will bring some different perspectives - go and check it out.

linen

2006-01-16T17:32:00.000+11:00

These images reflecting that I am feeling somewhat calmer. Seems the depression from the past week was PMT related - worsened by events.

gum leaves

2006-01-15T10:12:00.000+11:00

This is why I love Australian plants so much. This is a gum tree and is covered in these gorgeous flowers right now.

Feeling better. Did go to a movie last night. I saw 'look both ways' an Australian movie that is wonderful in so many ways - charactors, story, setting. I loved the view into many different lives that were changed by the one event. Went to the state cinema - a Hobart institution where they serve wine in wine glasses while you watch the movie - it has old fashioned comfy lounge style chairs and a great atmosphere.

little houses

2006-01-14T15:40:00.000+11:00

Some of the little houses that Rob's aunty makes - they are ceramic replicas of Tasmanian traditional styles.

4 more days till I return home. Rob says the weather there is sweltering, but nevertheless I am keen to get home. I think now that Rob is not here, I don't feel in the holiday mood - I don't want to be sightseeing or shopping or driving around, I actually would like to be doing creative things with the kids, sewing projects or cooking or craft activities - but I feel hampered by the order and organisation of others. I feel like I should fit it with everyone but instead I am just distancing myself. I am bringing down the mood - I need to take control. I am sure that Otilija is picking up on my moodiness and is reponding by being prickly in return. Another reason to get it together a bit. A movie by myself doesn't exactly appeal. mmm

in and around tas

2006-01-13T21:19:00.000+11:00

I am quite entranced by these figures that appear around Hobart.

Some art work from a recent exhibition at the Long Gallery at Salamanca. I was interested in these because they are about memory.

Berry picking.

The following two images are from Mt Wellington. I was and am interested in the contrast of nature and man made materials, I usually only photograph nature when it intervenes with human activity, but here I fell in love with these old doors - the doors to the observatory and the rugged subtle nature of the scrub plants around.

My good mood is deteriorating. I should have got out while the going was good. Without Rob here ... anyway I miss him - and the kids do too.

just relaxin'

2006-01-12T16:02:00.000+11:00

tiny bit stressed with rob gone home and me still here with the kids at the in-laws. but i am not really complaining - they are good - just i can't totally relax - there is a knot inside me - saying i want to go home now.

self portrait tuesday - personal history

2006-01-10T07:13:00.000+11:00

A bit of a timeline

me as a child with my brothers
me pregnant with my first child
me as mother of two little ones
me as family photographer - keeper of the memories

piragi and lizards

2006-01-08T20:21:00.000+11:00

took kids to beach - weather has improved

kids being silly

boat going past

blue tongue lizard kids found in driveway

piragi
making latvian piragi - see part 1 and 2
robs mum gave us a lesson

thank you nikki for wonderful afternoon tea
and i met kali in the market on saturday - what a surprise

mt wellington

2006-01-06T08:06:00.000+11:00

Check out that amazing view, you can see the whole of Hobart and surrounding bays and coves and hills. The kids were entranced by how high up they were and the landscape up there is stunning as well. Rocks and native groundcovers, wildflowers and delicate mosses - I love the subtle colours and amazing textures - my nature photography isn't quite up to capturing it all - so I give you these views instead.

We also visited a friend on a piece of land out of town - he has a friendly goat, and sheep and a platypus in his creek.

Still having a relaxing time - access to webtime is limited so I will continue to sporadically update when I can.

happy new year

2006-01-01T18:07:00.000+11:00

We watched the fireworks over Hobart from the balcony.

Have been posting pics but not saying much. Because firstly I don't have much computer time - am rushed off the computer to make way for others. And secondly I am too relaxed to say anything much anyway. Robs mother is a charm with the kids and a young cousin pops over now and again to help as well, which is why at bath time I am able to escape up here - the kids are being bathed as I write.

I am glad we escaped Canberra for the summer - its a stinker there right now - 38-42 degrees (celcius) (farenheit). Hobart is lovely, the weather very reasonable, the views and surrounding quite stunning, the architecture and docks and arts scene are full and interesting. The food is pretty good, although they do lack a good chinese grocer and restaurant.

I received some lovely goodies for afternoon tea from Di - no photo but they were delish. Thank you.

New years greetings to everyone and hope your dreams come true in 2006! Thank you to everyone who reads this blog, everyone who takes time to comment and all the others who inspire me everyday. Have a wonderful new year.

the view from our place

2005-12-31T13:21:00.000+11:00

We spent yesterday afternoon watching a boat race from the balcony. These little one man boats struggling in the wind, quite a few didn't make it through to the end of the race. Great to watch right at the end of the front yard. This is the Derwent river and the mountain in the background in Mt Wellington. And that is Hobart city across the water - behind the bridge.

The kids playing on the front yard.

