I do love a rainbow.
A fabric rainbow.
Would be...
Just what I need!
Above images from Badskirt blog
Happy days ♥
Tuesday
Monday
Inspiring wedding bunting
This is what bunting was made for!
Celebration!
Love it, love it, love it!
Simple white bunting in Harlestone Village Hall, Northhamptonshire, UK
Yellow was the theme for this happy, sunny wedding and what would be better than yellow bunting strung along with fairy lights inside the boat cruising the river Dart, UK?
pretty
lace bunting
image from Inspired by This
Have a great week ♥
Sunday
a pause in Advent - 'the rule of reciprocity'
I'm joining Floss from 'Troc, Broc and Recup' again this year, as a collective of bloggers, who are posting each Sunday or Monday, about what they find meaningful at this time of year leading up to Christmas. Just click on the side bar on this blog, and look for this 'a pause in Advent' logo, to find the others participating.
Whilst my intention isn't to be super freaky religious, (and scare you all away!), but if I'm to think about this seriously at all, I am going to reflect personally on those things I 'do' and 'believe' at Christmas time. Stuff that challenges my very status quo.
My first post is simply an extract of a devotional written by the late Selwyn Hughes ~~ and it's all about giving.
'If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?' - Matthew 5:46
'The general view of love is that it involves reciprocity. In every part of the world, and in every culture, this is an unspoken rule of social life. If I buy you a coffee this obligates you to say 'thank you' and perhaps, at some time in the future, to buy me one.
The rule is this: we should appreciate things done for us and return people's favours. People are considered rude when they break the unwritten rule of reciprocity. Gifts need to be of a similar value. Giving a cheap gift to someone when he or she has given us an expensive one makes us feel uncomfortable. Forgetting to send a Christmas card to a person who has sent us one, and finding it is too late to make the exchange, can dampen the delights of Christmas. Some are not beyond manipulating relationships for personal gain by deliberately building up a sense of indebtedness in others. If we want a favour from someone we take that person out to lunch, thus putting them in a position where turning us down might make them feel awkward.'
In the verse above in blue, 'Jesus cuts through this social norm and shows that agape love stretches far beyond the rule of reciprocity. Agape love is not returning smile for smile, or favour for favour.
The Samaritan didn't play by the rule of reciprocity when he got off his donkey to help the injured traveller. He far exceeded it . The law of 'tit for tat' - of measure for measure - is out: the new law of excess is in. The old law has been overtaken - by agape.'
Hope you have a great week ♥
Whilst my intention isn't to be super freaky religious, (and scare you all away!), but if I'm to think about this seriously at all, I am going to reflect personally on those things I 'do' and 'believe' at Christmas time. Stuff that challenges my very status quo.
My first post is simply an extract of a devotional written by the late Selwyn Hughes ~~ and it's all about giving.
'If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?' - Matthew 5:46
'The general view of love is that it involves reciprocity. In every part of the world, and in every culture, this is an unspoken rule of social life. If I buy you a coffee this obligates you to say 'thank you' and perhaps, at some time in the future, to buy me one.
The rule is this: we should appreciate things done for us and return people's favours. People are considered rude when they break the unwritten rule of reciprocity. Gifts need to be of a similar value. Giving a cheap gift to someone when he or she has given us an expensive one makes us feel uncomfortable. Forgetting to send a Christmas card to a person who has sent us one, and finding it is too late to make the exchange, can dampen the delights of Christmas. Some are not beyond manipulating relationships for personal gain by deliberately building up a sense of indebtedness in others. If we want a favour from someone we take that person out to lunch, thus putting them in a position where turning us down might make them feel awkward.'
In the verse above in blue, 'Jesus cuts through this social norm and shows that agape love stretches far beyond the rule of reciprocity. Agape love is not returning smile for smile, or favour for favour.
The Samaritan didn't play by the rule of reciprocity when he got off his donkey to help the injured traveller. He far exceeded it . The law of 'tit for tat' - of measure for measure - is out: the new law of excess is in. The old law has been overtaken - by agape.'
Hope you have a great week ♥
Thursday
my creative space - fresh break
no creating...just a break from creating for now, and a lovely drive in the countryside....
then back home...
other creative spaces happen on Thursdays here....
Thanks for visiting today...
xo
Wednesday
Peonies - just in
This just in from Karen Wagner Garden Design in Hobart!
'For the next few weeks, we have been lucky to have the most beautiful bunches of locally grown peonies in different colours in store.
$20 per bunch
Absolutely beautiful. Don’t miss out – only available for the 3-4week season.'
