Goodbye 2008.

Sydney Fireworks NYE, originally uploaded by Marv!.

It's been a year of ups and downs, new beginnings and change.
It's been exhausting , exciting and even a little bit tiring but in a good way.
I'd just like to say thankyou to everyone that stops by, thanks for all the positive comments and encouragement. Thanks to new friends and family.
I wish you all the very best for a safe and happy New Year, see you in 2009!

Merry Christmas!

shiny brite ornaments, originally uploaded by suzanneduda.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!
Catch you all soon x

My Secret Santa.

At my work every year we have a Kris Kringle gift swap and somehow my great friend Cathy and I always end up buying for each other.
It's supposed to be anonymous. Ok, so it's totally rigged but I'm not complaining, oh no, it's quite the opposite.
We always get something really great for each other 'cause we know each other so well.
This year she's really outdone herself, I got this gorgeous, wooden brooch by Blink Designs of Melbourne.
After checking on the net I have found they have other beautiful creations too! You can check them out here.
Isn't it wonderfully sweet.
Thanks Cathy

Finished Stitching!

I finished my stitching, hooray!
Just in time too as I am giving it to a friend.
I was actually tempted to keep it myself, so tempted that I quickly started on another one.
At last, a project I finished and on time too! I'm very proud of myself.
I've also got back into beading lately so there is an extra bit of handmade in this gift.

Christmas Traditions.

In our family we have some strange christmas traditions.
One of which happens to be the annual trip into the city for The wiggles Christmas concert.
This year the seven year old of the family has decided he is now far too old for The Wiggles and will no longer participate, however the three year old is very keen and so we will pack the bag, drive to the big city, fight the giant sea of munchkins (most of them will be in tears by this stage) and endure the wiggles for another year.
Wish me luck.



This was when Duncan was 3 and a huge Wiggles fan. He's more of a Beastie Boys kind of guy these days.

Vintage Santa!

Yo, Santa!, originally uploaded by froggyboggler, in & out for the holidays.

4 more sleeps,I'm so excited!

The Worlds Longest Meme

Vintage Paris Eiffle Tower Pin Brooch, originally uploaded by Caton Darling and Moore.

I found this via The Princess And The Monkey.
It's the longest me me I've ever seen so i just had to give it a go.
I came to the conclusion that I need to go to France asap!
Let me know if you give it a go.


Things you have done - in bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven't done and don't want to - leave in plain font

1. started your own blog
2. slept under the stars
3. played in a band
4. visited hawaii
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more than you can afford to charity
7. been to disneyland/world
8. climbed a mountain
9. held a praying mantis
10. sang a solo
11. bungee jumped
12. visited paris
13. watched a lightning storm at sea
14. taught yourself an art from scratch
15. adopted a child
16. had food poisoning
17. walked to the top of the statue of liberty
18. grown your own vegetables
19. seen the mona lisa in france
20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight
22. hitch hiked
23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb
26. gone skinny dipping
27. run a marathon
28. ridden a gondola in venice
29. seen a total eclipse
30. watched a sunrise or sunset
31. hit a home run
32. been on a cruise
33. seen niagara falls in person
34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. seen an amish community
36. taught yourself a new language (does an attempt count?)
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. seen the leaning tower of pisa in person
39. gone rock climbing
40. seen michelangelo's david in person
41. sung karaoke
42. seen old faithful geyser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. visited africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
46. been transported in an ambulance
47. had your portrait painted
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. seen the sistene chapel in person
50. been to the top of the eiffel tower in paris
51. gone scuba diving or snorkelling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud
54. gone to a drive-in theatre
55. been in a movie
56. visited the great wall of china
57. started a business
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited russia
60. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold girl scout cookies.
62. gone whale watching
63. gotten flowers for no reason
64. donated blood
65. gone sky diving
66. visited a nazi concentration camp
67. bounced a cheque
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the lincoln memorial
71. eaten caviar
72. pieced a quilt
73. stood in times square
74. toured the everglades
75. been fired from a job
76. seen the changing of the guard in london
77. broken a bone
78. been on a speeding motorcycle
79. seen the grand canyon in person
80. published a book
81. visited the vatican
82. bought a brand new car
83. walked in jerusalem
84. had your picture in the newspaper
85. read the entire bible
86. visited the white house
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. had chickenpox
89. saved someone’s life
90. sat on a jury
91. met someone famous
92. joined a book club
93. lost a loved one
94. had a baby
95. seen the alamo in person.
96. swum in the great salt lake.
97. been involved in a law suit
98. owned a cell phone
99. been stung by a bee

