way beautiful day

When it's a sunny bright day, my kids deem it a "way beautiful day"-  It's there way of saying it's going to a great weather and well, it's stuck and we all use that saying now.  Today is no exception.  It's a way beautiful day.  It was spent outside with friends, soaking up some vitamin D, sharing baked lemon brownies, enjoying treats dropped off by delightful neighbours, picking flowers, napping and reading, planning for new adventures.

Enjoying this way beautiful day!
What's your perfect way to enjoy a bright sunshiney day?

xx

a birthday bunting

A few weeks ago, my foodie loving, baking queen extraordinaire, gorgeous looking, and down right awesome friend celebrated her birthday.  The lovely thing is that a few weeks prior we happened to laugh at the ridiculous apron she was using (oh if you had of seen it!)  and my mind started racing....

.....then there was then some mention of a cute kitchen bunting that was admired somewhere in blogland...

.....and my mind started racing again.  If you recall - last year, I made this after some discussion about how cute crocheted cushions were!

Well, with a thrifted vintage tea towel with the most gorgeous colours and beautiful bird print, some other retro inspired fabrics, a splash of doilies here and there and voila!  One custom made Apron and matching Kitchen Bunting!

The tea towel was large enough to use as pockets on the apron (those lovely birds weren't going to get cut up!) and the rest made part of the bunging.  I also struck it lucky at an op shop - a vintage Johnson plate!

 Do you love making special gifts?  I do!  Especially a practical gift like an apron that will get used over and over!!!

xx

I'm grateful for....{great book and nights out}

Well,  hello lovely bloggy friends.  Yes, been a little quiet here this week with a two little sickies mid-week but happy to say all is fine and well as we approach the weekend.

Joining in with the ever so adorable Maxabella Loves on this day to be grateful!

Today, I'm grateful for...

1.  Good books - Whilst the kiddies were sick, and resting up on the couch this week I took the opportunity to get some day time reading done.  With kids heads on my lap or curled up beside me offering comfort when they needed, I took time out and read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.  Wow - amazing book.

2. Night out - so in order to recharge I set off with my gorgeous friend from down the road and we hit the busy streets of Carlton to enjoy the movie - and it totally lived up to my expectations.

3. A treat -  and of course we enjoyed some delectable goodies at Brunetti's afterwards.  Lovely way to end the week.

I hope your weekend is wonderful and Happy Grateful Day!  Link up here and join in the fun.

xx

I'm grateful for {one-on-one}

It's that time again - Maxabella Love's Grateful day....and this is what I'm grateful for..

1. Smooth transitions - The big boy started four year old Kinder this week, back where he was last year's three year old kinder, so it was familiar surroundings, familiar little faces and he took to it like a duck to water....so much so, that this morning he asked to go to Kinder today....

2. One-on-one time - Oh, I'd forgotten what it was like to just have one child, but now that the boy is doing four sessions of Kinder a week, it gives me time to soak up time with my little girl that up until now, has always had to share my attention with her older brother... one week in and we've been shopping, playing tea parties, gymbaroo-ing, going for walks and just chatting.  Bliss!

3. freshly baked - I baked these cookies this morning.  I've just made myself a cuppa (it's cold in Melbourne if you were wondering!!!) just so I've an excuse to have yet another of these delicious biscuits.  I do love the smell of fresh baked goodies....

Birthday Giveaway Winner

It's time to draw a winner and here is the lucky number......


(OK so i tried to upload the Random Org Widget and it wouldn't work but the number was 7)

Yay! Quilary - you are the winner of my birthday giveaway and very spooky as 7 is my favourite number! 

Thank you everyone for all your birthday wishes..... (old exhibition building)

I have had a marvelous day... (kitchen aid from my hubby and kids....more baking coming for sure)

And been spoilt rotten... (lovely friend from Pod and Three Peas baked me a delicious birthday cake and gifted me some lovely vintage canisters - filled with coffee and suger - oh how perfecto!)

Yay! I feel like a little girl having lots of fun!

(me when I was little!)

xxx

my creative space...

It's my dear friend from Pod and Three Peas Birthday tomorrow - so we mum's and our combined four children got together this morning for a catch up.  A while back we were chatting about learning to crochet.  At the time I had been working on some granny squares for a winter blanket and happened to mention that if I couldn't be bothered making enough for a blanket I could just make a crochet cushion.  I saw the sparkle in her eye as my dear friend loves all things retro and what would be more 70's than a crochet pillow adorning your bed or couch.  So I offered to make her one for her birthday!  I picked classic retro colours in creams, mustard, orange and a hint of teal.

I didn't realise what a challenge this would be.  It was fine making the granny squares - although please note I am still a very beginner crocheter!  The trouble I had was working out how to convert it into a pillow!  I had three attempts, all slightly different, and then settled on treating the crochet part like any other piece of fabric - and I'm really happy with the results.  So today I gave Paula her Birthday presents....

But what would a birthday present be if you know what you are getting, so I made another cushion from my thrifted linen finds the other week and was delighted when I found a little side plate in the Johnson range that Paula collects at an op shop in the country. I did make a little crochet trivet/hot pot holder thingy, but didn't remember to photograph it!

How nice it feels to give handmade and thrifted items....xx

Happy Birthday Pod xx

Head over to Kirsty's for more creative types!

Paula's Tarte tatin

My daughter loves apples!  Just loves them!  The problem being is that she takes little nibbles or sometimes a few bites out of an apple and then thats it....sometimes I cut them up later on and they get eaten but last night I noticed I had a fruit bowl full of nibbled apples!  So I quickly decided to make Paula's Tarte Tatin! I have attempted this dessert about 2 years ago and failed miserably but with Paula's delightful tips along the way (which she will be pleased to know I followed exactly) I had success, and she is right - four ingredients - easy peasy lemon squeazy!



Take a look!

For the recipe check out Paula's blog

Inspiration

Now that my crazy market preparation nights are over....phew....i can get back to some old unfinished projects like my daughters quilt and a my crochet winter blanket.  But I am also looking forward to making a crochet cushion for my dear friend over at pod and three peas for her upcoming birthday.  So, as a beginner crocheter I have been looking around for inspiration. Here are some of the cushions I love.  I know that I will have to stick to the basic granny square pattern, but haven't yet decided on colours and whether to do one big squre or create a patchwork look.  What do you think??