wrapping up

So this Christmas, as many before, came and went too, too quickly.  I feel like I practically blinked and it was gone.  Life became so busy in the lead up to Christmas with all the normal prep and then throwing in a series of Christmas craft markets too!  Fun and fast!  Of course that left no time for this little space sadly, which is I'm doing the Christmas wrap up now :)

This year in a bid to be more organised I set up a wrapping station on a sideboard next to the tree,  which made it so much easier to handle the mountains of presents that needed to be packaged up and placed temptingly under the tree.  I loved having ready access to all the ribbons, tapes, tags and tools.  So efficient, which was crucial given my crazy schedule in the lead up to the end of the year.

I have to confess though (especially as my Mum actually knows the truth) that although the wrapping tray looks lovely the rest of the house was completely upside-down! 

There was sewing on the machine, packaging all over the kitchen bench, products were hanging on clothes racks drying, the dining table was totally covered!  Even I was covered, in threads,  and nearly left the house to collect Tigs with my tiny scissors or a tape measure around my neck on more than one occasion.   Just keeping it real here, but not real enough to actually show you the creative chaos! 

We celebrated on the 24th with Greg's family and on the 25th with my family and some of Greg's.  And topped of at my Mum's for Boxing Day.  All three days were lovely and really captured what I love about Christmas.  Children, family fun and togetherness . 

And now it 's over for another year.  Time to tuck all the ornaments back into their tissue blankets and away in the trunk.  I did it today and the house feels a little bare, plain and still but at the same time calm, clear and fresh again, ready for the new year to unfold and reveal itself.

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

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

(montessori) pasting

 

 So peaceful.  So focused. So satisfied.

So rewarding.

ruby ela

At last ...

... a new baby girl cousin has joined the family.

Woo is delighted and wants to "pat da baby" and Tigs lamented, "Not another cousin!".

Welcome to the world baby Ruby, you're a precious gem and we love you.

oh, buttons

the production line swings into action. deadline racing towards me...

have a great week.

e x

lavender + scarlet

two things from the weekend.

i had a pedi - the first in over a year - gasp + heaven!

i plucked a box full of my heavenly lavender buds to dry.
i am hopeful that they will be ready for a big upcoming event (more on that later).
i must say i felt a little cruel to a) the plants that had worked so hard to raise these fragrant bloom and b) to the bees who buzzed around me, perhaps a little crossly, as i snipped off their much needed nectar supply - my linen cupboard smells wonderful!

the belfry ...

... there are indeed bats in it! oh, and tigs would like you to notice that there is one vampire too!

while woo napped tigs and i took the time to craft a little halloween into the house.

it really was an extremely quick, simple and last minute decision, but we thought it was lovely.

tigs made the table lanterns and flossy came to eat with us. he insisted on turning out the overhead lights and we ate by very feint lamplight! fun though.

on the menu? why pumpkin soup, of course!

hope you had a happy halloween. ours was treat or treat free and almost completely sweetie free.

let me taste your wares

gypsy brooches 
wool felt, slubby wool, cotton and vintage buttons

inspiration clips
 super strong magnets with images and words to motivate transfered onto hemp

get organised!

clean

my funny pair. smelling deliciously sweet - baby goodness, greg calls it.
woo's fringe is starting to grow and i think she looks lovely with it in a bow.
she had been somewhat reluctant to have her 'ha bow' put in, that is until tigs decided to wear one!

i love that even as i type this he remains unfazed that it will be documented for posterity (21st?). ah, the innocence.

 

    

 

i've been working on these for a few weeks on and off, inspired by heather shaw.  i'd love some feedback as to whether you think they'd be best left on my wall, or donated to the school fete.  they are 8" x 10".

the canvas is painted in the most perfect shade of blue/green/grey it really is neither one nor the other.  i just adore it.  it was an unplanned purchase at the paint store.  i saw a mistinted sample and asked if they had any in blue/grey/green and rather than giving me the odd look you might be making, the man kindly tinted my tiny pot. 

if you'd like a sample of this perfect colour just let me know and i'll send you a swatch of it to take to your own paint shop for colour matching.

the objects on the canvas are vintage hymn book sheets and cotton + hemp swatches with organza overlays. the 'billy button', twig + sea glass were all found by tiggs and me.