A ode to two beloved chooks

For my sister, after her two feathered friends, Margot and Jacqueline sadly met their end.

Although Margot was apparently the more difficult one is life, Jacqueline ( the two toned one) proved to be the more troublesome in making. Although I can't really blame Jacq, i made soo many stupid and ridiculous mistakes I just shouldn't make on her and there was much unpicking and redoing ( I think 5 times). I think for me anyway the "better" I get at something the more likely I am to make these stupid errors, because I'm not needing to concentrate and it tends to be more mindless and perhaps you get a little cocky too. Have you found that ?

Or that last week just wasn't a good crafting week for me, 6 times dyeing a fabric, 2 reject bear heads and Jacq and her issues.

Anyway I hope she likes them. Hope Monday is a great day for you xo

Flea Market Finds

I didn't find a huge amount at the oppy this week, but then again I wasn't really looking. I actually went in only looking for a present for someone and vowing not to buy anything for me.....

But then I saw these two sweet bowls and plate and there were so cheap $2 for the lot, I couldn't resist. And I did sort of need a few more larger bowls and Breakfast size plates.

There were actually 5 more of the small green and white geometric bowl, but I like to have lots of different bowls rather than 6 of the same. And I'm not really the dinner party sort of gal.

For more finds stop by Sophies.

a Wonky Book

Yesterday my mum gave me this book she had found at a second hand bookshop. She thought of me as soon as she saw it, I'm sure you can see why... It's called Teddy's World by Mirja de Vries.

Not more needs to be said, really - sorry about the overload of images but they are just to good not to share, and there are soo many more in this wonderful book. I'm not sure if I've ever seen soo much wonk contained in one book! I'm a very lucky girl.

Bumbling along

images from here
I really love Miss Bumbles needle felting animals. To me they have a wonderful old fashioned, story book quality. To see more check her store on etsy.

A new friend

Yesterday when I got home there was a little package waiting for me.

The queen of bunnies herself Beck, had sent me this little guy she had found at the oppy.

I have named him Pouch - don't ask me why, but I think it suits him. He's wonderfully wonky nose and lopsidedness to him, just the way I like 'em.

Thankyou so much Beck I love him!

My creative space.

I'm working on a pair of chooks for my sister, she ordered after her partner rescued and caught one of them ( Jacqueline) as a thank you present for him. She wanted me to make an amigurumi version of Margot and Jacqueline, and to throw in a fluffy chick for good measure. Sadly just the other night a fox broke in, and killed both Margot and Jacqueline. I wasn't sure whether to persist with making them these chooks were like pets, but she urged me to. .

At the moment my version of Margot ( brown one ) is looking more like a empty beanbag with eyes, which is understandable considering she hasn't been stuffed and Jacqueline is still being crocheted.

There's also been a lot of dyeing going on here, and still with the same fabric. When it got up to the 6th time I dyed this fabric, I began to think I perhaps have a problem, but I knew that i wouldn't be happy after the 5th time.

For the hostess with the mostess check out Kirsty's for more creative spaces.

Return of Miss Fat Fingers

They're back. Red, itchy, painful and oh so attractive. Chilblains, and on my right hand of all hands.

As far as I'm aware there's nothing that can be done, just wait, wear gloves and don't stick them in front of the heater, but if anyone has a magic cure, I'd love one!

Gracie

I got Gracie last week for a real bargain at an auction last week. As soon as I saw her I knew I had to have her, and was lucky no one else was interested. I've always wanted a cow or calf but my back yard is so small and I'm not sure you can have cows or calves in the city, so she is perfect.
She's from about the 30's I think. I absolutely love her. Isn't she just devine?
For more great finds head over to Sophies.

A fabulous day

Today I had the pleasure of visiting Daylesford Organics.

It was lovely to see and hang with special Kate, and two of her gorgeous children- I think I want to kidnap Indi.

But the reason I was there was I was taking part in the Farm Tour Bren is running of the farm. It was totally wonderful, inspiring and excellent beyond words. I loved hearing more about the farming and I guess natural way the farm goes about things. We heard about how their chickens live the life of the gods, and met Bingo one of the "chicken" dogs who does a stellar job protecting them ( also very friendly), heard about his truly organic approach to the market garden and orchards, to the importance of feeding the soil and how to make excellent compost. We also got to taste some of the delicious produce, literally plucked from the earth.

