Framed

The obligatory bimonthly trip to IKEA was yesterday. This trip the only item not on my list purchased was fabric and really, that is a necessity isn't it.

Frames are always on list, but this time I bought white and I love the look. Pictures on the walls makes me happy, along with fresh flowers, which now tulips are back in season I must start buying again. We have a lot on the wall, but still lots of space which calls for some larger pieces. I have a couple of original pieces waiting to be framed but they demand professional framing and it's so expensive. One piece, an original painting on paper by a dear friend, the last quote I got was over $300. I love the piece, but find it hard to figure the framing in and we've had it in a tube for literally, years.

The pieces in this photo aren't original, although I would love one - you can find them here.

Insitu

We don't subscribe to the neat bed look in our house. We all have doonas and whilst we try and straighten and smooth them each morning, it's not a high priority. I know my mum said a while ago that in years gone by it was a measure of how a woman kept house, a source of gossip "you know the beds weren't made!", so I'm making myself a potential target by not "dressing" this photo more.

Ella's bed is only a 3/4 bed and the quilt is a full single size, but we love the look of it draped casually over just the same.

Update

Finally got around to updating my etsy shop with some of the stock from the market. I must confess that I conked out after 4 listings. Is it just because I have a crappy computer, or does everyone find uploading photos to etsy exhausting? I'm going to try the Australian Madeit, but feel a bit lazy in learning new processes right now - how sad am I.

Mother's Day

For us spent having breakfast with my parents at The Red Shed. This place is so me, everything I love and would love to have. The building is the type of design Geoff and I would like in the new house we're hoping to build within the next 5+years. The cafe is everything I dream of owning for myself. It's not too big, it's not trying to be everything to everyone, it's just concentrating on what they do best. It's kept small and manageable. It's visiting this type of place, thinking about all it would be to me, that makes my chest feel tight and my heart beat a little faster. I'm thinking of this as a venue for something for my 40th later this year. It's not flashy, but so comfortable, tasty, relaxed and beautiful views all around. If you haven't been - go.

Mother's Day, my girls, my mum, my father and my husband. My life reflected back at me in my girls, my past and my future, all the things I've achieved and all the dreams I still have. My life at around the half way point, theirs just at the beginning. They may have the benefit of more years on their side, but I refuse to believe that my age will prevent me from achieving the many dreams I still have, unless I let it.

Happy Mother's Day to you and yours.

Queen Bee

I finished Ella's quilt last night and I have to say, very satisfying. I was always looking forward to the actual quilting and binding part the most, and I did find it the most enjoyable. I can see why quilt making becomes a habit.

I machine quilted, I am not patient enough to do that by hand. I did buy a quilting foot and experimented with it. I liked the free movement, but found it hard to keep my speed consistent enough to keep the stitch sizes the same. I ended up using the normal foot which meant the stitches were the same size, but the movements not as fluid. It's far from flawless, but I'm really pleased with it. It's a fairly light quilt with only a cotton batting inside, but gosh, it's so snuggy. Leila's next then I've already worded up Geoff that I'm going to make one for our bed, although I had to promise I won't make that from pieces of our old clothes.

When Ella's in dry again I'll post a picture of it on the bed so I show more than just the binding.

$41 + knobs + elbow grease

While Ella was at school today I did an extra coat of varnish to the top, added china handles and lined the drawers with deep purple paper. I moved it into her room, reorganised everything and when she came home it was there, as if it always had been. These photos were taken about a minute after she'd arrived home. I suspect it's going to be her new favourite place.

Useless

Can you believe the only thing I forgot when setting up my stall on Saturday was the camera, so I have not one single shot of the girls all laid out. My first market and I probably won't be doing another for quite some time, although not because it wasn't enjoyable, simply because it took over my life. The relief I feel at not having to sew every single moment, well, it's lovely. Great success though, both the fun day and the market, such a wonderful effort on the part of so many parents and teachers.

I learned the the less expensively priced items were most popular. I made a pattern for and produced a number of pure wool felt hippos from them, which were a huge hit. I wanted time to make more felt animals, but the dolls take so much time I ran out, of time that is. I sold a few dolls and received order for another, but nothing to get overwhelmed by. I made enough to buy a pair of gorgeous pants - I can't recommend them enough - so simple but on soooo slimming (which we all love) and just so nice - do check out Nicole's market visits.

So, now I'm going to restock my etsy shop and try the Made It Australian equivalent - has anyone used it? I'll just list a couple of items and check the response.

Now I'm onto my list of other "to-do's" which include a desk for Ella. I bought an old pine desk on ebay recently and today sanded it all back and have started varnishing it. I've also bought some china handles to jazz it up and some nice paper to line the drawers with. I'll show you what this duckling turns into when she's all done.