Wouldn't they make a lovely gift?
For those Hobartians that don't know, the address is 84 Warwick Street, Hobart.
Tuesday
It's been a bit of a hard slog
The market on Sunday was very busy, it wasn't until about 1pm, that i was aware that you could actually see the timber floor.
This was my last market for the year, and although i have some custom orders to fullfill, I am going to use the time over the Christmas + new year break to regroup.
I have just found out, that Beth's carer can no longer care for her. While that's only for a short time each week, I have no other support to rely on. We all have to work out our limits, and capabilites, and something sometimes needs to give. Plus, she has just gotten over another illness requiring more anti-biotics. I'm a firm believer, that things happen for a reason. Balancing... weaknesses with strengths. My weakness is i am never very fast at getting things done...my strength is that i don't give up easily. Having a perfectionist streak is both a weakness and a strength.
I can't say anything about this handmade, micro business has been easy this year. Juggling family life, with everything else.
well. you. know.
So, please let me share some pics from my last market for 2010...
Thanks needs to go to these wonderful people, without whose support I would be poorer indeed...
My friend Belinda, who came along to give me a loo break, but was beaten by Miriam from Nara Design, (my favourite children's wear designer!) who came to 'rescue me' from her own stall upstairs, and Karen from Karen Wagner Garden Design who came by to say hello.
The encouragement, and continuing friendship from these ladies, as well as Rosie from Notions, Narelle, from Ruby Victoria Letterpress, and Tamsin, from the Flatpack Bakers, makes this handmade life worthwhile.
xo
This was my last market for the year, and although i have some custom orders to fullfill, I am going to use the time over the Christmas + new year break to regroup.
I have just found out, that Beth's carer can no longer care for her. While that's only for a short time each week, I have no other support to rely on. We all have to work out our limits, and capabilites, and something sometimes needs to give. Plus, she has just gotten over another illness requiring more anti-biotics. I'm a firm believer, that things happen for a reason. Balancing... weaknesses with strengths. My weakness is i am never very fast at getting things done...my strength is that i don't give up easily. Having a perfectionist streak is both a weakness and a strength.
I can't say anything about this handmade, micro business has been easy this year. Juggling family life, with everything else.
well. you. know.
So, please let me share some pics from my last market for 2010...
My lovely friend Gail, made these bunting cards....aren't they sweet?
My friend Belinda, who came along to give me a loo break, but was beaten by Miriam from Nara Design, (my favourite children's wear designer!) who came to 'rescue me' from her own stall upstairs, and Karen from Karen Wagner Garden Design who came by to say hello.
The encouragement, and continuing friendship from these ladies, as well as Rosie from Notions, Narelle, from Ruby Victoria Letterpress, and Tamsin, from the Flatpack Bakers, makes this handmade life worthwhile.
xo
Thursday
my creative space - Christmas market head space
So many last minute things on the go, paint in pots sitting outside waiting to be smeared on a screen, fabric everywhere, photos to be put into frames....and no camera to be found to show you any of it. Perhaps it's just as well, it's rather chaotic!
However I will share this little snippet of what I think is a great piece of market display wisdom from Megan Reardon, a quote taken from the book 'the Handmade Marketplace', by Kari Chapin.
I know a lot of us bloggers are prepping for stalls for Christmas, and when you're so busy it's sometimes hard to see forest for trees. She says...
'When I go to craft fairs, I'm drawn to booths that clearly communicate what the maker is selling and look tidy and bright but also abundant'.
Worth sticking on your fridge I reckon.
There are also Flickr groups to help with display ideas ~~
1 Show me your booths.
2 Arts and crafts fairs and shows
Also check out the link to my post 'top ten tips - visual merchandising for market stalls' on the right hand column.
Have a great day!
If you found this post helpful, please refer it on to others who may find it helpful too. x
However I will share this little snippet of what I think is a great piece of market display wisdom from Megan Reardon, a quote taken from the book 'the Handmade Marketplace', by Kari Chapin.
I know a lot of us bloggers are prepping for stalls for Christmas, and when you're so busy it's sometimes hard to see forest for trees. She says...
'When I go to craft fairs, I'm drawn to booths that clearly communicate what the maker is selling and look tidy and bright but also abundant'.
Worth sticking on your fridge I reckon.
There are also Flickr groups to help with display ideas ~~
1 Show me your booths.
2 Arts and crafts fairs and shows
Also check out the link to my post 'top ten tips - visual merchandising for market stalls' on the right hand column.
Have a great day!
