distractions

Today was the first time that I left Olive in childcare. It was only for one hour as an introduction but I knew that I would be a nervous wreck so I devised a cunning plan to distract myself - op shops! These are some of my finds:


Yummy old linens to turn into more baby change mats like this one.


Seventies Japanese plate.


Golden Books board book.

But how did Olive cope with being left in childcare?, you may be wondering. She had a ball. I was the only one of us who shed a tear.

new life

I was out in the back yard this afternoon photographing our Magnolia Little Gem with its new flowers. We planted the tree two and a bit years ago as part of the funeral for my first daughter, Millie (Millicent), who was stillborn. She just suddenly stopped moving a 33 weeks gestation - we don't know why.



While I was taking my photographs I noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye and guess what? We've got kittens!!! Pretty good for a family that doesn't even have a cat. They are very shy but I have spied five so far - four white and one black, all with orange splotches. So cute!



The funny thing is, Millie was due around Australia Day. And the first Australia Day weekend after she died, a stray rooster wandered into our yard and decided to stay. My partner thought it was a sign of new life for us, so the rooster is still with us, now with a fully enclosed coop, house and even three hens! Here's hoping that we get to keep the kittens too!

double this is ...

I am joining the this is... game initiated by three buttons but have started a little late, so it is double duty for me this week.

This is... what scares me

Don't get me wrong, I love buttons. But I am constantly imagining new ways for Olive to die and my latest obsession, fed by her newfound ability to pick up tiny objects with her pincers, is potential choking hazards. She tried eating the up key from my laptop last night.

This is... my favourite cup
Technically actually a mug rather than cup but I'm hoping you won't notice. My mum made this mug and I decorated it back in the days when I used to do that sort of thing to help support myself through uni. It is my favourite not because it's homemade but rather because it features my two pets at the time: a lovebird named Pookie (like the flying rabbit) and gorgeous fluffy old cat named Gonfalon. He used to sleep in bed with me, under the covers with his head on the pillow. The only problem was that he snored!

little bits and pieces

I have been preparing for a party at our house all week (it is slow work with a nine months old to attend to) so I don't have much crafty to report but did find an old collection of origami flowers whilst looking for a serving platter.






The cross-stitch buttons are on the improve, too.

I heart ... owls

Perfume bottle given to me by my Nana's boyfriend, FRANK, when I was around 7 years old. Why does a seven year old need perfume? There are so many stories I could tell you about Frank, he of the pastel slacks and extra-strong mints, the ex-navy sea-man who thought that the sun revolves around the earth.


Olive's new owl castanet. Because little girls do need musical instruments to make lots of noise.


Gorgeous needle-felted owls by Lauren Alane.


Owl rattle that I crocheted around an old vitamins bottle filled with dry soy beans. I am still a very beginner with crochet but have bought some amigurumi books for inspiration.

shopping

Happily, I have been too busy crafting to blog about crafting of late. How does that work? Many thanks to Olive for finally deciding that the cot (as opposed to my lap) is an acceptable place to nap during the day.

I am terrible at self-promotion but feel that I must let you know that I have opened an online shop. I have listed some bags for grown-ups plus bibs, change mats and clothes for babies. Won't you take a look and let me know what you think?
There now, it's done.


My second piece of shopping news is to share my latest op shop finds: a nice little pile of seventies crafting books. There are so many owl projects!

I usually wouldn't have so much as looked at the cross stitch book but have been thinking about getting on the covered button bandwagon. My first attempt was far from successful but I will keep trying!

I heart ... toadstools

I have already come to realise that the "look what I made today" formula may become a little dull so I thought I'd introduce my own post theme, each time looking at a motif that I am particularly fond of. Today is toadstools. I only wish I'd taken some photos of the fungus sections in some of the larger food stores in Japan. They were amazing!


Toadstool fabric from Japan. I would also have a picture of the beautiful Japanese toadstool fabric currently on sale in Spotlight but I have already used all that I bought. Time for another trip...


Toadstool darning tool to help mend my holey tights.


From a little pencil case I picked up in a 100 Yen shop.


Gorgeous wool/linen shroom by little birds.



My very simple toadstools on bodysuits. Hmm. I really must learn to iron before I photograph. I definitely don't heart ironing, I'm afraid.

humbugs

Well, I said that I would post pictures of my fabric girl once she was finished but didn't expect it to be quite this long. Particularly as she evolved into a Christmas present. She was completed and given on New Year's Eve. That's not too late, is it?

I have been feeling quite inadequate in the housewifely department after reading lots of blogs by women who had their whole house decorated Martha Stewart-style, gave handmade presents to their children's teachers and baked cookies every day. The only piece of Christmas decoration we had up was the lights out the front that never got taken down from last year. And we didn't even bother to turn them on. Slackers unite!

One element of Christmas I did enjoy, however, was the Tacky Christmas Yards blog. Oh so funny. Particuarly as I missed trawling the streets this year because we spent most of December in Japan, where the Christmas lights are all so damn tasteful.