cuteness and colour = happy

I have been sorting out photos and found these two adorable little vignettes I took a few years ago.  Just had to share them.  They were both taken in my daughter's room before she left home.  They make me smile.

dreamimg.....

I want to go to Dreamland

adventure time and cake

 Some birthday baking.  Cupcakes of course and a chocolate cake with cut outs from Isobel's favourite show Adventure Time.  Even though it's animated it's awesome.  It's for big kids and grown up kids too.   The episodes I have seen I loved.

So it's kind of bordering on an Adventure Time obsession in this house.  Now my youngest baby is 14.  Can't believe that!!!

Jane Austen heaven........

For a mad Jane Austen fan I am really slow about discovering these two books.  How did that happen?  I have been under a rock for a while really.   Ill health does that to you.   Reading was my sanity. But for about 12 months or so now I haven't read a lot as it's been hard to concentrate or even hold a book up at times.
But when I found out about these two books I had to have them and I am reading the first one and LOVING IT!!!  OMG It covers all the things I dream about.  For instance having a trip to England bequeathed to me and immersing myself in all things Jane.  Then maybe even bumping into Mr Darcy even though he may not be Colin Firth maybe that's OK too!!!
This book is such an easy, fun and enjoyable read.  It's very small too so can be read in a night.  Or if you are like me and want to savour it a little then maybe you could stretch it to two nights.

 This is the next book in the fantasy and I have it waiting in the wings.   The story sounds even better than the first, if that's possible.  If you are a Jane fan, or even if you are not but love a fab, daydreamy kind of read then grab these two books.   You will love them!!  ooohhhh it's Jane bliss.........

pink

A piece I made recently for a very special little lady.   I haven't actually met her yet.  She lives a long long way away in Western Australia.

She was born last September.  I had so many plans of the things I wanted to make and paint for her but they haven't happened yet because of my lack of good health.   It took me waaaaaay too long to finish this. Then waaaay too long to post it.

But I am happy to report she has it now.  I finally put it in the mail.   I do hope I meet little Ella one day soon.  She is the first grandchild of  my very best friend and it breaks my heart I haven't got to hold her yet.  She is growing so fast already.

Ruby who...

Have you seen Ruby Sparks yet?  It's quite new to DVD and I saw it last week. I loved it.  It is not deep or profound, just fun.

 It's a romantic comedy but the story is a definite change to the boy meets girl scenario.   It's a lot of fun and I recommend it for an easy to watch movie when you want to just collapse and not have to think too hard by following a deep plot, or reading sub titles.  It's the magical element too in this movie I love.   I love to watch a movie that will involve time travel or something just as magical and there is a magic theme running through Ruby Sparks.

Let me know what you think

a little change will make a big difference.....

this is an advertising campaign that is relevant to ALL of us.   If you care about the Earth and the environment and especially animals, any animals PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE watch this and see how you can make a change, even the tiniest change can make a difference.  It is about a minute for the ad then a few celebs commenting


Be a voice for animals at AnimalsAustralia.org

how it feels when one leaves the nest......

I recently have experienced my first chick leaving the nest.  We hear that from people all the time and don't give it must thought as we know it's just the way things go.  We should be happy we can send our children out into the world as confident and happy adults.  That's what it's all about. right??? That is the biggest reward a parent can hope for.

There are definitely times when our kids as teenagers give us moments where we feel we can't wait for the day they move out!!!! 
That feeling will pass almost in an instant, but at the time it may feel real as you are pulling your hair out and feeling you deserve to be treated better.

I have the deepest feeling of grief.  It is the only way I can describe it, grief.   I know it's only been a couple of days but I still expect her to come home.  It still feels like she may be at a friend's place or her boyfriend's and she will be home.

Yesterday I cleaned the floor in her room and anything else that needed cleaning in there because, as you can imagine her younger sister is so excited to be getting a bigger room.  I am happy for her too.  She has been cramped in quite a small room for years and as the last few years have passed and she has taken up guitar, and draws and fills a journal a week, reads a lot, has a big sports bag for karate etc etc her room is disappearing.  She will now have a bigger room and a built-in wardrobe.

I have that feeling some of you may of had before, you wake up and for a moment you are OK then you realise you are incredibly sad about something and cry again.
I really held it together in front of The Eldest.  I wanted her to think I was brave.
When I left home at 19 and actually got a plane to leave, mum was so strong, if she hadn't been, as I was falling apart, I think I would of stayed.

