The first hint...

As a rule, I don't do any Christmas decorating around the house until the tree goes up on December 1st. This year however, a little tiny hint has appeared early. Can you spot him?

Isn't he the cutest little thing?! As we are hosting the family for Christmas this year, I was hoping to make some place card holders like Tara Dennis made on BH&G a few weeks ago (on p64 of the magazine) from resin birds. I couldn't find any like hers, but did find this little guy. He was a bit garish, so needed a touch up with some craft acrylic (sorry, didn't think to take a 'before'). Then he looked so sweet I couldn't bear to put him in the decoration box, so here he sits. I am resisiting adding anything else until December...::struggle::..a month is not enough! The actual Christmas shopping is done, just waiting for a few things to arrive in the post, but the Christmas crafting is another matter. Drat this 'going to work' business. Can't I just sit and craft until everything is made?? Better get a wriggle on... P.S. "Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect."

Oren Arnold

Retreat...

Wow! Work was a bit mad last week and I haven't had a chance to mention what an excellent weekend I had at 'Twilight to Twilight' (no, not that Twilight, calm down, no vampires here) scrapbooking retreat. A great bunch of girls, no cooking, cleaning or child care, a space of our own to work and a beautiful rural setting outside Esk - what's not to love?!

This was the view from my workspace...

Mmmmmm. I could have stayed for a week!

I picked up this lovely decanter at the local flea market on the Saturday morning for a grand total of $2.00Score! (I will show off the collection I'm working on soon - this fits in beautifully.) We had a good giggle at the eccentricities of small town living - like the horse blankets for sale in the town's only dress shop and the grumpy proprieter of the antiques place in the main street (where the mounted animal heads freaked us right out). We found an excellent 'cheap shop' called Wayne's World where the aisles were so narrow you had to breathe in to pass someone, but with an amzing array of stuff.

The creativity was quite inspiring, lots of good ideas to borrow, but the relaxation and communication was just as important.

As Colleen Wainwright says, "Sometimes the cure for restlessness is rest. "

Thanks ladies, and roll on next retreat.

Books, books, books...

If you are a book lover and haven't found this site yet, prepare to be amazed! Based in the UK, The Book Depository has a fantatic range, great prices and FREE delivery (yes, even to Australia). You heard correctly - FREE DELIVERY. If there are two words that get my interest, it's those two! While the Dollar is so good against the Pound, go and have a look. My latest acquisition is above, and I also have a new novel put away for myself for Christmas (kinda sad buying your own gift, but that's how we roll around here!). Enjoy!

Crafty...

Thought I'd show you a couple of projects. The first is my current one. In August I saw the lovely Tara Dennis on BH&G making an easy rag quilt. I filed this away in my memory banks until it popped out unexpectedly when I saw the new 'Authentic' Moda/Sweetwater fabric at Quilt Fabric Delights. Mmmmm.

Now, I know it's not really quilt weather (by the time I finish it might be) but I just had to get some of that lovely fabric-y goodness in my house! I only bought a few fat quarters (and used the free shipping special code on Melissa Goodsell's blog) , so it wasn't an expensive venture. The other squares are from my stash or leftovers from earlier projects like the couch cushions and lamp. Tara makes a full queen-size quilt, but mine will be much more modest. Maybe 2/3 the size of a single bed - just right for the couch on movie night! Hopefully I will get some time to work on it soon. The other thing I wanted to show is the artwork I made from fabric and crocheted flowers mentioned here. It started life as this lovely 1970's print - apologies for the photo. (The household's youngest photographer insisted on taking the 'before' shot - fuzzy and no sign of the ug-ly two-tone frame. Use your imagination!) It cost the princely sum of $3 at the local thrift shop.

The yellow and black fabric I purchased online at Funky Fabrix had a pattern much bigger than I expected, so was no good for the original project I had in mind. But it was striking, and I needed something in a larger scale for a blank wall after an art re-arrange.

I took the ug-ly print out of the frame, gave it a spray with some adhesive and lay it onto the wrong side of the fabric. I pulled the fabric taut, wrapped it round to the back and secured with glue and staples.

While the glue was drying, I mixed up some grey and black acrylic paint to a dark charcoal and painted the frame with a foam brush.

Once it was dry I popped the covered print back into the frame. It fit quite snugly so didn't need pins or tape.

The finishing touch was a case of serendipity. I had not long received some crocheted flowers from Sweet Vintage in the post, and the pack contained two exactly the right shade of yellow. (I love it when that happens!) So I attached them with some craft glue and voila...

An artwork for less than $10. Not to everyone's taste, but I love it. I love the price even more.

Farmstay....

What a great weekend with the kids! Despite the horrible car trips (in both directions - they don't travel well together) we had a trerrific time at Lillydale. We were lucky enough to win our Prep 'farm week' raffle earlier this year - a 2-night farm stay. We left Dad at home to mind the pets, as he is allergic to horses. (Hmmmm. Got a weekend to himself... didn't really think that through, did I?)

We travelled 2.5 hours South-West to the 'Scenic Rim', just in the shadow of Mt Barney to enjoy a very full weekend of stuff like this...

and this...

and this...

But we did get to stay in here...

Now we are home and all exhausted! Early to bed...'night John-Boy.

Flashback...

Can there be anything better to bring a smile to the lips of an Australian my age than the mention of 'The Goodies'?! Cast your mind back... These pioneers of satire are in Australia for a few shows in Sydney this month - no further this time unfortunately. Check out the local media for lots of interviews. For those who don't know what I'm on about (how old are you?!) here's a recap - From 1970 to 1982, The Goodies (Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie) saved London from giant kittens, started a pirate radio station/post office, studied Northern English martial arts, fought genetically modified clowns and rode a three-seater bicycle (the trandem) from situation to surreal situation. Their blend of visual comedy (which the kids loved) and incisive commentary on everything from the National Health Scheme to Apartheid (which the adults loved, in a naughty kind of way) will be fondly remembered by Brits and Aussies alike. ::Sigh:: Goody-goody-yum-yum.

Updates from my life...

Wanted to share some of the things that have been going on in the last few weeks - This baby... became this 6-year-old.

This baby...

became this 8-year-old.

This baby... measured the top of his head at my eyebrow.

This fruit...

became this drink!

Some of this fabric...

became this piece of art on my wall.

We went here...

and here...

and here.

This woman was happy with her life.

P.S. Hope you are all travelling well too.