Rudolf Rocks!

Eye Spy Sunday- A Bit Of Bling.

I'm playing along with Cindy over at Bug And Pop and thanks to Miss Hoppo Bumpo for this weeks great theme, A Bit Of Bling!!!
To me Christmas IS bling!
I love the ornaments so beautiful, shiny and glittery. I love the sparkley tinsel but most of all I love, love, love LIGHTS !!!!!!!!!

This year I'm suffering terrible withdrawals as we no longer have a whole house to decorate.
I used to set aside a whole day to spend in the sunshine, taking in the views with the phone down my pants in case of emergencies, while I blinged my rooftop.
I could put the Griswalds to shame.
This year however we have downsized, we are living in a rather small unit and I am limited to just three sets of lights.
Anyway I get to put up my very favorite lights, they are like those old fashioned bulbs from the nineteen fifties and i adore them, see what you think..................

Gingerbread House Part 2.

Ok so it didn't quite turn out like the gingerbread ferris wheel, in fact it looks nothing like it.
It was fun, that's the main thing.
It looks like we had some sort of lolly explosion and well, I guess we did.
Emily got right into the spirit and decided to build a fence around the house, once she realised the icing tastes pretty good it was all down hill from there.
She also decided it was more fun to ice her own fingers with the icing bag.
Duncan became very creative and built licorice allsort robots.
Thanks to Ben for his super special musk stick guttering.
Don't you just love Christmas!

Gingerbread House

Gingerbread House Displays at the George Eastman House - December 2, 2007, originally uploaded by Zeus_the_Ferret.

Today we are going to attempt to make our annual gingerbread house!
One day I hope to make one as awesome as this, it's not really a house but the gingerbread is there.
Wish me luck.

Happily Stitching Along With Mike.

This is it so far and so far so good I feel.
I have really enjoyed the whole process so far, this is my very first attempt at embroidery.
I am going to attempt a second stocking too, just hope I can get them finished in time.
Thanks to Pip at Meet Me At Mikes for this great project.

And So It Begins!

My holidays have started AND so have the school holidays!
Break out the Sing Star!!!
Please hurry Santa!!!!

Love Fridays.

happy holidays!, originally uploaded by pinkorchid_too.

It's official!
No more work 'till mid January, YYYYYYAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!
Today was my last day, just as well 'cause I kind of fizzled out toward the end there and the holidays have come just in time.
Just a few more things to do before the big day and I will be putting my feet up!
That's why I love this Friday.
Happy Holidays everyone!

Happy holidays, originally uploaded by pinkorchid_too. Flickr

A Room With A View

Had a wonderful weekend in the Hunter Valley.
Lots of great wine, wineries, food and fun.
Here's the view from our spa villa that was right in the middle of the vineyards, ooh la la!
More pics to come.

Eye Spy Sunday - A Burst Of Colour.

I went away on the weekend with my special someone and we found this burst of colour in the garden.
He was a resident of the place we stayed at, I think it was their watch dog ( or chicken ).
He was very cute and a lovely colour!

Hoo, Hoo's The Cutest Christmas Ornament?

1. girl boy owls, 2. brown and tan holiday hoo, 3. brown and white holiday hoo, 4. olive green holiday hoo, 5. holiday christmas owl ornaments, 6. christmas lights holiday hoo, 7. pink holiday hoo, 8. candy canes holiday hoo, 9. christmas lights holiday hoo no. 2

Aren't these just the cutest owls ever! I found them on Flickr AND Etsy, now i'm doing my best to talk myself out of giving one a home.