Love being here, Canberra weather is horrendous at the moment, while Hobart is mild. Havn't yelled at the kids, or watched TV since arriving.

pics of daily life

2005-12-30T13:02:00.000+11:00

pics of daily life taken at Bruny

Hobart docks

2005-12-29T20:58:00.000+11:00

The Sydney to Hobart yacht race is still coming in. We went down to the docks to have a look. One of Robs childhood friends was on one of the boats. Crowds and lots happening down at the docks today.

The requisite amount of buskers - these Russian acrobats were fantastic.

Some interesting sculpture.

And I love these floating fish and chip booths, selling freshly caught fried fish and chips. Trevalla otherwise known as blue eyed cod is really the best fish around.

Other things going on at the docks is TASte, a wonderful assortment of yummy goodies from Tasmania. Valhalla icecream - mmmmm. Barilla oysters - again mmmmm.

self portrait tuesday - reflection with daughter

2005-12-28T09:51:00.000+11:00

Last reflection portrait this week - and not much to choose from. This taken in public toilet where the mirror is made out of some sort of reflective metal and slightly distorts.

More on our Tas trip. Visited relatives on Bruny Island - they have just finished building a wonderful house with a magnificent view and direct access to the beach.

We had a bbq lunch, and Rob went for a fish afterwards, while the kids played on the rocks.

Wonderful kangaroo paw (west australian native flower) growing on the side of the house - and marvelous produce.

Sorry for the sporadic posts, never sure when I can have uninterupted time on my father in laws computer. So will be updating just when I can.

merry christmas from Hobart

2005-12-26T10:12:00.000+11:00

Our Canberra christmas stick (er tree), with handmade and bought baubles.

Have been having a busy time in Hobart, visiting local attractions and doing the rounds of relatives and friends. Salamanca square is a fun and lively place to visit, with live music on friday nights, lots of galleries and historic attractions.

The kids had a bit of a dance before dragging us away in search of food.

It always seems to end with a child crying on the street.

Hope everyone had a very merry christmas.

self portrait tuesday - reflections. A road trip and a goanna.

2005-12-20T12:52:00.000+11:00

spt from within the car. wearing pink thongs and ready for sun and surf and camping.

We just dropped the kids at the airport to their grandma. And we went on our Merry way to stay with beautiful Jane (hello Jane). Who fed us wonderful food and plyed us with yummy drinks and treats. We explored and mooched and generally lolled about. Caught up with some other friends (Hello Sharon and Kelvin) ate more wonderful food and slept and relaxed. The kids plane was delayed for 2 hours and so didn't get in to Hobart until 1am. Grandma was a trooper, and occupied the kids at the airport until the flight took off at 10.30pm, she told us not to worry as she was an experienced refugee.

From Sydney we were set for some bush camping on the South Coast. And went to Meroo National park. There is not a lot to do here except, swim, bush walk, bird watch, fish. We set up camp in a lovely excluded spot with direct access to the beach. The water was wonderful and clear, not too windy, surf not too big. Perfect for body surfing, floating and swimming. It is a walk to the camp site from the carpark, so pretty basic supplies are required, no water is available so you must bring your own. There is a toilet back at the carpark - the composting kind which is relief as the long drop toilets get rather smelly, unlike the composting which has no flies and hardly any smell at all.

Anyway I spent the time either swimming or reading (I finished Jeanette Winterson's 'lighthousekeeping' which was beautiful and lyrical - wonderful descriptions such as "the fog was as thick as doubt" which conjures up such thoughtful imagery - read an extract at her site). rob meanwhile in on an eternal lookout for the perfect fishing spot, which I followed him around on for a while and took some photos while I was there.

Our camp site was visited by a huge Goanna, it trundled into camp while I was having a midday nap in the tent. I heard some rustling and looked out, there is was sauntering on by. I quickly grabbed my camera for evidence.

A few jobs to do. SPT to update. Washing to do, before we fly to TAS tomorrow.

self portrait tuesday reflective surface #2

2005-12-13T14:06:00.000+11:00

Reflection of me and my favourite window in the microwave door. Includes a view of my kitchen shelves.

Am taking a blogging break - thank you for all your kind and thoughtful and wonderful comments yesterday. I need to get organised to go away for a few weeks and want to take the rest of week away from the computer and into the housework. I almost need to be tied to the broom and mop to make me do it.

I need to pack for me and kids and husband for a month away.
I need to organise the house so that housesitters will not get a fright.
I need to pack up my craft room, finish off projects and wrap presents.
I need to pay all the bills and do all the banking and do all the paperwork and filing.
I need to return the library books.
I need to mend the window locks.
I need to take the chooks and fish to their temporary home.
I need to move all the pot plants to make it easier for neighbours to water them.
I need to get the car organised - oil changed etc (well organise my husband to do this anyway)
I need to do all the washing sort holiday clothes
I need to get onto it all - tomorrow.

