Whatever makes you smile

Just a bit of show and tell for today.  I had one of those moments today when you finish some thing that has been an idea floating around in your head for quite some time.

Today I sewed the last piece in place, hung it up on the wall, took a step back, took a big deep breath, let out a sigh and then smiled.  It actually kind of looks like what I had envisioned, and I must admitted I am kind of chuffed with myself. 

I am not one to talk a lot about what I do (or as some people say brag) and I did struggle with the concept of actually doing this blog and the few market stalls that I have done (I struggle with a lot of self doubt) but I am finally learning that it is OK to be proud of what you make.  And if it makes you smile then that is OK too.

Anna
XO

Bunting Swap 2011

Did you take part in Rachael’s bunting swap?  I know a few people who did in blog land and what a wonderful idea it was.  How exciting it was to receive special little presents in the mail and not bills for a change.  These were my lovely surprises...

To Rachael and Kylie, thank you very much for my buntings they are beautiful.  I still haven’t decided how I’m going to display mine yet (I have lots of ideas running through my head), but as soon as I do I will make sure to let you all see. 

I have taken part in a few of these swaps over the years and have received some wonderful things.  I really do appreciate all the time and effort that it takes to organise so I am sending out a BIG thank you to those wonderful people who organise these swaps (whether I have taken part in yours or not). 

This is why I love about being part of the crafty blog community.

Anna

XO

P.S I forgot to mention here are some photos of the bunting that I sent out.  If you received one of mine I hope that you like it.

Coming back...

Should one ever feel guilty about the time that they spend away from their blog and those blogs that they follow?  I do.  Is that normal or is that because I put a lot of pressure on myself to make sure that I do everything or that I think that I can do everything?  Is this a female thing or is it a mother thing?  Wow this is now becoming way too deep. Really wasn’t planning on that. 

Unfortunately I have had to have an unscheduled, shall we call it ‘holiday’ from blog land as my real life got a little bit busy.  Bouts of sickness, an unplanned trip the emergency department for little O and several doctors appointments later, I am finally hoping that things will now start settling back into their normal routines.

During this time I was able to fit in a bit of not only hooky goodness but also some knitting and sewing.  On the weekend just gone I held my third ‘Esme Rudy’ stall at a local primary school spring fete.  Besides the weather being quite horrible in the morning (we’re talking heavy rain, wind and even hail), by lunch time it fined up and the rest of the day was quite pleasant. 

I met some wonderful women who had the surrounding stalls and they were very generous in the advice that they gave me about having a stall and working at markets. To Kylie, Annie and Olivia thank you for all the advice that you gave me.  It was very beneficial and will help me to plan on what direction I really want to take my work in, and for also making the time fly.  It really is a good day when you met lovely people and have great conversations.

So what did I make I hear you ask.  Well I went from our kitchen table looking like this...

Yes they are freaky little eyes looking out at you.

 ...to having a fantastic stall like this...

To everyone that bought some of my stuff I hope that it brings you as much happiness as it did as I was making it.

I hope that you are all well out there in blog land.

Anna
XO

Just remember to breath deeply and stay calm

What does one do when you come back from a quick trip to the toilet to find this...

You must remember to breath deeply...


close your eyes...


and


slowly count to three...

one...


two...


three...


That way when you open your eyes again you do not scream or yell or throw your arms around like a crazy woman and scare the living daylights out of your two year old.


And this wasn't the only mess, Little O decided that he was going to play in the creation that he had made and was covered from head to toe, in the sticky mess that is raw eggs.  I know I want my child to be creative but this was SOOOO not the time or the place.

But I did feel very guilty for getting angry with him after we went for a little walk to relax and he picked these and gave them to me...

Now how can I be angry with him?


Anna
XO

One day when I grow up...

So my new found obsession is Pinterest.  I must admit not a lot of hooky work is actually happening at the moment.  But I think I need to share with you my favorite pictures so far. 

When I was little I always wanted a tree house.  My Dad did try and make this a reality for me (a small platform up in an old cherry tree) but I always dreamed of something bigger.  And Pinterest has shared this dream with me.  Take a look at these.  Is it too late at thirty something to move into a tree house?

1. nowthatsnifty.blogspot.com. 2. sunsurfer.tumblr.com 3. lovelylisting.icanhascheezburger.com 4.sisterspock.tumblr.com 5.sunsurfer.tumblr.com 6. pinterest.com/esmerudy/when-i-grow-up 7. nowthatsnifty.blogspot.com8. webecoist.com/2010/10/18/hobbit-houses-15-grassy-hill-shaped-dwellings/
9. moonlightrainbow.tumblr.com/post/3580826504

 Ok so technically the last two aren't tree houses, but if I couldn't live in a tree then I want to live in a hobbit hole.

If you could live in a tree or the ground which one would you choose?

Anna
XO

Trash or Treasure

I love a good market.  Whether it is a local farmers market, art and craft or a trash and treasure, I love going to them all.  Recently I rediscovered a local trash and treasure.  I remember going a few years back but then it was a little one with a few stalls and a bit more on the trash side then treasure.  A couple of weeks ago I saw a poster advertising it and decided I should go back and have another look.  Sometimes C is happy to go on these adventures with me and other times I know he was wishing he was somewhere else, so this time I decided to give him and early Father’s Day present and let him have a big sleep in (which he complains a lot about how he doesn’t get them anymore), and take Little O with me for our own adventure.  Wow! How it has changed.  Besides being almost 3 times as big as it was last time I was there the range of stalls was incredible.  Lots of plant stalls, fresh flowers, homemade jams and chutneys, new products and lots of little trash and treasure stands (and I mean the good treasure).  When I go to these markets I usually go with a limit set on how much money I can spend.  I have been known to spend quite a bit.  So if there is not enough money in my purse, then I can’t buy it.  Only once over my many years of market shopping have I truly regretted this rule, but it does save me from buying a lot of unnecessary things (or dust collectors as I have been told).

So what did I buy this time I hear you say...

well come and view my treasures...

The hand statue being the perfect ring holder for when I do the dishes, bright vintage fabric for only $1 (a meter and a half, what a score!), a perfect pattern book for little people (loving the gorgeous crochet booties), the tiniest  of crochet hooks, a sock darning mushroom (I have been looking for one of these for quite a while, my heart skipped a little beat when I saw it, yes I know very sad, I get excited over the smallest and weirdest things), and finally a bunch of the most beautiful smelling freesia’s I have ever had and the prettiest of colours.  We also stopped and had a little morning tea snack of freshly made cinnamon donuts and lemonade. 

So a successful day for Little O and myself and a relaxing start to the day for C.

What’s your greatest trash and treasure find?

Anna

XO

P.S On a side note I would like to say a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to a very close friend of ours.  Miss A has taken the big step and has moved out of her family home.  She has spread her wings and taken a big leap into adulthood.  Not a big feat some might say, it happens all the time, but for someone who is legally blind and has Cerebral Palsy this is no little thing.  We will be with you the whole way Miss A for whatever help and support you may need.  Love you.

Wow, where did those two hours go?

So I've just joined Pinterest (yes I know a little behind the times).  I put Little O down for his afternoon nap and he's just woken up.   Wow that was a quick nap I'm thinking to myself, only to look at the clock and realise that two, yes you read that right, two hours have gone by. No house work, no hooky (crochet), not even a snack to eat, but plenty of "oh what a great idea, I wish I could do that, that's beautiful" and plenty of laughter later. I think I might have to set myself some time limits otherwise nothing will get done.

Hope you are enjoy the first day of Spring in this beautiful sunshine.

Anna
XO