A Very Cheeky Reindeer.

C'mon Cotton On!

Do you remember this cute bit of vintage Christmas????
Well it seems Cotton On liked it too!

Christmas Crafting.

The kids are getting very excited about Christmas.
We had the yearly Santa photo taken on the weekend, another year goes by and Emily still won't sit with Santa.
She's right into his reindeers though.
Duncan's reindeer is called Rudolf and her's is called Bambi, I don't remember a Bambi pulling Santa's sleigh!

Eye Spy Sunday-In My Garden.

We live in a little 'ol unit and unfortunately we have no garden.
I kind of compensate by putting these little guys on the windowsill but I'm often cursing at them when trying to open the window.
Maybe it's a good thing as I have a pretty black thumb!
This little golden lobster also lives on the windowsill, he was given to me by my grandmother. I loved him as a child 'cause he was very shiny and had red rhinestone eyes that have since fallen out, he also doubles as a great bottle opener.
Vase was courtesy of the local op-shop.

A Little Pearl Of Wisdom.

I had a Long and difficult week this week and an especially hard Friday morning so you could imagine my surprise and delight when a mystery package was waiting on my doorstep when I returned home from a hard morning.
Thankyou to Cathy at Big Cat's Emporium for brightening my day.
I won her custom collage giveaway during Blogtoberfest and she did this wonderful piece of work especially for me!
"All That Glitters Is Not Gold", there's certainly some wisdom in those words.
Thanks again.
I nearly forgot, she also enclosed a copy of Mixtape magazine, what a kind gesture. I love mixtape!

Mike's Stitchalong.

I'm excited!
I've begun work on my stitchalong christmas stocking.
Can't wait to start the embroidery as I was hoping to try my hand at embroidery this little project came along just in time.
I traced the design today, so far so good.

It's Tagging Time!

Wow, for the first time someone tagged me. Thanks to the lovely Miss Muggins!
Somebody likes me!!!!
So here goes.....

6 RANDOM FACTS

1. I have three tattoos.

2. I have a Diploma Of Dramatic Arts, (it's not that handy)

3. My secret desire is to be a postie on a motorbike.

4. I can play the guitar, piano and trumpet.

5. I have hobbit feet, call me Baggins!

6. My mum's friend taught me to knit when I was 7.

And now I tag......

Ellieboo, Amber, Big Cat's Emporium, Paris, Moopy and Me, Hoppo Bumpo

And So this Is Christmas.

Ok there was a lot of shuffling and reshuffling, I am now living with a treadmill in my bedroom for the next month but "taaa daaahhhhh", we now have a Christmas Tree!!!!!
Let the fun begin!!!!
If decorating the tree was any indication of how the next month will be, I'm going to need lots of help!!!!
There were fights, there were tears and that was just putting the silly thing together!
As you can see, when it came to the decorations they had more fun decorating themselves.
Bring it on Santa!!!!!!

Eye Spy Sunday

Black Kula Cruiser - Beach Cruiser at Sunset, originally uploaded by Makai Bikes.

So I was a little busy yesterday but here is my eye spy anyway.
Sorry it's late.
I spy what I want for Christmas............
a new bike please Santa!!!!
I promise I've been really good.
It's about sunshine,
it about exercise,
it's about spending time with the kids,
enjoying the chrissy holidays and who am I kidding, these bikes are sooooo cool!

World Aids Day 1st December

World Aids Day 1st December, originally uploaded by martinjohnbrookes.

December the first is World Aids Day.
Lets not forget the original red ribbon.
Aids has been around for more than 25 years now and still spreading.
It has killed more than 25 million people and an estimated 33.2 million live with HIV.
In many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 3.1 million (between 2.8 and 3.6 million) lives in 2005, of which more than half a million (570,000) were children.
Get educated, raise awareness and be responsible.
For more info go here:
www.worldaidsday.org/

Angel Christmas Tree Topper

Angel Christmas Tree Topper, originally uploaded by redcoulter.