So for now I will leave you with an assortment of posts from the past to peruse and I will be back a bit before christmas posting from Tas. Have a merry christmas everyone.

some resolutions :: pencil roll and bag :: try these pea fritters :: make a hussif - mens sewing kit :: make this chocolate chili cake :: try this simple girls skirt :: check out my fish man husband :: have another look at my first and best quilt :: check out some of my photos of everyday objects :: my list for better parenting :: my silly gorgeous kids :: kids with a camera :: kindergarten drawing :: drawing books at the cafe :: clown cakes :: drama at the dumpling inn :: chooks and mud oven :: night time at the park :: playdough :: yummy bread ::

enjoy

feeling lazy

2005-12-11T20:03:00.000+11:00

Tad hungover yesterday. Too much wine to go with good (excellent in fact) Chinese food (authentic chinese from various regions not just Cantonese). My fave is always the spicy salt crispy whitebait and the mapo tofu (spicy mince with tofu and sometimes mushrooms), but because it was a work do, we decided to test/surprise everyone with a cold dish of jellyfish and duck feet - which is a great icebreaker - conversation starter.

Swimming lessons and lots of hanging at the pool this weekend too. The kids swimming is coming along marvelously - they are both floating on their own and doing backward and frontward torpedos. We followed this by a bbq and beer and today a kids party (with some champagne). Feeling a bit lazy and sleepy. Hopefully the kids will be asleep soon and I can relax.

I also finished off the binding of the two quilts I was making yesterday afternoon while Rob was at Tai chi, one was for Rob (the japanese fabrics) and the other for my parents. Photos later. I am making the mermaid outfit, but not happy with it so far - can't get those mermaid boobs right! Any suggestions for how to do it?

Its quiet here, breeze outside, bjork on the ipod, kids whispering in bed.

handmade christmas

2005-12-09T10:09:00.000+11:00

woollen patches on baby singlets - just sent a new batch of these off to a woollen shop recently - in time for christmas.

Great gift ideas for christmas around - so many wonderful handmade gifts. I really love getting and giving handmade items. So thoughtful and special and individual. I am giving all handmade this year - quilts to close family members, bags and clothing and softies for extended family and friends children.

Quite a few blogs are doing gift guides, which I love - a lot of wonderful things I havn't seen before, and everyone is so extra creative at this time of year - I just love it.
one good bumblebee has a gift guide :: thimble has gift guides - here is no.6 for kids :: great ideas via thread and yarn :: design sponge and popgadget have a huge gift guide going on - not neccesarily handmade but lots of great design :: if you are in sweden Camilla has a shop and if you are in Lisbon go to Ana, Hilda and Rosa's shop :: and Morphe exhbition (organised by Carly) in Adelaide sounds like it was a huge success - photos here ::

It was funny - all the comments regarding the mermaid boobs on yesterday's post. I didn't think twice about it as I knew exactly what she was talking about - mermaid coconut or shell bra to give the appearance of boobs, a mermaid outfit is really not a mermaid outfit without them.

Otilija

2005-12-08T17:01:00.000+11:00

in her end of year play - she is a bumblebee. They had to memorise the words to the Australian poem triantiwontigongolope by C.J. Dennis. A huge feat and I was really impressed by the teachers enthusiasm and effort in teaching the children this poem.

Otilija's Santa letter this year is quite detailed.
Dear Santa,
My name is Otilija.
I live at ...
My favourite colour is pink.
I have been super duper good.
I am five years old and I am in Kindergarten.
I would like these things for christmas-

a pink mermaid costume with a proper tail and mermaid boobs to match and with shell clips to go in my hair. (she got a mermaid costume last year made by grandma but the tail and colour did not live up to expectation)
a real microphone for pretend singing at home.
a toy princess cat - pink and fluffy. It has a crown and wings but no dress. (or a princess horse if you can't find a cat)
a real baby horse, a white pony baby horse and its name is crystal.
a puppy - a real one. a good puppy that does what its told. and is a a talking puppy. its name is tinkerbell.

Thank you Santa

peg dolls and clothespin people - christmas ideas #5

2005-12-06T11:30:00.000+11:00

There are so many varieties of styles of peg dolls - from very simply and beautifully painted dolls, and simply clothed dolls with bits of fabric and hessian glued on and wire or pipecleaners used as arms - which children can make or at least help make and design, to quite elaborately dressed dolls that are not suitable for children.

I personally think that these dolls are meant to be played with, to enhance imagination and used in all sorts of creative play situations.

