Saturday Wrap-up

I am thinking that on a Saturday, whenever I have the chance I want to do a summary of some of the great stuff that I love in blog-world. All picture credits belong to the owner's blogs.

I found the discussion on markets and why people do them at Thornberry to be really interesting even if I actually found it really hard to answer.

Katy was lucky enough to get her crafty hands on a Yudo machine and I have been so enjoying the experiments. I so want a Gocco so I have found it really interesting to see you she has been finding it.

Michelle's "things to love about winter" has been so good but I think it would be easy to find love in a beautiful Tasmanian countryside.

There seem to be quite a few new arrivals coming as well. I am hoping that Amber and Megan - who both have beautiful life affirming places - are near the end of the sickly first few months of pregnancy and can spend the rest of winter enjoying their growing bumps.

And to finish some favourites that I am sure you have all seen. I am loving Emily's new Oddfellows collection, Ava (shown above) is so amazingly haunting. You have to of found My Milk Toof, it is so sweet it could rot your teeth.

Last but by no means least, the Handmade Help recipe book is out in either PDF or Hardcopy. Great ideas and all the money is going to the Salvation Army to help with the Victorian Bushfire Appeal, where there is still so much work to be done.

My Creative Space

This is what happens when children are left alone and quiet while upstairs, this is my poor creative space after Poppy spread every button and scrap of fabric I own all over the floor. I am in my usually after market slump so motivation to spend the day cleaning it up hasn't yet come to me. (I am a day late as it has taken me that long to find my camera under the piles of crap on my desk if that is an indication of the state of my house at tthe moment)

I do love doing the markets, but when I decided to start doing them last year to now, a lot of our life has changed. Glen has gone back to work full-time, I am now Poppy's prime carer, in school holidays I am in charge of amusing both and trying to get work done, there have been reduced hours in my 'real' job so less money - nothing bad but stuff that has made the time and dedication needed a little stretched over the last few months. Now I feel like the caged bird let free. I am busting at the seams to get started on stuff that doesn't need a time constraint, things I can take the time to try just because I want to. In our house we call 'specials' anything we don't want anyone to get their hands on - that is what I want to create, some specials for the kids and Glen and for something even more novel , maybe even me. I want to have time to blog and comment like I use to because I really enjoy it. I want to try and go back to all the lovely people that commented, especially on the Poppy posts and say my deepest thank-you as part of us is still haunted. I am also looking forward to enjoying Brown Owls and Perle 8 evenings. Having said that I am thinking of designs for the market at the end of November but looking forward to taking it easy. So I guess after that ramble, my creative space, under that mess, is full of anticipation.

Check out Kirsty's House o' School holiday fun for more creative spaces.

Eye Spy ... Something I Love about my Suburb

These pictures are at the local duck pond this morning, don't you just love Poppy's new smock from Sophie. She loves it and has been collecting goodies in her front pocket all day.

I so love Ellieboo's theme for the week and one that I knew straight away what I was going to say. Our area in South East Melbourne has such a great number of green spaces, I feel so lucky/ There are half a dozen playgrounds and two duck ponds all in walking distance and easily the best thing about where I live. We also live on the train line and are walking distance to the station. The kids love walking beside the line and watching the trains and people. They also love walking over the overpass that goes right over the freeway, even though it scares the crap out of me (hate heights). I am by nature a gypsy and having lived here for 2.5 years that is almost a record for me in one place, so we must love it.

I am hoping that Kirstie will be able to help us out for next week. Remember to add yourself to Mr Linky if you are playing along. If you want to join in, at any time, feel free to add your name to the list so we can all find you.

Market Madness

I had such a great week-end in Sydney, going to the Mathilda's Market and enjoying my virtual life in 3D. I had a great lunch on Saturday with Sophie, Monique, Amy (she even bought me gorgeous Japan gifts, eek look at that sweet fabric and buttons) and Sophie's sister Melanie (blog-less yet lovely). It is amazing how we managed to fill in quite a few hours with effortless conversation and really good Yum Cha.

The market went well considering I think it is a hard time of year with all the end of year financial sales, etc though I had a fairly constant day. Lexi was so sweet spending the whole day with me, keeping me sane since I do get a little nutty on market day. Lots of tops bloggers came to visit me too, which was so cool. Amanda (Ellie is just the cutest little button ever), Monique (more cute Ellies'), Cass, Bianca and Lisa just made the day even more fun. I even managed to invite myself around to Sophie's place for afternoon tea and hang out with her gorgeous family. By the time I got on the plane I was exhausted and so glad that I started my blog.
Unfortunately Poppy has been getting her 2 year old molars and all weekend she was pretty miserable and had teething nappies so Glen is owed BIG TIME for looking after the crew for the weekend.

So all in all it was such a great time and made me realise how truly lucky I am.

Off to Market

I leave on Saturday morning to fly up to Sydney for the week-end and can't wait to catch up with friends and spend Sunday at the Mathilda's market. If you are in the area, why not drop in and say hi. It is at Ignatius' College, Riverview in the Main Hall, Tambourine Bay Road, Lane Cove between 9-1. Lets hope the children and Glen manage to not destroy the house while I am away.

These are robot pants and matching reversible vest.

Hope I don't sell these lace cargo pants so I can give Poppy a pair, I think they are so simply sweet.