If you found this post helpful, please refer it on to others who may find it helpful too. x
For lovely creative spaces playing along this week, head over to Kirsty's place.
Tuesday
today
In the space of 1 hour in blogland, I have read of a death and then a birth. My own realisation of my first pregnancy came as we were in the midst of burying my husband's mother.
Last night, I was watching 'Undercover Boss' on tv, and was taken aback with the soft and human approach of the CEO of Toga Hospitality, Rachel Argaman.
'...I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.'
William Butler Yeats
We're all a bit fragile at times, I ebb and flow like everyone. Have doubts like everyone. Think too much.
Wonder. Cry. Believe.
Last night, I was watching 'Undercover Boss' on tv, and was taken aback with the soft and human approach of the CEO of Toga Hospitality, Rachel Argaman.
'...I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.'
William Butler Yeats
We're all a bit fragile at times, I ebb and flow like everyone. Have doubts like everyone. Think too much.
Wonder. Cry. Believe.
xo
Sunday
ye ol' fashioned fun fair
This is the one I hang out for all year...the Tarremah Spring Fair....this year was especially sweet when Bethany got to go into the Children's Tent all by herself and pick something(s) out, (all by herself). The music, the food, the atmosphere, the homemade lovelieness...perfect.
adornment...
family fun...
surprises...
reach for the sky...
challenges won...
xo
Friday
buttercake + butter cream = blissfully delicious cake
I was so wanting to share the recipe for the buttercake from yesterday's post with you - it is absolutely the best and moistest buttercake, and the one recipe I turn to again and again for its reliability, and the flavour. The recipe is from the 2005 'Australian Women's Weekly Kid's Party Cakes book'.
Basic Buttercake
125g butter, softened
1/2 ts vanilla extract
3/4 cup caster sugar
2 eggs
1 & 1/2 cups (225g) self raising flour
1/2 cup (125ml) milk
Preheat oven to moderate. Grease and line pan(s).
Beat butter, extract and sugar in small bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs, one at a time, until combined.
Stir in flour and milk, in two batches.
Spread mixture into prepared pan(s).
Bake in moderate oven (180C) until cake is cooked. (skewers are fine here)
Stand cake in pan 5 - 10 minutes, then turn onto wire rack to cool.
(If you are using just one cake tin, you can double the quantity for a nice high cake.)
Butter cream
(also known as vienna cream)
125g butter, softened
1 & 1/2 cups (240g) icing sugar mixture
2 Tbs milk
Beat butter in small bowl with electric mixer until as white as possible. Gradually beat in half of the icing sugar, milk, then remaining icing sugar. Flavour and colour as required. I added some lemon rind to the last cake I made...heavenly.
Chocolate variation: sift 1/3 cup (35g) cocoa powder in with the first batch of icing sugar.
Happy baking.
xo
Thursday
my creative space - birthday celebrations
So, what have you been up to?
Last weekend was huge for us, actually all last week was, I have so much to blog about, and yet no time to share it!
I made B's birthday crown...was quite pleased with how it turned out, my first attempt at embroidery, or at a crown for that matter...a chain stitch for the 'B', and some lazy daisy's on the side. I used beautiful quality 100% wool felt from Germany...you can get that from Lyrebird in Hobart. Making it double thickness, meant that it was a bit more stand upish.
A party in the park is where you can keep things simple....
Morning tea, a treasure hunt, teddy bear toss, and bubbles...and of course the older kids played cricket. I strung out some longish bunting, but forgot to take pics of that!
My only regret is not hanging out any balloons....I think I was trying to make an eco statement, but really next year I am going to try and get some biodegradable ones in time!
treasure hunt
birthday cake
teddy bear toss - the best game
who's a tired little girl now?
Pop over to Kirsty's, won't you?... for other 'my creative space' posts other peeps are making!
(As I write this, I am pretty sure that my little girl has another uti, so we are dashing off to the doctor's in a few hours; more mother guilt x.)
Wednesday
happy birthday my little bonsai girl....
you love anything tiny, and you are my special treasure...you complete our family circle, you add joy and brilliance to our lives...yelllow is your favourite colour, and that is the colour of sunshine, which is so true of your sunny disposition. You are funny, gorgeous, quirky, earthy, sometimes introspect, sometimes sensitive to others. You are growing, learning, feeling, being. You are our blessing.
Happy 3rd birthday.
I still remember the day you were born with clarity and joy.
And, yet here we are today...people have stopped asking me whether you were a premie baby or not, (you weren't, you were just little, a perfect package) and I've started wishing that time would freeze...
xo
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