We have been busy with assorted christmas parties and end of year events.  Even those these aren’t crafty things – here is some stuff that I have MADE.

I made some santa cupcakes for our work party  (still a great recipe Shenry!)

and some tea cups for the kindy art show.

I saw these made by someone whose blog I read regularly. But now I can’t remember who it was.  They are made from tic toc biscuits as the base and use a glue of water and icing sugar to stick them all together.

This is from the art show too, it is her sewing. I am so proud.

We also had the kindy disco and quickly whipped up this dress the day before.

and I made some playdoh for the kids to keep them amused on a hot day,

and to top it all off, we put up our christmas tree.

I have been doing some sewing and crocheting and other crafty things.  I just can’t show you – it’s that time of year.

I took the kids on a road trip and thought I would bore you with some photos.

I had a great time and it was nice just to hang out with the kids away from home, with not so many rules.  We split the trip into smaller chunks and only drove about 4 hours each day.

We headed south to see the sights of sydney and spend some time with friends.

Then we spent a couple of days at a Farm Stay at Nelson Bay (near Newcastle).

It was very basic but it was very fun.

We had our own chook pen to collect eggs from.  And you know that you are in trouble when in front of your cabin is an assortment of Gumboots for you all to wear.

Every afternoon we did the rounds with farmer Scott.  We milked the cow; bottle fed the baby calf and goat; played with the baby chicks; fed the ducks, geese, chickens, sheep, goats, alpacas and pony; sat on the donkey, brushed the pig (with a toilet brush!) and threw the ball to Bob the dog.  Good ‘not so’ clean fun.

The kids became so confident and mature around the animals very quickly.

Nelson bay is a beautiful spot and I fell in love with the beach at Shoal Bay.  We went every chance we had.

This was one holiday that I didn’t want to come home from.  (except to see my darling husband – who had to work).

I have been hiding away, busy with work and family and not much crafting.

Last week the kids and I went to Melbourne for a week to have some much needed family time.

We did all of the touristy things and I got the chance to catch up with a couple of old friends and spend some time with my Husband.

Victoria markets was fun and we came home with a bumble bee and a dragon. Both of which now have UGG boots.



Time in Melbourne for a little boy is just the best thing ever. One day was just spent with a met card catching trams and trains in and around the city.

While there we visited St Kilda sampling some yummy cakes on Acland Street and then a few rides at Luna Park.

We also spent a day at the snow at Lake Mountain

and went to the Melbourne Zoo. It was fantastic and probably one of the best zoos that I have been too.

I won’t say that I am glad to be home. I loved it down there and could have stayed a lot longer.

LAST MONTH ….my kids had their birthdays.



They turned two and four within a week of each other. We had a joint celebration.



It was also a farewell to my husband who is away for work for a few months.

My little girl loves dressing up. Most days she is a fairy or a princess and more recently an action hero. She only wears normal clothes out of the house. On her birthday she managed to wear all of her new outfits.

LAST WEEK …was tough.

no crafting. busy at work. sick cat. husband away. but we got through it.

LAST WEEKEND ….my little girl had her first ballet lesson.

She is really growing up. Watching her dance with the other little girls almost made me cry a few times.

and my little boy went to his first football (NRL/ league) game with my family.

He had fun even though his team wasn’t playing.


It was also his first bus ride which I think he found just as exciting. Unfortunately this is the face we get when we ask him to smile.

Now that we are back on track and back to a somewhat normal routine.  I am hoping that some more crafting gets done and I find some time to blog about it.

Lucky me is on holidays (for another 4 days).  We went to Alexandra Headlands for a week, which is just over an hours drive. It was nice to get away to the beach and we enjoyed some sunny days.

We had a great time.

And after a visit to Eumundi Markets and our favourite costume stall …. ballet lessons are now a new priority.

ANYWAY back to my craftjunk …. While away I was reading blogs. Chaletgirl couldn’t stop going on and on about beautiful fabric and discussing the oh-franson quilt along. I couldn’t help myself. I had to be involved.

Soon as we got home (within a few hours) I dove into my stash to find 6 fat quarters. Inspired my Sheridans prints and solids I was looking for 6 favourite prints.  The plan was to match them with some cheap homespun/quilters cotton solids – thus reducing the financial outlay for yet ANOTHER quilt. I did it for a smidgen under $20.

The 6 that I picked were from my treasured Amy Butler Collection. They are from her ginger bliss range.

