tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911625681072620412024-03-14T14:27:49.113+10:00It's the things that make you go mmmmSnoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.comBlogger616125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-87085339653189418142011-12-22T21:10:00.000+10:002013-01-01T21:10:39.820+10:00Read more ... 2012The end of the year is coming even closer and my plans for the following year are definitely on slow simmer. One thought I’ve had is to channel my reading as I did a couple of years ago when most of what I read was 19th century.
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I really enjoyed that, with the result that next year I think I’m going to use the list in the book 1001 Books you Must Read before you Die . The list is now 1294 books long as it should be to keep up with new books … but who’s quibbling.
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Together with some work mates we went through the list to see how many we’d already read. I was happy to find around 100 of the first 1001, so about 10% in my case.
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Check out the list if you’re interested.
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And next year?
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Adding this to my New Year’s Plans list and making my way through a few more … and maybe adding a few reviews to the blog. That’d be fun.
Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-29332417352185948192011-11-19T19:27:00.002+10:002011-11-19T19:34:22.144+10:00STREAT Dinner Party GiveawayMy other blog (<a href="http://eatandbemerryfortomorrowwediet.blogspot.com/2011/11/streat-dinner-party-giveaway.html">EAT AND BE MERRY, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE(T)</a>) has a double pass valued at $300 for the Melbourne <a href="www.STREATparty.com">STREAT Dinner Party </a>to be held on Tuesday 29 November.<br /><br />STREAT is a fantastic charity helping Melbourne's homeless youth to long-term careers in hospitality through running street cafes. For around six months they learn hygiene, kitchen etiquette, how to cook and how to follow a recipe while working on one of STREAT's cart. And all the proceeds from the STREAT Dinner Party go to funding a new STREAT cart.<br /><br />Leave a comment (one only per person) over at the post on <a href="http://eatandbemerryfortomorrowwediet.blogspot.com/">EAT AND BE MERRY</a> and a lucky winer will be drawn randomly on Friday 25 November at 7pm. The giveaway is open only to Melbournites who can attend.<br /><br />Spread the word.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-12999542372179251782011-03-14T08:26:00.005+10:002011-03-14T08:50:27.434+10:00Flea Market FindsSometimes flea market finds are sexy, amazing, stunning; and sometimes the "flea market fairy" points me in a far more practical and useful direction ... like this week with three big glass jars that can be used for storing lots of things.<br /><br />Mr H, you see, has decided to preserve lemons, and alas, for his first effort a few months ago, all we could find in the cupboard were a couple of smaller jars, including this one with a metal lid ... and not a great choice when you're dealing with caustic elements like lemon juice and salt but ... needs must.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O9ZLGV9qXEs/TX1GC9_ZjdI/AAAAAAAAGvw/i9S272IQ3ME/s1600/IMG_2504.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583696129823444434" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O9ZLGV9qXEs/TX1GC9_ZjdI/AAAAAAAAGvw/i9S272IQ3ME/s320/IMG_2504.JPG" /></a><br />Now we no longer need to worry about that as I found not one, but three, large ex-coffee jars between the nine op shops I managed to get to this week ... in about three hours! (Poor Mr H ... I've already snaffled two of them for sugar!)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWBmRCro1Nk/TX1HTVivYjI/AAAAAAAAGv4/aEB_ENsNoao/s1600/IMG_2494.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583697510535225906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DWBmRCro1Nk/TX1HTVivYjI/AAAAAAAAGv4/aEB_ENsNoao/s320/IMG_2494.JPG" /></a><br /><div>And just so you know they're out there if you're interested in glass jars ... Mr H and I found this huge glass jar a few months ago (we now have three which store SR and plain flour, and the "newer" one for regular sugar).<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9RuXFXBYE0/TX1HTmDP5VI/AAAAAAAAGwA/p9s3mliicAc/s1600/IMG_2500.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583697514966541650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9RuXFXBYE0/TX1HTmDP5VI/AAAAAAAAGwA/p9s3mliicAc/s320/IMG_2500.JPG" /></a><br />I can't wait to find more because I love the sturdiness of these jars (and because I need to find at least another one for Mr H), and maybe next week I'll be a little luckier with the vintage sheet finds. Can you believe I've been to 11 op shops over the last week and I managed to find only one sheet worth getting for the swap: a pretty but slightly faded striped lilac sheet? Lucky I have almost no purple/lilac sheets and I love stripes so I was excited all the same. </div><div> </div><div>What have you been up to? Find anything good ... or did the "flea market fairy" not smile on you? Lots more flea market finds over at <a href="http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/2011/03/flea-market-finds_13.html">Sophie's</a> place.