An antique hand carved wooden peg doll - isn't it just beautiful. I love the simplicity - here

Simple and fun:
grade one kids made these
a whole bunch of peg doll angels made by school children :: and a butterfly

seriously fancy:
seriously fancy peg dolls for sale
peg dolls for teaching too
state library of vic - great pic from the 70's of some peg dolls
special doll with painted sack dress
very well dressed peg people :: hula peg doll :: toy soldier

a little bit of country:
some pretty adorable peg flower fairys
shaker style peg dolls
straw hair and sack dress dolls
clothespin 'grungy' chubby dolls

groovy:
handpainted wooden dollies by loosetooth
painted peg dolls
clothespin people from the small object - diva of peg people - I am quite liking these ones made by her neice too

ornaments and christmas stuff:
peg doll santa on ebay
snow peg man :: snowman peg people
wooden peg reindeer
clothespin angels with little crochet outfits
adorable angels :: wonderful angels

other:
I couldn't resist this retro peg fabric

plump pudding is making simple peg dolls inspired by these gorgeous ones at monkton

These simple yet so very stylish peg dolls are just adorable. These are really inspiring me.

supplies - well where to get these old fashioned wooden pegs? from craft shops and hardware stores thats where...
peg dolls with hats
people sticks
standard peg doll pegs
wooden doll shapes (scroll down a bit) (this site also has felt and other waldorf craft supplies)
wooden peg supplies

patterns - do it yourself - yeah go on try it - looks like fun - you could make some as gifts or get your kids to make their own as part of holiday activities.

Simple - kids can do these - maybe not little little kids though
simple pattern #1
simple pattern #2
clothespin elf simple pattern #3
simple pattern #4
clothespin butterflies easy pattern #5
dragon fly
butterfly easy peasy
farmer doll easy pattern #6
easy instructions and pattern #7
angels :: more angels

a bit harder - need adult supervision and quite a bit of help - depending on age of child
how to make kimono peg dolls (using 3 pegs)
make a peg doll angel for your tree - instructions here
how to make clothespin christmas ornaments
clothespin snow people
instructions do-it-yourself
christmas ornaments
clothespin christmas ornaments
martha stewart's clothespin ornaments

difficult - these are really for adults or older teens to make
buckingham palace guard
clothes pin angel with crochet dress pattern
clothespin witch with crochet witch outfit pattern
clothespin reindeer - this is at a site called exploring womanhood
clothespin fairy with pattern for crochet fairy outfit

kits - don't feel like gathering up all the bit and pieces you need for making them - or want a cute and simple kit to give as a gift ...
pegdoll making kit also available here
jazzy pegdoll kit here
peg doll angel kit
cornhusk and wooden peg doll kits

Self portrait tuesday - reflective surface - #1

2005-12-06T09:31:00.000+11:00

When I looked up to take this photo - I noticed the scum - what does this say about me - I am a bad bad bad housekeeper, I really really hate cleaning, and I am not particularly fussed about such things as scum on the shower rose. What I should have done - is clean it and take an after photo - but actually I didn't even think of this until now - and really best to keep it real, after all it is a self portrait, not a pretty picture for the family photo album.

more self portait tuesday pics here
and about this months challenge here -

two quilts

2005-12-05T07:57:00.000+11:00

I am halfway through making these two quilts for christmas presents for certain family members.

This first quilt is made up of large pieces of fabrics. A Portuguese fabric from Caliope, and the floral fabric and a Hawaiian fabric is from Maureen from 5 and a beagle in Canada. Thank you Maureen, I hadn't photographed the wonderful goodies she sent over until they were half made up - she also sent me a thimble with a Canadian flag on it. The backing fabric is a p.kaufmann fabric my mother found and I had a few metres of it I thought it tied in well.

The second quilt is made from Japanese fabrics - with an indigo dragonfly fabric for the backing.

family resemblence

2005-12-04T10:15:00.000+11:00

Which of these kids is me and which is Orlando?

Which one is my little brother and which is Orlando?

This is what he grew up into (above) and my brother and my little boy together.

And the two babies - which is me and which is Orlando?

Isn't it uncanny?

Tibetan cloth

2005-12-03T07:43:00.000+11:00

When I was in China a few years ago, my brother came to visit and together we travelled to Tibet. Wonderful experience, so rich and colourful. This cloth (which I use as a table runner) is actually used as a male leg warmer, it is wrapped around the legs with string and worn under the heavy coats in winter.

Some Images I found around the web of Tibetan traditional clothing

Image of a Tibetan woman wearing her fortune on her head
Image of a Tibetan child
Image of some Tibetan men wearing traditional clothing
Image of Tibetan nomads wearing wonderful cloth blankets
Image of a Tibetan couple with with their good travel clothes

wedding quilt

2005-12-02T11:51:00.000+11:00

For my dear friend who was recently married and lost a sister in the same week.
This quilt is only small - wall hanging size or lap quilt size. Made from luscious reds and browns and creams - Asian fabrics. Very simple quilting - I unpicked a lot and then decided to keep it simple as I had a tight deadline and rushing it was ruining it.