I bought the prints as a fat quarter pack years ago; with my friend Sheridan. This is probably the first lot of designer fabric that I bought and it certainly was my first introduction to Amy. We got them at the first real craft show that we went to together in Sydney (I don’t count the Rosehill one). So this group of fabric is very special to me and has lots of memories. And now I have cut it.

I am looking forward to doing the sampler quilt. It looks like it will be a great pattern and there was no way that I could not be involved. I haven’t bought the sashing or backing yet as I thought I would wait until I get the blocks together to see how they look.



I also noticed that the first lot of sewing instructions is up today. Bring it on.

This week my little girl started Kindy – Kindergarten / Pre-School

In Queensland the first year of school is Prep. So Kindy is pre-prep.

She will go two days a week. This is her first real time away from the house and in the care of others (well since she was a baby).






There were no tears …. from either of us.

However her little brother wanted to go to and found things just like she had – like a hat and backpack. He really missed her.

She had a great day and remarked that she wanted to go back “tomorrow”. When we said that she would have to wait another week, we were promptly told “I’ll stay the night at kindy – don’t pick me up!”

It was a big day for her – and for us too.

It is getting so close to Christmas now that I don’t think that it matters if I post about the christmas presents that I have made my family. I am pretty sure they don’t look at my blog anyway.

Last year I took the handmade pledge. This year it seemed all a bit too hard. I don’t have the time and unfortunately with the bad exchange rate, buying on esty isn’t as cheap as it used to be.

For my nephews I made a basic qulit/playmat out of two road panels. It was a pretty quick project. I used some basting spay to adhere some batting to the wrong side of one panel. Then with right sides together, I sewed them up, turned them inside out and then topstitched a border.

As ususal it is difficult to get a photo of a quilt on the floor without ruckus (the cat) being involved.

For little Toby I made him a robot too, because all of the other cousins got one last christmas (see here).

I made my step mum a project bag. Last Christmas I have her something with a simple drawstring basg as the wrapping. I think that she used thatm ore than the gift iteself. So I made her a simple bag using corduroy as the main fabric and some of my favourite scraps for the pockets.

I wanted the pockets to be big enough to hold magazines on the sides. I also really wanted it to have long handles, but didn’t have enough fabric.

I love it so much. I love it so much athat I decided to keep it for myself and I made her another one.

Is that wrong?

I have decided that I am not going to buy toys for Christmas …. I am just going to leave the pantry door open instead!!!

I visited my sister last week. She is living temporarily in my grandparents house. They no longer live there, my grandmother passed many years ago and my grandfather has recently moved into a care facility.  The treasures and trinkets of their lives still remain.

I knew they had hobbies but it wasn’t until I had my camera in my hand I realised how much they enjoyed being crafty and displaying their creations.

My grandfather did tapestries and the walls are covered with his works. A lot of them are Australian scenes.

His collection of embroidery threads is astounding and now I am the lucky caretaker of them.


He also did woodwork and there are bowls and cups and stools littered through out the house.

They lived near the beach and collecting sea shells was a passion of my grandmothers. I found not 1 but 3 shell maps of Australia.






She also loved Macrame which now seems to be a lost art. Plant hangers, light shades and numerous decorations are hanging everywhere.

Their house is almost a museum of their lives and their passions.  Family that pass through and stay keep it livable and tidy.

I can’t help but think how much of my craft will remain and be admired by not only my children but my grandchildren when I’m gone.  Is it because I see the value in handmade that I treasure these articles.  Or will it be swept aside and seen as junk and clutter by those that don’t understand.

It was my birthday earlier this week and just wanted to show off some wonderful gifts the fabulous sheridan sent me.

She made me a gorgeous swing bag – they are SOOOO my colours too. I love it and have already filled it full of junk.



She also gave me an a new gadget, a bobin sidewinder. It looks very cool and can already see how handy it will be. Also in the package was some beautiful “autumn” colours japanese fabric and a tape measure which she covered.

Thankyou, Thankyou I love it all.

My darling husband bought me tickets to see the new Cirque De Soleil show Dralion when it comes to town at Christmas. I am very excited about it – only a few more months to wait.

And my sister was getting rid of some handbag supplies and crochet cotton that she didn’t think that she would use anymore.  I know I will come up with some projects for them, can’t let good supplies go to waste.



I also got vouchers and cash that will go to some more craft supplies!! – books from amazon, wool from bendigo …. the list goes on.

Overall it was a pretty ho hum day. I had to work and my hubby had to work that night so no major celebration – just the quiet passing of another year.