</div>Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-49575244761922282382011-02-10T18:59:00.003+10:002011-02-10T19:05:52.592+10:00So funnyThis list of funnies landed in my inbox today ... apparently they're puns for educated minds!<br /><br />I'm quite partial to numbers 13 and 18. Do you have a favourite and why?<br /><br />1. Was the fattest knight at King Arthur's round table - Sir Cumference? – and did he acquired his size from too much pi?<br />2. Would an eye doctor on an Alaskan island be an optical Aleutian? <br />3. She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her Still. <br />4. Would a rubber band pistol be confiscated from algebra class, because it’s a weapon of math disruption? <br />5. No matter how much you push an envelope, it'll always be stationery. <br />6. If a dog gave birth to puppies on the road would it be charged with littering? <br />7. Would a grenade thrown into a kitchen in France result in Linoleum Blownapart? <br />8. If two silk worms had a race – would they ended up in a tie? <br />9. If a hole was found in the nudist camp wall, would the police look into it? <br />10. Although time flies like an arrow - fruit flies like a banana. <br />11. Atheism is a non-prophet organisation. <br />12. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other: 'If you stay here; I'll go on a head.'<br />13. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me. <br />14. Would a sign on the lawn at a drug rehab centre say: 'Keep off the Grass.' ? <br />15. If a midget fortune-teller escaped from prison, would there be a small medium at large. <br />16. If a soldier survived mustard gas and pepper spray – would he be a seasoned veteran? <br />17. Does a backward poet write inverse? <br />18. In a democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count that votes. <br />19. When cannibals eat a missionary, do they get a taste of religion? <br />20. If you jumped off a bridge in Paris, would you be in Seine? <br />21. If a vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. Would the stewardess tell him “there’s only one carrion allowed per passenger.' <br />22. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says 'Dam!' <br />23. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.<br />24. Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, 'I've lost my electron.' The other says 'Are you sure?' The first replies, 'Yes, I'm positive.'<br />25. If a Buddhist refused Novocain during a root canal – would his goal be to : transcend dental medication? <br />26. There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-54315003068683693702011-02-08T20:52:00.005+10:002011-02-08T21:23:28.880+10:00Ruby TuesdayIn the absence of any red photos I wandered down to Union Lane, of course, to see what street art was around.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVEmC4Y8m4I/AAAAAAAAGYs/U9250wZpDFY/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571276044972628866" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVEmC4Y8m4I/AAAAAAAAGYs/U9250wZpDFY/s320/IMG_0336.JPG" /></a><br />There were a few new things but nowhere near as much good stuff as usual ... and very little had any red, except this little darling.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVElB5xueMI/AAAAAAAAGYM/fws6GdleFgM/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571274928653498562" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVElB5xueMI/AAAAAAAAGYM/fws6GdleFgM/s320/IMG_0325.JPG" /></a><br />I'll just share a few more because I was there, not because they're red.<br /><br />Do you think this is the cowardly lion?<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVElCz1cltI/AAAAAAAAGYk/6M_EIkKxzRE/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571274944238360274" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVElCz1cltI/AAAAAAAAGYk/6M_EIkKxzRE/s320/IMG_0343.JPG" /></a><br />This girl's so stylish and elegant.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVElCaPf65I/AAAAAAAAGYc/8VO3CesPv40/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571274937368308626" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVElCaPf65I/AAAAAAAAGYc/8VO3CesPv40/s320/IMG_0337.JPG" /></a><br />This bird's very cute ...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVEmDV3QRBI/AAAAAAAAGY8/DNGKE-qO0vk/s1600/IMG_0316.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571276052884374546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVEmDV3QRBI/AAAAAAAAGY8/DNGKE-qO0vk/s320/IMG_0316.JPG" /></a><br />and this girl's gorgeous too.