How cute is this!

Christmas!!!!!

Christmas Deer, originally uploaded by k.james.

Christmas is coming too fast!!!!
I spent almost the whole weekend doing Christmas shopping and I'm still not done.
Help!

Vintage Pyrex.

Do you like Pyrex?
I like Pyrex.
Not the shiny new stuff you can get in the shops now, the old stuff is much better.
It was produced in lovely colours with beautiful designs printed on it.
It's the stuff that reminds me of my Mum's kitchen when I was a girl.
She had wallpapered a feature wall using restaurant placemats from all over the globe and it was carpeted, yes carpeted in hideous brown patterned carpet!
Best of all she had Pyrex.
Here is what I mean, I found these on some recent op shop adventures...........

Love Fridays

Liquid Sunshine, originally uploaded by 1bluecanoe.

It's drizzling today and the best this about this drizzly Friday is I have the day off!!!!! Yippeee!!!!
What a great day to be home indoors, it's wet weather so I can't do the washing! (what a shame).
I may even get to finish reading Mixtape and maybe, just maybe get to do a little crafting!
I love Fridays.

Mail Call!

Look what the postie brought today...........
my very first copy of Mixtape ( so i'm a little slow on the uptake), it's a gorgeous little crafting zine. I'm so excited.
I'm sooo looking forward to settling down with a nice cuppa and having a browse.
Can't wait for the next issue, it's a kids issue, joy!

Happy birthday Mums

M is for Mother, originally uploaded by k.james.

Today is a very special day and i'll tell you why.
I am one of those people who are lucky enough to have not one but two Mums!!!!!!!
How good is that and it doesn't stop there.................
They are both super awesome, lovely, creative, crafty, arty, caring mums.
But wait there's more..............
another really special thing about these mums is today is both of their birthdays!
How good is that!!!!
So, thanks mums and have very happy birthdays xxxxx

I Did The Macarena With Chuck Norris Because I Am A Ninja!

Ponte Chuck Norris by Bossanostra...

I am at home with my little guy today, he's got pneumonia, so we were both in need of some laughs.
I found this on Sew Funky's blog who found it on a friends, etc, etc.

Make sure to leave a comment telling me what your sentence for the day is! :D

Pick the month you were born:
January-------I kicked
February------I loved
March--------I karate chopped
April----------I licked
May----------I jumped on
June----------I smelled
July-----------I did the Macarena with
August--------I had lunch with
September----I danced with
October-------I sang to
November-----I yelled at
December-----I ran over

Pick the day (number) you were born on:
1-------a birdbath
2----- --a monster
3-------a phone
4-------a fork
5-------a snowman
6-------a gangster
7---- ---m y mobile phone
8-------my dog
9-------my best friends' boyfriend
10-------my neighbor
11-------my science teacher
12-------a banana
13-------a fireman
14-------a stuffed animal
15-------a goat
16-------a pickle
17-------your mom
18-------a spoon
19------ - a smurf
20-------a baseball bat
21-------a ninja
22-------Chuck Norris
23-------a noodle
24-------a squirrel
25-------a football player
26-------my sister
27-------my brother
28-------an iPod
29-------a surfer
30-------a homeless guy
31-------a llama

Pick the color of shirt you are wearing:
White----because I'm cool like that
Black-----because that's how I roll.
Pink-----because I'm NOT crazy.
Red------because the voices told me to.
Blue-----because I'm sexy and I do what I want
Green----because I think I need some serious help.
Purple----because I'm AWESOME!
Gray-----because Big Bird said to and he's my leader.
Yellow---because someone offered me 1,000,000 dollars
Orange---because my family thinks I'm stupid anyway.
Brown----because I can.
Other-----because I'm a Ninja!
None------because I can't control myself!

Go on , you know you want to.

