Finally A Giveaway!!!!!!

31st of October and the end of Blogtoberfest!
There has been heaps of giveaways and I have been lucky enough to win one from
Big Cat's Emporium (joy) so now it's my turn to pay it forward!
I have been working on an owl softie for the last few days, he's nearly finished. I got the pattern from this great new book, More Softies.
So if you would like to win this little fellow leave a comment by the 3rd of November and he could be yours!
You could even suggest a name for him if your feeling really creative.
Goodluck and have a good weekend :-)


Here he is hanging out with some friends, hoot hoot!

An awesome book!!!

Crazy Vintage Potholders.

1. Pot Holders and Oven Mitts, 2. Crochet a funny face today, 3. pot holder patterns, 4. POT HOLDERS, 5. Pot Holders for Kitchen Pick-Me-Ups, 6. Star Pot Holders, 7. Pot Holders, 8. Bias tape patterns, 9. Vintage Pot Holder, 10. Pocket Potholders, 11. Owl Potholder and Tea Towel, 12. Make-It Book; Potholders, 13. Vintage Owl Potholder

I think at one stage these potholders must have been the popular thing to make.
I think they're cute and the patterns are sweet too.
They remind me of my grandma.
what do you think?

A Week Of vintage Craft On Flickr cont.

1. New (old) Singer (C365: day 75), 2. Teegee's Gorgeous Singer Machine Model 99K, 3. My old sewing machine, 4. "Antique" Singer Sewing Machine, 5. old singer sewing machine, 6. Singer Sewing Machine Instruction Book, 7. Vintage Singer Sewing Machine, 8. Vintage Singer sewing machine face, 9. Vintage Singer sewing machine case
This is one of the reasons I don't get much sewing done.
I have one of these little treasures at home. It's beautiful to look at but can be very temperamental at times and straight stitch is all it does!
I just can't part with it, mine is like an old friend to me.
Here are some lovely singer machines from Flickr.

More Vintage Crochet Craft.

1. Paton's Third Bazaar Book, 2. My doll Jenny in Black and White., 3. 'Crochet Toys' Dolls in Box, 4. bh&g crochet and knitting granny sq pillows 1970s
I love these tiny crochet dolls and so does my daughter!

Vintage Crochet

Nothing says vintage more than a few old grannys!
Ha! No really folks.
I love crochet, love vintage crochet too and when I think of typical vintage crochet visions of granny blankets dance through my head.
Enjoy these ones from Flickr.
1. vintage 2, 2. Thrift Thursday: December 7, 2006, 3. Crocheted Afghan Sampler, 4. via: Flickr user: Yvestown, 5. granny square afghan, 6. Vintage daisy blanket, 7. vintage crochet afghan, 8. Vintage Vertical Stripe Crocheted Blanket, 9. Vintage hand crocheted bedspread

A Week Of vintage Craft On Flickr.

1. Macrame owl pattern, 2. owl be seeing you, 3. Macrame owl, 4. Snowy owl

Just joined in on this week theme over at Mikes, A Week Of Vintage Craft On Flickr.
I thought nothing is more vintage craft to me than macrame.
It oozes 70's.
Being a child of the 70's I was very familiar with the old macrame knots and the smell of jute.
My mother, being the crafty chic she was and still is was hell bent on making everything in macrame. All our flower pots were tangled in the stuff, she wore belts and necklaces that were intricately woven and even the fruit bowl hung down from the ceiling suspended in macrame.
My favorite was the owl she made for my bedroom, I think it's still hanging in their house!!!
Here are some lovely macrame owls I found on Flickr, groovy baby!

Motivated Monday

Had a very busy weekend.
We drove to Newcastle to visit my friend Sally and wouldn't you know it I forgot my camera!!!!
Sally has a new house and has had great fun filling it up with the most wonderful treasures. She does lots of op shopping and is at uni studying to be an art teacher so her house is full of her beautiful work.
After doing the rounds of the crafty blogs this morning and my lovely visit, I'M INSPIRED!!!!
I really need to forget about housework and spend time on MY creations.
I do have an excuse, Saturday night I cut myself rather badly whilst doing the dishes so no more dishes until the hand looks a bit better or I get some rubber gloves whichever comes first ( I think it will be the gloves).
Anyway, Emily, Mum and I went off to Spotlight this morning. Unfortunately there are not many really good craft suppliers around here so that's the best we can do. Mum got some very plush fur to make teddies, Emily got some wooden cats to decorate and I got all sorts of bargains. I'm going to get busy this afternoon, stay tuned!
Emily got into the creative mode this morning with her breakfast. " Look Mummy, I made a rainbow!"

You Am I

Went out last night and saw the always entertaining You Am I at The Metro, Sydney.
I haven't had a chance to have a listen to the new album, Dilettantes. Most of the stuff they played last night was their new stuff and i really enjoyed it. Will have to buy the new album ASAP!
I've been a fan since way back and it's great to see them still doing it and really doing it well, even if Tim Rogers does throw the occasional hissy fit on stage.
I'm not sure if he'd noticed he was still wearing Madonna's 1980's Like A Virgin lace gloves when he left the house though.
Anyway they still rock my world!!!

Cat Wrestling

Emily desperately wants a cat and every time we go anywhere near one she has to "just give it a kiss and a huggle", that's Emily speak for squeeze the life out of it!
Just look at the expression on this poor cats face.
When told not to squeeze the cats she says she needs to and when you tell her to stop she says she can't.
She once received three different scratches from three different cats in one day!
Cats of the world beware!

This Is................