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVEmDMtuTgI/AAAAAAAAGY0/VHlHM3ko-qI/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571276050428481026" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVEmDMtuTgI/AAAAAAAAGY0/VHlHM3ko-qI/s320/IMG_0308.JPG" /></a><br />This girl looks a lot like a Debs ... but she's not! I'll check out the name next time I'm there.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVElCNr9uAI/AAAAAAAAGYU/YfS2ycz_5is/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571274933998041090" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TVElCNr9uAI/AAAAAAAAGYU/YfS2ycz_5is/s320/IMG_0335.JPG" /></a><br />For more ruby redness ... visit Mary at <a href="http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2011/02/ruby-tuesday.html">Work of the Poet</a>.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-55872954597883620262011-02-06T20:32:00.003+10:002011-02-06T20:50:26.044+10:00Flea Market FindsI managed to pick up some gorgeous pyrex and glasbake this weekend from two separate op shops ... and think myself very lucky. I almost didn't find the blue pyrex dish and it's so pretty. It was inside another dish with a lid on that and it was a fluke I looked inside it because it was so ugly!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TU57NItnK2I/AAAAAAAAGXc/q9GPsdwnpOw/s1600/IMG_0421.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570525254711192418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TU57NItnK2I/AAAAAAAAGXc/q9GPsdwnpOw/s320/IMG_0421.JPG" /></a><br />So I had to use them ... the blue pyrex held our vegetarian beans in homemade tomato sauce. Very yum!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TU57Ngi5VQI/AAAAAAAAGXk/fPSxGW9PAyE/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570525261108696322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TU57Ngi5VQI/AAAAAAAAGXk/fPSxGW9PAyE/s320/IMG_0485.JPG" /></a><br />And an apple and rhubarb crumble in the largest of the glasbake dishes. I gently cooked the apple and rhubarb in a little brown sugar, orange peel and cinnamon stick, which turned our nice. The crumble didn't turn out so good, but I didn't make it. It needed more butter but Ms C had to make it her way! Them's the breaks!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TU57N8tXJzI/AAAAAAAAGXs/mFu17Fy4V8E/s1600/IMG_0488.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570525268668786482" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TU57N8tXJzI/AAAAAAAAGXs/mFu17Fy4V8E/s320/IMG_0488.JPG" /></a><br />I hope everybody had a great weekend and if you'd like to play or see more flea market finds ... visit <a href="http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/2011/02/flea-market-finds.html">Sophie</a>.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-28902679996819707122010-12-07T20:13:00.003+10:002010-12-07T20:20:57.280+10:00Ruby TuesdayUnion Lane in the city is an interesting place.<br /><br />For a start it's right in the centre of town running between one of our premier department stores (David Jones) and other stores. It's narrow and awkward since it doesn't really have a purpose in the way as it once would have.<br /><br />But I love the way the building walls act as an art canvas and the lane as the venue for performance art.<br /><br />And so it was one quiet lunchtime as I walked down the lane on my way to my favourite yarn store.<br /><br />What I was faced with was a pile of balloons filled with water and glitter sitting on upended milk crates ... and several more stacks of crates and balloons along the lane.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPy-PVHnMMI/AAAAAAAAFuI/W8B3mCG_PSQ/s1600/_MG_6066.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547518011589996738" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPy-PVHnMMI/AAAAAAAAFuI/W8B3mCG_PSQ/s320/_MG_6066.JPG" /></a><br />And was it all about? Performance art ... with balloons to throw at the walls and add glitter to the street art.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPy-PvwNrCI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/8oVothNi13Q/s1600/_MG_6070.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547518018739612706" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPy-PvwNrCI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/8oVothNi13Q/s320/_MG_6070.JPG" /></a><br />Or to throw at each other. It didn't really matter much.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPy-QBL8iGI/AAAAAAAAFuY/3EhP-4oCf5s/s1600/_MG_6064.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547518023419332706" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPy-QBL8iGI/AAAAAAAAFuY/3EhP-4oCf5s/s320/_MG_6064.JPG" /></a><br />It was fun either way.<br /><br />Interested in more red ... visit Mary at <a href="http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2010/12/ruby-tuesday.html">Work of the Poet</a> for more.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-57279392713264802952010-12-05T11:25:00.008+10:002010-12-05T15:38:33.958+10:00Flea Market FindsMy vintage sheet collection is really getting out of control ... to the point where I have to seriously think about what to do with what I've got and about collecting.