have your cake

Yesterday was ice the cake day.
I didn't buy enough fondant icing so I improvised
and decorated with polka dots from the scraps of icing that were left over.

I really didn't waste a bit and I actually love the way it turned out. Doesn't it look pretty?

That was until this happened. That cheeky little sweet tooth of mine got to it. Grrr.

And I thoughtlessly left the cake on the buffet,
well in Woo's mind it could be regarded as 'kindly left it on the buffet' as she went back for more
and it now has 4 very large chunks out of it.
I can assure you that she is one child who has her cake and eats it too!

Have great day!

E x

favourite things - inviteL

Okay, so this is a goodie.

Carly from The Simple Things manages to find the coolest of simple things. 

A while back she showed this gorgeous notebook, A 1000 kinds of stories, on her lovely blog and I just had to have it.   

I love it.  It's the book where I note all the hilarious, cheeky and plain whacky things that my funny children say.  Including today's at the shops, whilst trapped in the queue at the checkout (ie nowhere to hide). 

Woo full volume, dancing around me. 

Woo: "Mummy I'm thirsty, please can we have a bottle of that water?" 

Me:"In a minute we'll go to the cafe and get some" "Okay.  Mummy, do we need some chippies?" "No honey we don't right now" 

Woo: "Oh, not fair.  Mummy do I get diahorrea?"

Me: "Oh look the lady's ready for us."

People laughing their heads off all around me! Oh well at least they thought it was funny!

You might remember I made a bag organiser some time ago.  And I said it was a one-off and that there were plenty of places you could find them professionally made.  Well if you'd like to own one you can find it here.  They come in three sizes and an array of gorgeous colours.  Sure to set you off well in the New Year.

High on my wish list! Anyone?

These stunningly simple photobooks are also on my wish list - anyone? 

I love the colour palate, especially the three on the left.  Anyone?

inviteL is a fabulous Korean stationery company.  I just adore their products. And they offer free shipping worldwide - even better.

Anyway ... Carly is hosting a biggest and best giveaway ever.  If you hop over to her blog you can find out how to enter into the running for some of their wonderful products.  And even if you don't you can use the special promo code also at The Simple Things  to receive a surprise gift with purchase. 

Hint:  It's at the bottom of her post.

Happy shopping :)

E x

hi-ho, hi-ho

Having had a very successful market last week I was delighted to be invited to join the Bayside Style Group for a two day boutique shopping event.

YAY.

So there's more stress  creative energy  and mess creative activity at my place! 

I do hope you can pop your head in and say hello. 

Ex

my little stall

Nerve-wracking!

Stressful!

Exhausting!

Exhilarating!

Done, E x

snowballs

Black and white Snowflakes transferred onto hemp fabric, with shimmery silver-on-linen backs. The raw edges will soften as they are handled over the years.

 

The illustrations are of actual frozen snow crystals from an early encyclopedia. A bit primitive looking, but so fun!

 

It's often hard to think of Christmas decorations that work well with summer.  I think these are perfect.

Gentle, crisp, nostalgic and calm.

They are packaged in their own calico bag to ensure they stay together and dust free. My hope is that they become heirloom decorations, to be enjoyed for years to come.

They'll be heading to market tomorrow night, but if you can't make it, and would like some let me know (Australia only at this stage).

They'll be selling for a teeny $18.

Christmas

Nite Market

Friday November 18  7:30pm onwards

St Anthony’s Parish Hall

Cnr Neerim & Grange Roads Glenhuntly

Come and shop in style!

Have some fun and get a start on your Christmas shopping.

Precious Touch Jewellery, Metalicus Clothing, Little Shop Of, Bespoke Janik and lots lots more………. including Tiggy Twinkle!

Entry is $7 and includes a light refreshment and ticket in our

raffle with loads of fabulous prizes to be won!

Enquiries to 0400 301 042 or

email stanightmarket@gmail.com

another moment

I found myself alone again this afternoon.

The house was still and warm and quiet. So I sat, still and warm and quiet for some time.

And I enjoyed it.

Yesterday Flossy and I went with children and puppies to the local farmer's market and filled our basket with delicious local produce. Cavallo Nero, seasons first cherries, Manzanilla olives, Philippa's breads and heavenly good goat cheeses - blue and scrumptious Gruyere. Yum!

So I made myself (another) little platter and ate peacefully.
Slowly.
Savouring the flavours unimpeded by my beautiful children's constant interruptions.

I shared my time with some friendly plastic snakes before the lights of my life blasted back into my space.

And I was happy!

I wish you a wonderful week.