My son's sentence was I had lunch with a goat because someone offered me 1,000,000 dollars!
Hey I'd eat with a goat for 1000!!!!

Help, I Think I Lost My Mojo!

Amigurumi turtles,
originally uploaded by yourtricolor.

I am going through some sort of off phase at the moment.
I keep coming up with these great ideas but am not able to put any into motion.
This has been getting me down a little.
When ever I get into these slumps I try to think of things my kids have said to make me smile.
One recent pearler came from my daughter not so long ago...........
When I asked my 7 year old son what he was going to be when he grows up he said " a scientist" good I thought, he's on the right track.
I then asked my 3 year old daughter what she was going to be when she grows up and she replied " a turtle", I smiled " and your going to be a kangaroo," she said.
I guess there are worse things you could be.

Amigurumi turtles,
originally uploaded by yourtricolor.

Do The Robot

Rhys Darby is "a little bit" hilarious!

Lovely Decole.

1. Decole - Savings Bank, 2. decole set 1, 3. Decole - Owl & Bee, 4. Decole - Red Riding Hood, 5. Decole - Little Red Riding Hood, 6. Decole - Little Red, 7. Decole Cat Tea-for-One Set, 8. Decole - Bon Appetit storage jar, 9. Decole - Lunchbox, 10. Decole - Bonjour Bird Hook, 11. Decole - Colouring pencils., 12. decole 壶, 13. Decole - Tea for one set14. Not available15. Not available16. Not available

I love Decole.
I love the little faces on the little pieces.
I love the cuteness.
I love the way it makes me smile.
I love the little mushrooms and red riding hood the most.
The one thing I don't love about Decole is I can't Find where to buy it anywhere!!!!
(apart from Etsy )

Another Meme.

Here is a one word meme that I found via mellimoomoo who found it via Potty Mouth Mama who found it via allsorts. Don't you just love blogging!


Where is your mobile phone? Desk
Where is your significant other? Work
Your hair colour? Dark Blonde
Your mother? Creative
Your father? Gentleman
Your favourite thing? My children
Your dream last night? Spider nightmare!!!!
Your dream goal? Happiness
The room you're in? Kitchen
Your hobby? Arty Crafty stuff
Your fear? Deep Water
Where do you want to be in 6 years? With my family
Where were you last night? Home
What you're not? high maitainence
One of your wish-list items? push bike
Where you grew up? Sydney
The last thing you did? cleaning
What are you wearing? clothes
Your TV? off
Your pets? fish
Your computer? imac
Your mood? happy
Missing someone? yeah
Your car? Clean, whoo hoo!
Something you're not wearing? shoes
Favourite shop? ikea
Your summer? starting
Love someone? absolutely
Your favourite colour? green
When is the last time you laughed? this morning
When is the last time you cried? can't remember

With a bit of cut and pasting you can play too!

Love Fridays

peace love and heart clouds, originally uploaded by URSOphoto.

Thank goodness it's Friday,
thank goodness it's the weekend,
thank goodness for you,
now go and enjoy!
:-)

The Big 100!!!!

Picture from Flickr
Can't believe I made it to 100 posts, whoo hoo!!!!
To celebrate Emily and I went out to the local op-shop and found some lovely treasures, any excuse will do really.
I couldn't believe I found Patons Tortoise Shell knitting needles that still had the tag on, didn't really need them but you know how it is.
Found some sweet little glasses and more Golden Books for the collection, still need that bigger bookshelf.

This will probably be one of our last sprees for a while as we are probably going to have to move in the near future.
Emily is developing a habit of her own, today she went with a bear theme.

So that's post 100 and Thrifted Tuesday all in one.
I'm off to see Merrick and Rosso being taped tonight. I'm a little nervous as they like to pick on their audience, wish me luck.

Quote Of The Day

Interesting Book & Warm Lapdog, originally uploaded by mtsofan.

One of my favorites..........

“Outside of a dog, a man's best friend is a book. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.”

Groucho Marx.