I blinked, I missed it!

The Schools Hols are rapidly drawing to an end.

My absolute favourite hols these ones ... weather has been

good and bad, but I must admit to favouring the 'bad'.

Lots of rain, lots of guilt free PJ time, hanging with friends,

watching movies, making up dance routines, (Little P that is)

although I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day!

Plan on getting busy with the sewing machine next week.

For my Dad

I'm thinking of him. without going into the long story that it is,

my Dad and I haven't lived under the same roof since I was 13.

This is my favourite picture of us together,

in fact, it might be the only one of just the 2 of us.

lovey, dovey.

Love Rules OK?!

Card is made by Little P.

Pop up style.

Valentine's Day is an anniversary for Big D and I.

It's the first time we kissed ... if you get my drift.

It's been 16 years since that first kiss.

Life propels us in a continuous motion forward.

It's unpredictable (control freaks beware).

It's that unpredictability that makes it exciting.

I think it's best summed up by Tim Minchin (from Matilda The Musical):

'Just because you think that life's not fair, it

Doesn't mean you have to grin and

bear it.

If you always take it on the chin and wear it,

nothing will change.

Just because I find myself in this story,

It doesn't mean that everything is written for

me.

If I think the ending is fixed already,

I might as well be saying I think that it's OK,

And that's not right!

And if it's not right,

You have to put it right!'

Christmas Fairy

Stuck for a gift idea? This came from a friend of ours (thank you Sarah).

Inside the lid is the recipe for cranberry and white chocolate cookies.

Bloody brilliant!

Traditions

Our favourite thing to do at this time of year is to take comfort in making

our own decorations & wrapping paper, we also love to make our own jams/chutney's etc.

Big D and I have done this since little P was born.

It's fantastic now that she's 8, because she is wholeheartedly involved

in both these traditions.

When you have your own household traditions for Christmas,

beyond just decorating the tree, it seems

to take the edge off the mass consumer mentality that goes on

outside the home. Yes Christmas is a mad time of year, and people really

go crazy with the spending ... trying to fill a void maybe? keeping up with

the Jones's maybe? What ever the reason, it's just stuff, it's not going to

make you feel any better about life. Where as actually making stuff can,

there's something comforting about getting out the

hand made decorations every year, they are without

doubt, our most favourite!

It really doesn't take much time to make things,

and they aren't going to be 'perfect' but that's

where the love is .... hopping in the car,

driving to the shops, finding a car space blah, etc

takes a lot more time, and a lot less thought.

(pics from Family Circle 'Homemade Jams & Preserves' brilliant book).

Grow some baubles.

Baubles, hand made fabric ones ... simple and easy to make, good for using up scraps.

I was doing paper mache with Little P, which naturally lead on to

'fabric mache' - photos soon from that experiment!

Hip (H)op - happy!

Orange and white floral and spots, linen mix I think.

Geometric pinks and orange.

And my favourite ... stripes.

Also found this rather fetching piece. Love the cross-stitch effect.

Made in Japan, cute as a button!

Santa - The Biggest Loser?

I wonder which cafe they will congregate at every Sunday Morning?

Found at the oppy - too good to pass up!

Flashback ... of the craft kind

This is the first thing I ever made.

I made this kitten when I was 9 years old, at Zetland Primary School,

Redcar, in Northern England.

I gave it to my Gran, and it lived at her house, until she died,

then it came across the sea, to live with me.

13 years ago ...

our place ... lately.

Found at the oppy, a rare find, my local Vinnies has gone to the dogs.

They no longer put things on the floor as they come in, instead they are

sending everything to a central warehouse, and in turn receiving stuff

from a central warehouse, so the stock is not the same. It's bland, homogenised.

I wonder how much ends up in the bin now?

Gone are the old girls sitting at the till in a dimly lit store, pontificating

the cost of living, and young people's lack of manners - I miss them.

Found at the bottom of the garden.

These appeal to the old girl in me!

Sew (more show than tell).

The pattern.

Serious face, don't know why!

I've made a couple of these maxi skirts, even though I'm short!

But, who follows fashion rules?

More showing the fabric and my funny toes than the skirt!

This in mid-length style with side pockets.

Found Picture #2

Hungary, a tree somewhere ... early 60's.

Father of little girl in previous picture in white T.shirt.

Pre marriage, children & Sydney.

Found Photo #1

Bondi, block of flats, early 70's.

I feel strange owning this photo.

I'm the custodian of this photo.

it comes to be in my possession by default.

I'm not related to this little girl.

She is from Hungary, and immigrated here with her

father and mother in the 1970's.

her Mother didn't like Sydney,

or she didn't like her father, either way, she returned to Hungary.

Her father stayed in Syndey, and married

Big D's Nan (2nd mariage on both parts) sometime in the 1980's, whereupon

this little girl returned to Hungry.

When Big D's Nan passed away, we found a bag of

photos ... and they were going to be thrown away.

We decided we would keep them.

Goodness Gracious!

Long time between posts. Seasonal depression getting to me I think, freaking cold.

All is good at chez Ethel and Fred, the usual winter stuff .... living for food!

Sorting through 'stuff' the material things, ergo the pic, some of my

necklaces. Little P used to call them 'neck-ins' cute, so literal.

Looking forward to the School Hols,

lots more time to hang out in jammies,

hopefully some creative pursuits too!

love. ghostpatrol.

Just popping in to share this image with you.

I've been in love with Ghostpatrol's work for ages now, I first saw

his work in Lorne Vic, when we did our roadtrip last Easter, there's a mural

on the side of a building ... funny place for a mural, not the side of a wall,

but Lorne, being so far from the city.

Winter is well and truly upon us,

we are just snuggling up at nights

eating lots of casserole type things.

Planning some sewing soon, it's been a bit

quite on the making front lately, plan on rectifying this soon!

Until then, stay warm and toasted!

Little P - Personified!

Of all the photos I have of Little P, this one is my favourite,

it most definitely captures her true spirit.

The wild hair, the joyous laughter, and the dancing!

Taken last year by my dear friend Tess Peni, at her daughter's birthday party.

(Tess does amazing things with a camera)!

If ever I'm feeling a bit blue, I look at this picture,

it reminds me to keep positive,

to stay firmly in the moment - and enjoy it all.

Creative kids at Artspark

I've been helping out with sewing at Artspark Studios in Rozelle (Sydney).

The creativity of the children is truly inspiring.

These strip bags (please no credit to me, these were designed by a lady

from Artspark) were part of a 1 day workshop for 5-10 year olds.

They all did an amazing job, and kept their enthusiasm up for the whole day.

There's something magical about making things yourself, and being able

to share this, and pass on the knowledge to a new generation is

just a joyous experience!

As Skyhooks once sang 'I like it both ways'

Reversible smock, custom order for a friend, pattern is my own,

the most simple dress to make.

The print is vintage brushed cotton, with a red denim as the plain fabric.

We've been in throws of moving, so my blog has been a little

neglected of late ... my studio is still mostly in boxes, but the shelves

are ready, and my machines are out, a good start.

Works on wood

Little P made this beautiful cross entirely from scratch, She loves nothing more than hammering a few nails into wood. I really like what she did with the top part of this, water colours. Colour choice comes so naturally to kids, they rarely hesitate, I admire that!