E x

early

This morning I woke gently.
You know those mornings where you transition effortlessly from deep restful sleep to wakefulness?

It was lovely and it was early, not quite 5.30am.

One of the darling little blackbirds outside my window was in full song.
He trilled and sang, cheerfully, hopefully, happily for some time before taking his song over the hedge and away.

I fed on his joy and slipped out of bed leaving Woo and Greg deep in slumber.

It was cool so I snuggled up in my gown and tiptoed to the kitchen. Our house is so tiny that stealth is imperative if you hope to have any alone time in the morning!  While the kettle rumbled to a boil I let the morning light in. It's a big sky day.

I played alone for an hour. ABC classic FM, sweet and soothing at this time of day, kept me company.  That, and my cup of well brewed tea.
There was time to inhale and move slowly - indulgently.
Peace and creativity flowed effortlessly.

Happiness.

 

My sweet sneezy boy crept by soon, and slithered on to my lap for the most precious of snuggles.  I buried my head in his hair and inhaled deeply.  He smelled of boy, my boy, sleepy, clean and well, just him.  

I love the smell of my babies.  Greg says he'd like to bottle the smell it's so good.

Eventually Tigs wriggled free of my embrace and the radio was drowned out by the Thunderbirds.  Nevermind.  I've stolen this moment and the day feels full of optimism and possibility.

Christmas is in the air - don't say it isn't!

Stay cool if you're in Melbourne.  It's going to be a warm one.

E x

A few weeks ago we had a magical trip away to beautiful Toora in Gippsland.  It has to be one of the most lovely areas of Victoria.  Green and lush and with such wildly varied landscapes,  beach, flatlands, rolling hills and dense forests.  So beautiful.  We stayed with out lovely friends and although Tigs and I were pretty unwell for 24 hours we had a ball.  Babies played in drawers.  Big boys, bush-bashed, which is an Australian term for rambling through the bushland searching for interesting 'things'.

The tiny town of Toora even manages to have a skate ramp.  I  love that directly over the road is farm sheds and acres of land.

The locals have created a lovely dry river bed and the children made their own fun here for some time while the grown ups relaxed or took pics!

These two have a deepening love for one another.  They can be terribly 'three' at times but also kind and gentle and fun loving.  I love that as their language increases they have sweet little conversations with each other.

When we're out Tigs usually finds a stick.  I know a lot of people don't like children playing with sticks but something about it reminds me of my Daddy who when we were out always looked for suitable thumbstick.

I'm sure Tigs and Daddy would have loved this kind of time together.  In some ways so different and others so alike.

Back up at the 'farm'.  Love that the old truck has found such a beautiful resting place. 

And oh, the views are just breath taking.

I hope your outlook is as wonderful today too!

E x



'my' bag organiser

I absolutely fell in love with Carly's  purse organiser.

So, I whipped one up myself. 

Actually whipped is not really the word, toiled, slaved, agonised would better suit.

 Let me assure you I will not make another so all the purse-organiser-makers need not be concerned by about declining sales!! 

 It was fiddly (understatement) to make.  But I'm impulsive and impoverished and really, really wanted one.  I wanted it so badly (like NOW) that I bought a piece of foam and set to work with fabric I had on hand.  In spite of the difficulty I had making it I LOVE it and highly recommend them to anybody who wants to reduce the clutter in their bag and to be able to find things quickly.  Although I don't have my big ol' camera pictured in the organiser it fits right in the centre, snug and protected. 

You can easily Google them or search through Etsy.

It's worth every penny the manufacturers charge, I promise!

my best boy

At one with nature.

Sometimes he takes me to the absolute limits.

When he loses it, boy does he lose it. And then almost like magic, as the first bite of food
(that he eventually agrees to eat) reaches his belly, he's back. My beautiful, loving, gentle, clever little boy.

Back to the happiest of places.

Just like 'that'.

Tiggy I will always and forever love you to the very core no matter how, (mmm, what's the word?) ... 'tricky', you can be.

These pics were taken on a gorgeous little getaway we recently had to my dear friend's house in Gippsland (= heaven).
I'll be popping up there again this weekend so I may even manage to take some proper pics.

Thanks for visiting even though there has been a bit of a pause here recently.

I hope you have a magical day.

E x

hangin'

Image by Tigs.

Spring afternoon.

almost balmy

First meal outside in a long while.

Heaven!

lines

I saw a cushion I liked in Spotlight. I didn't like the colour, I didn't like the price, but I did like the idea!

I used upholstery thread and the longest stitch and then back and forth in very random lines



Feels like spring :)