<br /><br />My stash? Two stacks high of about 2-3 feet! Truly.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrs5yvoeVI/AAAAAAAAFtY/rg2bTvDEeNY/s1600/IMG_9287.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547006368678443346" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrs5yvoeVI/AAAAAAAAFtY/rg2bTvDEeNY/s320/IMG_9287.JPG" /></a><br />There's lots of stuff in there including a few heavy white cotton sheets for backing and flannelette for winter (or softies). The striped single sheet (mainly pink facing) is in fantastic condition and I'm keeping the purple floral for winter for my bed.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrs5fFc19I/AAAAAAAAFtQ/qy-RibIc-Ic/s1600/IMG_9306.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547006363401246674" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrs5fFc19I/AAAAAAAAFtQ/qy-RibIc-Ic/s320/IMG_9306.JPG" /></a><br />I've also managed to collect a small stash of pillow cases. I like the ones on the top and further down I've a picture of my favourites on my bed.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrsI2NpYeI/AAAAAAAAFtA/gwllifP68PM/s1600/IMG_9297.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547005527796048354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrsI2NpYeI/AAAAAAAAFtA/gwllifP68PM/s320/IMG_9297.JPG" /></a><br />This is all the stuff under the pillow cases and white sheets ... and I have to call almost of them favourites. Most are in good or better condition, and many are a little faded. But there are gems. Check out the jade blue near the top and the pink towards the bottom.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrs4kkumFI/AAAAAAAAFtI/HUjuUiaKsXc/s1600/IMG_9300.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547006347694741586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrs4kkumFI/AAAAAAAAFtI/HUjuUiaKsXc/s320/IMG_9300.JPG" /></a><br />I've got a few older sheets, lots of good stripes, which I love and stuff from the 1970s. Some are ordinary looking 1980s or more recent patterns that I'm thinking about passing alone. The single bed set on the top is gorgeous and will be gracing Miss W's bed when she visits at Christmas.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrsH0NNNII/AAAAAAAAFso/1n4kxnqlr-A/s1600/IMG_9281.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547005510077461634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrsH0NNNII/AAAAAAAAFso/1n4kxnqlr-A/s320/IMG_9281.JPG" /></a><br />I have a few choices re what to do next ... and I just can't think about about stopping soon because I love looking for sheets too much. Next year making a quilt is very high on the list of my plans ... again. This year I just actually have to achieve it. Other options including swaps and maybe becoming the first Australian on <a href="http://madeit.com.au/">Made It</a> to sell vintage sheet fat quarters?<br /><br />Until I make up my mind I'm using some of the stash on my bed ... as well as stuff I deliberately picked up for my bed.<br /><br /><br />I love these pillow cases and these sheets are favourites I'm keeping. (It's kinda interesting my favourites tend to be from the 1980s and 1990s).<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrvcfi9nzI/AAAAAAAAFt4/D9AwzrcHwSU/s1600/IMG_8780.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547009163843706674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrvcfi9nzI/AAAAAAAAFt4/D9AwzrcHwSU/s320/IMG_8780.JPG" /></a><br />These 1980s sheets are also a favourite and sit really well with the white floral embroidered doona cover I found a few months ago. (Sorry about the unmade bed).<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrvbWMZisI/AAAAAAAAFto/qcFGBNoVX2E/s1600/IMG_9134.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547009144153279170" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrvbWMZisI/AAAAAAAAFto/qcFGBNoVX2E/s320/IMG_9134.JPG" /></a><br />And lastly my favourite I picked up yesterday ... for the princely sum of $6 at Vinnies. Beautifully stylish and so 1980s! LOL<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrvaw1keXI/AAAAAAAAFtg/mjQfvbT7Qow/s1600/IMG_9181.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547009134125414770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPrvaw1keXI/AAAAAAAAFtg/mjQfvbT7Qow/s320/IMG_9181.JPG" /></a><br />I'm off to visit Sofie at <a href="http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/">Her Library Adventures</a> for lots more Flea Market loveliness.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-78509449285822033012010-11-30T07:34:00.004+10:002010-11-30T13:13:54.676+10:00Ruby TuesdayMy Ruby Tuesday posts are starting to look as if I spent my time bouncing between graffiti and the second hand store Lost & Found … because this week we’re back to Lost & Found again to admire the numerous examples of red to be found.