happy new year

I've never really come up with a 'clever' new years resolution to date.  Some people seem to have something fabulous worked out and i'm suspiscious they've been thinking about it for ages, just saving it up for the big day!

When i was younger,  the age old  'lose weight'  resolution was always at the top of the list, but like most 'diets' it  NEVER worked.  I would usually give in to hunger pangs about 2 days later and forget the resolution soon thereafter...

If I had to pick one for this year, then it's got to be ... STOP BITING MY NAILS ...I'm just so bad at that. 

Seriously though, i think if you want something to change, it doesn't matter what day you choose, but it's got to be a life decision.   Good luck with your resolutions and on that note ....

HAPPY NEW YEAR       and all the best for a healthy, happy, fun 2012.  ciao x

... the aim...

 

 

... the dream ...

... or just take the easy way out for everything!  ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR  ... here comes 2012 ...

~  happy new year  ~

child free days

so... I've been INCREDIBLY lucky this week ... my brother and sister-in-law have begged? us to have the kids for a sleepover...

pinch me...  i'm dreaming...  I've been away from the kids about 1 night in 10 years - so it's been weird, but I'm enjoying the peace and quiet.

they'll be back tomorrow, so i've been busy in my studio and down at the sewing table ...  wahoo!!!

this is where the action takes place ... my favourite 2nd hand elna sewing machine - just like my mums (so i know how to use it)

my selection of new iphone pouches ... soon to be listed on Etsy

and these little darlings are canvas tiles ... people use them to make jewellery (necklaces), add to journals, include in artwork, just let your imagination go...  also to be listed soon on Etsy...

~  make hay while the sun shines  ~

inspiration ...

I've been a bit slack in the 'creative' department lately.  Since the mayhem of Christmas, I've been making the most of being able to chill out at home and take things at a slower pace.   

Today, I found these beautifully, delicate artworks on Pinterest, and have traced them back to a very talented artist ~ LilyMoon on Etsy.   Just have to share with you.

I'm inspired!  Back to the studio tomorrow...

all images available through the online Etsy store - LilyMoon

~  lovely inspiration  ~

my 'dear photograph'

A while ago I did a blog post about the website, Dear Photograph and decided I'd love to give it a go with some of our family photographs.

Over Christmas, I managed to get these photos back at our old family home (and thank you to Luke, the current occupant for indulging me).  I'm so glad I did - a lovely nostalgic trip, bringing back plenty of happy memories.

Dear Photograph ... we didn't have much room in our back yard, but still managed to have lots of fun regardless...

Dear Photograph ... wherever we were going, it was always together ...

Dear Photograph ... I remember feeling like the most beautiful Japanese girl in town ...

Dear Photograph ... I don't remember this one, but realise wanting to be a fairy is still at the top of every little girls dream ...

Dear Photograph ... there she is... my big sister and still my best friend ...

Dear Photograph ... It's like mum has just stepped outside onto our front patio with my big brother and I want it to last forever ...

... and for something completely different ... still related to my trip away at Christmas  ... my first pomegranate ... a bit tricky to eat, but what I did try was very tasty ...

~  it's never too late to try something new  ~

clean up time

... somehow in a matter of days, our house went from super neat to resembling something hit by a bomb - and we weren't even HOME For Christmas! 

I am sort of unpacked, but feel like it's going to be a few days before the place is back to normal, so if I'm a bit slow at my 'social networking' it's because I'm still doing the household chores ...

from ho ho ho     to     ho hum...           O_O

images via Pinterest - clutter

~ too tired to bother ... starting tomorrow  ~

... almost there ...

finally got my paperwork (real work) done and had a chance to create 2 new French Market Bags  yesterday! wahoo...

... as well as find more lovely Christmas images on Pinterest ...

~   2 more sleeps ...  ~

food for thought ...

he's right you know ...

~  find the courage to change your life  ~

bush christmas

... i'm getting there and our house is starting to look more like Christmas is coming ...

my tea towel (dish towel)

our kids are definitely into it...

cute shabby tin sign i bought a few years ago...

... and closer

decorations on the verandah ...

our very own tree ...

santa in front of the grapevine...

close up sparkly decorations ...

and again ...

supercute snowglobe on the reading/coffee table ...

my attempt at 'lighting' up ...

'artistic' shot of the lights ...

kids eagerly decorated our tree ...  there's a funny story behind the Xmas star on top of the tree...  it was given to one of the kids about 4 years ago and it's broken, so I have turfed it out several times and the kids keep bringing it back from the dump, (on our property) so it has now earned it's place on the tree ... after a trip through the dishwasher...

some sort of weed in the garden, but close enough to holly for me...

close up ...

... last but not least, something to 'cork' the wine ...

this has been fun!  have you all been doing something creative at your place???



~ loving the spirit of Christmas  ~