(sorry about my lack of pics of anything other than chickens - you know how I love chickens-, I felt like a nong pulling my camera out after a while and just wanted to listen and take it in)

Bren is both so passionate about the farm and what they do and I always find people's love for things inspiring. It really was a priveledge. I can't enthuse about it enough, or recommend it highly enough. There is another farm tour next weekend, so if you can make it, it's a lovely day /afternoon outing.

thanks so much Bren and Kate and Indi and Pepper!

Home again home again jiggidy jig

I had a lovely time in Bondi, Sydney. my very short (less than 24 hours) trip.

It was lovely to see my aunt and her exhibition was amazing.

And I could resist while I was there, a trip to Kinokuniya Books, in central Sydney, which is not only huge but has a wonderful and large collection of both English and Japanese craft books. I was very tempted by very restrained ( walked out empty handed)

The highlight however was spotted outside the gallery , in what I thought was an abandoned guy, but nothing less the a cultured bear scupture.

As always however it's so nice to be home. I'm hopeless, I was far more excited coming home than going. Lets just say I'm a big fan of grey old, dumpy old Melbourne, my hometown, and driving back from the airport I could not wipe the smile off my face.

NO Kirky No!

Brett Kirk is retiring. My favourite footy player of all time.I think I'm in denial.

We're off

for a whirlwind trip to Sydney, going up for the night for my aunts opening and will be back tomorrow arvo. And how could I leave Wally behind, when he's so raring to go.

See tomorrow!

Of course it's Gosling

I'm not sure why I ever thought this guy was anything but Gosling. But luckily he saved himself from wrong naming, when on being called Gweedo, there was an uncomforable shuffle of paws and feet and then a quiet but polite little voice saying "excuse me, I think you might be mistaken, my name is Gosling"

Anyway here he is, little Gosling. A quiet but determined little bear, able to entertain himself for hours , of in his own little world, lover of jigsaw puzzles, building cubbies and peanut butter sandwiches.

I had lots of fun making him, it's a new mohair (always exciting). Gosling's been gently aged and is his tummy's understuffed with beads, giving him a lovely wonky, squishy, squidgy feeling , and wrinkly roly looking tummy.

He'll be hanging out here for the time being waiting for someone to take him home.

Getting my hands dirty

Well perhaps not quite. This week I'm attending a two day Permaculture course, because organic gardening, farming and of course chooks are things I'm all really interested in.

Wish me luck, I'm a total novice, so I'm a little nervous. But hopefully it should be fun and I'll learn some new stuff!

hope you have a wonderful weekend :)

My creative space

Just a new little guy I'm working on. This is one of the new mohairs I got at the Stitches and Craft last week, which I've been dying to use. It's so nice to be able to buy fabrics in the real and not online because the colours rarely look the same. This little bloke already has 3 possible names Bilby, Gweedo and Gosling and already his little personality is going through.It's funny with bears and bear making, sometimes the name doesn't come til the end, or I have to search or wait for it, but with this guy names seem to be coming to me all the time.

Also been doing lots of dyeing and test dyeing for the next edition of what you called the" foxy" bear

To see what everyone else is being making and creating visit Kirsty.

Book love

I have a real thing for children's books. I love all the old classics and vintage treasures and collect them from oppys , I also love a lot of the new books coming up from writers and illustrators today, and I think it's really important to support these people and encourage them too, after all these will be the new classics of the future. This book is a perfect case of that

I picked up Lost and Found on the weekend at my local bookshop, and I couldn't leave it behind. it's a gorgeous story of a boy and a lost penguin, that is moving, touching, surprising, funny and well about real stuff. I don't want to give to much away because the story is so delightful. I love the gorgeous illustrations by writer Oliver Jeffers, a mixture of primtive drawing and lovely watercolours.
Really for anyone with kids in my opinion it's a must ( or for anyone who is a big kid themselves). God I know I sound like a sales rep for this book ( i'm not) I just want everyone to read this book!!