<br /><br />This most recent visit to Lost & Found happened after an amazing lunch with friends at the Napier Hotel. I’d been lucky enough that day to spend a very pleasant morning with a couple of friends touring second hand stores in the Fitzroy area, and after lunch I promised them the treat of scouring through Lost & Found to admire the vintage goodness.<br /><br />So what did we see … because I didn’t buy anything?<br /><br />Would you like ice with your whisky? Or maybe a boiled egg?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNw076rBbI/AAAAAAAAFj4/0XhcOAjtPEU/s1600/IMG_8935.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544899620962502066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNw076rBbI/AAAAAAAAFj4/0XhcOAjtPEU/s320/IMG_8935.JPG" /></a><br />We seem to have salt and a lovely kettle to make a nice cup of tea.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNv7SMbf9I/AAAAAAAAFjI/8d0n8RpLg6o/s1600/IMG_8911.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544898630510149586" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNv7SMbf9I/AAAAAAAAFjI/8d0n8RpLg6o/s320/IMG_8911.JPG" /></a><br />And our choice of teapots and tea cosies to keep the tea warm.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNvFuokyXI/AAAAAAAAFiw/WJqyqKxCZHU/s1600/IMG_8901.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544897710431455602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNvFuokyXI/AAAAAAAAFiw/WJqyqKxCZHU/s320/IMG_8901.JPG" /></a><br />We could always fill a thermos full of tea and have a picnic.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNvGTnXK8I/AAAAAAAAFjA/WpV3DIPS8-Y/s1600/IMG_8908.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544897720358480834" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNvGTnXK8I/AAAAAAAAFjA/WpV3DIPS8-Y/s320/IMG_8908.JPG" /></a><br />Especially if I was able to bake a cake ... it looks as though we have flour and sugar and maybe there's a little butter, eggs or milk somewhere close?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNw0XPOk_I/AAAAAAAAFjw/U8C70uaClGE/s1600/IMG_8927.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544899611116606450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNw0XPOk_I/AAAAAAAAFjw/U8C70uaClGE/s320/IMG_8927.JPG" /></a><br />If I can't find any I could ride my bike to the store.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNwzz3D0tI/AAAAAAAAFjo/v52jgzSNAP0/s1600/IMG_8925.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544899601619997394" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNwzz3D0tI/AAAAAAAAFjo/v52jgzSNAP0/s320/IMG_8925.JPG" /></a><br />In my favourite red hat.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNxil0oqYI/AAAAAAAAFkY/vFIKAB7HDGk/s1600/IMG_8946.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544900405305584002" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNxil0oqYI/AAAAAAAAFkY/vFIKAB7HDGk/s320/IMG_8946.JPG" /></a><br />And something red to wear ... of course.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNxiHicnsI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/U-qFtCunwCY/s1600/IMG_8943.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544900397176233666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNxiHicnsI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/U-qFtCunwCY/s320/IMG_8943.JPG" /></a><br />But I can't decide whether I should bring everything home in this red bag,<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNv8dIrWNI/AAAAAAAAFjg/6EzRqRkmtnQ/s1600/IMG_8922.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544898650627070162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNv8dIrWNI/AAAAAAAAFjg/6EzRqRkmtnQ/s320/IMG_8922.JPG" /></a><br />or maybe eggs would be safer in this red basket.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNv8AP8ZnI/AAAAAAAAFjY/XYqysyEfj7E/s1600/IMG_8920.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544898642872919666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNv8AP8ZnI/AAAAAAAAFjY/XYqysyEfj7E/s320/IMG_8920.JPG" /></a><br />Of course I can't go to the store without making sure I have the right accessories ... and everything's neatly displayed on a red background to best effect.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNv7i6brvI/AAAAAAAAFjQ/7NXefGDHzdk/s1600/IMG_8918.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544898634998066930" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNv7i6brvI/AAAAAAAAFjQ/7NXefGDHzdk/s320/IMG_8918.JPG" /></a><br />And when we sit down and relax under this beautiful red lamp,<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNvFfZQH-I/AAAAAAAAFio/v1jjqFAGoBM/s1600/IMG_8897.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544897706340655074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNvFfZQH-I/AAAAAAAAFio/v1jjqFAGoBM/s320/IMG_8897.JPG" /></a><br />we can enjoy our cake and tea, and watch the children play on this gorgeous rocking horse.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNvF9tF-sI/AAAAAAAAFi4/DLojuaaTLSc/s1600/IMG_8904.