My favorite movie.
Not just my favorite 80's movie but I would have to say my all time favorite would have to be 1987's Princess Bride.
It has everything, romance, adventure, comedy and a great cast.
Robin Wright before she was well known, Cary Elwes when he was very cute and Billy Crystal is hilarious as Miracle Max.
I have always owned a copy of this magical film and I never tire of it. It always makes me smile and I love sharing it with people that have never seen it just to see their enjoyment.
If you've never seen it go now beg, steal or borrow a copy. It's a must, and you can even watch it with your kids!
You can see the movie trailer here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpBO9FRkGsY

Indecision............

1. Tattoo, 2. tattoo, 3. cherry blossoms, 4. Cherry Blossom (full view)


1. morning after, 2. Sweet Laraine, 3. tattoooooooo, 4. and now for something different........., 5. My most recent tattoo., 6. July 2007. Done by Kate at Chapel Tattoo in Melbourne., 7. how many licks does it take?, 8. right owl finished - closer

1. complete! 3, 2. Where The Wild Things Are, 3. HAPPY MAX, 4. Where the Wild Things Are, 5. Return of Monsters Ink @ Twin Moon, 6. Homebake 2006, 7. background 3, 8. background 2, 9. pink, 10. orange, 11. Where the wild things are tattoo, 12. Where the Wild Things Are, 13. Return of Monsters Ink @ Twin Moon

I'm toying with the idea of a new tattoo.
I like the old cherry blossoms, I've been thinking of the molecule for quite some time , then the owl thing popped into my head and now I'm into the "wild things".
What to do , what to do.
I can hear my mum saying it right now, DON'T DO ANYTHING!
Sorry Mum.

Wanted.

For the first time in my life, as far back as I can remeber, I do not own a pushbike and do you know It's not something I thought I'd miss but I do.
Now that I have discovered these absolutely gorgeous deadly treadlys I need to own one now!!!!
Guess I should start saving.



1. blue electra amsterdam, 2. Electra Townie 3, 3. Electra2, 4. Electra Townie 21D, 5. My bike, 6. Leah's Bike, 7. Rear Fender, 8. Electra Rosie, 9. bike, 10. Electra, 11. my birthday bike, 12. Bike, 13. Electra

A Very Special Place.....

This is a very special place to me and my very special person.
Fisherman's Beach, Long Reef, NSW, Australia.
Have a happy day.

Survived Another School Holidays!!!

We survived another school holidays!!! Yipee!
You may well laugh but it's not easy and I get nervous every time I think about the christmas school holidays.
We enjoyed a very special visit from Granny Jenni, a few visits to the museum, bowling, dress ups, more cooking, ferry rides, zoo visits and now I'm ready for MY holiday ( I wish ).
Do you know the best thing about school holidays? No homework!!!!! That's one thing my son and I do agree on.
This school holidays I have made a big decision and I feel am ready to share it with you all. I take this opportunity now to announce to the world my retirement from ten pin bowling.
I know this may come as a shock to those of you that know me well as I only recently came out of retirement but I mulled over it and it's my final decision.
I will not be swayed, even though I have a secret desire to wear those funky shoes in public.
I'm afraid having an average score of 36 is just too heart breaking for me and everyone involved and I am ready to admit defeat.
I would also like to apologise to my loved ones for being a major grumpy bum when it comes to this sport.
Next holidays, Putt Putt! Wha hoooooo !!!!!!!!!!

Yearbook Yourself!

I can't sleep, can you tell??
Go and give this a try, it's very entertaining.
yearbookyourself.com

My Search For Inspiration Continues

Some cuteness from flickr



1. Tropical Monkey, 2. Amigurumi Bunny 1, 3. [amigurumi] cha cha, 4. Gnome at home, 5. Amigurumi Sisters, 6. Yoda and Princess Leia, 7. amigurumi guinea pigs, 8. Mi primer osito amigurumi, 9. Snowball - Amigurumi Doggie, 10. My New Amigurumi Bear, 11. amigurumi - Lazy Monday Bear, 12. Little amigurumi pear

I went to visit the zoo one day.................

I went to visit the zoo one day,
I saw an Iguana upon the way,
And what do you think it heard me say???
"Whew, that was close!"



Yes we were off to the zoo on one of our behind the scenes adventures again and (being the keen reptile fans that Duncan and I are) we bravely volunteered to nurse Jub Jub, the Fijian Iguana. Just when he needed too relive himself. If you look closely you can see that I did actually wear some of the wee! Yuck!
Jub Jub is a resident at Taronga Zoo, he weighs in at about 7 kilos and has very sharp claws. He wasn't interested in eating us though, he lives on a diet of flowers and fruit.
He was rather delightful and was quite happy to pose for these pics, I guess the smart one was the one taking the pics , he didn't get weed on. Thanks Ben.

Take Five....... Nice Blogs I Like

I'm taking Meet Me At Mikes Lead, so here are my all time top five.........
meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com

loobylu.com

thetoysociety.blogspot.com

curlypops.blogspot.com

mellimoomoo.blogspot.com

It's a hard decision 'cause I have about 40 faves I read all the time, I have a terrible addiction.

i love your blog, originally uploaded by jencc.

And Finally!!!!

He's finally finished and the next one is on the way, hooray for progress!!!!

Progress!!!!

Yes, i have made progress!
All he needs now is a face, hooray!
Something else that deserves a big hooray is this book...................
We found it on our big adventure yesterday and Emily was just as excited as I was.

It's just as brilliant if not better than the first book.

She's already put her order in for this quirky little "Pocket Gnome".
Note the cheesy "pleeeeeeaaaaaassssssssssssseeeee mummy" grin.

The Incredible Hulk!

My daughter had a great day at kindy today as you can probably tell!
Here she's doing her best Incredible Hulk impersonation!