The Eldest has a lovely house very close to uni, her boyfriend with her, they both are in the uni course the want, they have another friend moving in this weekend.  They have other friends down there and more coming. She already has a casual job she transferred from up here.  So I know they will be happy and PLEASE believe me when I say I am so happy for her.  I am.  But the hurt still hurts.  I will miss all the little things like me in bed watching my fave shows and The Eldest sitting on the bed too kind of watching tv but online shopping too.  Twenty tabs open, carts full, but not really wanting to spend any money.  Planning a snack even though it's close to midnight, laughing at the stupid crap people put on Facebook etc etc, the list goes on

I just wish this grieving would pass quickly.  It's a strong feeling of knowing your family will never be the same,  We will still be close but the dynamic of the day to day family has changed.  That change will be such a big thing.

For those of you with little children don't relax thinking you have forever as I can speak from experience now.  It comes SO much quicker than you think it will.  Make the most of every moment you have as a family under one roof.  Change is imminent

vintage love, creative hope

I am so looking forward to a new year of hope..

 

 

a year of hoping to recover to good health, at least enough to be up and about some of each day... 

 

 

I am hoping for a year of getting back into enjoying treasure hunting at the op shops, and I want to start BLOGGING again.   I used to love my little blog and it has been neglected for so long now along with a lot of other things.....

 

 

I am hoping for a year where I can actually be a wife and mother in my family and not just the one who needs to lay down all the time......

I am hoping if I need more chemotherapy and other toxic, shitty drugs they will actually help me and make a difference.....

I want and NEED to have a year of returning to art and crafty fun times and baking, of not just having ideas in my head and not being able to do anything with them, but actually being able to CREATE,  yay for creating, it really does keep us sane.  I miss it so.  Damn you ill health, go away

...

cupcake time

 Last week was hubby's 50th birthday.  The youngest found and bought these cupcake toppers herself and made the cupcakes too.  She no longer needs my help to bake :(

 We love them as they just look like those cute toy soldiers on Toy Story that walk side to side and are adorable! 

I really want to recommend this book to you sooooo much.  Not only because it is written by a very close friend of mine but because it is a fabulous read.  If you are into paranormal study you will love it and even if you are not it such an enjoyable read about Barbie's story of growing up and realising she had a special gift.

I could of read it in one night but I got to half way through and forced myself to put it down so I had something to look forward to reading the next night.   It is Barbie's first book and is doing so well for her.  I can't wait for the next one which has already been signed but won't be published until about the middle of next year.

Congratulations Barbie.  It is fabulous.  To check out the book on the Llewellyn site go here.  There are also some great reviews on Amazon.

yummy little chap

Look at this cutie our local bakery have been making lately.  A lot of work involved but would be great for kids parties or Halloween if you are into that where you live.  Halloween is not a big deal in Australia, although you hear more about it now than you used to as the major retailers force it down our throats.   I thought he was adorable.....too cute to eat....if we make him in our house he will be vegan and gluten free and taste just as good as a special treat

butterfly be free

 I was recently in an ATC swap (artist trading card) over at Suzi Blu's Le petite Academy.  ATCs are a lot of fun as they are mini works of art and can be quick and easy to do.  The only rule is they can be no bigger than a normal playing card. The possibilities with them are endless

 The theme was butterflies.  I did four for the swap and made one extra for a friend on the site, which is the purple one

 Of course with lots of glitter I couldn't resist some macro shots......

handmade love

I have tried so many times to make a pair of simple fingerless gloves but each time they are not quite right.  I can't seem to get the tension right.  I don't want them tight but I want them to give a little compression

 So I finally thought why not try Etsy and I found literally hundreds and hundreds of them.  So many styles, quality levels and prices.  Something for everyone.   So I chose this lovely rust pair for wearing when I am not doing much and for going outside the house to appointments etc. 

and I chose this simple basic pair for if I am using paints and markers etc and also to sleep in and I won't be so worried if they pill.  Which they haven't yet.

I am so happy with them.  I also am happy because I realise from counting the stitches on these that I was casting on waaaaaay too many stitches, or rather the right amount of stitches just about, but using the bigger needles I wanted to use.

So now armed with this new knowledge I will attempt yet another pair.  But maybe not until the summer as my fingers and hands are not working too well at the moment.  But, if I find my knitting mojo again they will be ready for next winter.

I do love Etsy