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544897714476939970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TPNvF9tF-sI/AAAAAAAAFi4/DLojuaaTLSc/s320/IMG_8904.JPG" /></a><br />Thank you for visiting and I hope you'll come again ... go visit <a href="http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2010/11/ruby-tuesday_29.html">Mary T</a> for lots more.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-91559461850477452982010-11-28T13:50:00.003+10:002010-11-28T13:55:20.294+10:00Flea Market FindsMr H has a much better eye than me for stuff ... he actually picks over a place and finds the most amazing things.<br /><br />This is one of those things.<br /><br />She's so beautiful and I always wonder whether she was painted here or if someone visited Eritrea and brought her home with them. A nice thought either way.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TLD-7hyfFbI/AAAAAAAAFFY/DDPUN1FI6G8/s1600/_MG_8094.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526197041419457970" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TLD-7hyfFbI/AAAAAAAAFFY/DDPUN1FI6G8/s320/_MG_8094.JPG" /></a><br />For lots more flea market finds ... visit Sophie at <a href="http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/2010/11/flea-market-finds_28.html">Her Library Adventures</a>.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-42494357396121067312010-11-26T17:15:00.002+10:002010-11-26T20:47:58.024+10:00Friday knitting patternIt's always interesting choosing a pattern book each week ... basically the most common patterns around are the 70s (which are almost all identical especially the Patons books) and the 1980s (which I'm not particularly fond of knitting wise--eek to big shoulder pads!).<br /><br />But I made an exception this week with this pattern book put out by the Australian Wool Corporation. I thought the Wool Corporation was created in the 1960s, but fortunately I checked and it turns out it was created in 1973 as a single marketing oriented body to facilitate research, promotion and marketing ... and knitting patterns.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TO9gLUlGIxI/AAAAAAAAFiI/Aki-4H_niPg/s1600/IMG_9088.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543755413935498002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TO9gLUlGIxI/AAAAAAAAFiI/Aki-4H_niPg/s320/IMG_9088.JPG" /></a><br />Wool has always been important to Australia. It's always been one of our more important natural resources, and it was as early as 1796 when John Macarthur bought his first merino sheep from a flock of Spanish merino reared in South Africa. Apparently at the time farmers also bought merino sheet but they cross-bred them with other sheep which resulted in coarse wool of a low quality.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TO9gLijHVFI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/BrJAgWzNkrE/s1600/IMG_9091.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543755417685283922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TO9gLijHVFI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/BrJAgWzNkrE/s320/IMG_9091.JPG" /></a><br />I quite like the warm cardi but those pants look evil ... anybody for S&M?<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TO9gMMQB7YI/AAAAAAAAFiY/IVqocr7Fc4c/s1600/IMG_9094.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543755428879527298" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TO9gMMQB7YI/AAAAAAAAFiY/IVqocr7Fc4c/s320/IMG_9094.JPG" /></a><br />This is totally my favourite. It fits my love of 40s frocks perfectly.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TO9gMmSOPCI/AAAAAAAAFig/tzvWJTTVAyE/s1600/IMG_9097.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543755435868044322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TO9gMmSOPCI/AAAAAAAAFig/tzvWJTTVAyE/s320/IMG_9097.JPG" /></a><br />Do you have a favourite? And do you remember the patterns put out by the Wool Corporation?Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-33960470767603607602010-11-25T21:00:00.003+10:002010-11-25T21:09:05.476+10:00My Creative SpaceI'm still working on baby things, baby hats really ... and concentrating on learning how to knit on dpns. I'm actually loving it, the more so as it becomes easier.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TO5C1zBIKCI/AAAAAAAAFiA/NYLdzoPp6LI/s1600/IMG_8760.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543441683335096354" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TO5C1zBIKCI/AAAAAAAAFiA/NYLdzoPp6LI/s320/IMG_8760.JPG" /></a><br />This week's effort ... I started this totally cute winter's hate for a 9-12 month old.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TO5CjzdNAkI/AAAAAAAAFh4/p7_kFTIFlP4/s1600/IMG_8952.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543441374215209538" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TO5CjzdNAkI/AAAAAAAAFh4/p7_kFTIFlP4/s320/IMG_8952.JPG" /></a><br />And it's so exciting because Baby H has arrived and will be wearing hthe baby version sometime soon.<br /><br />Over to <a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/2010/11/my-creative-space_25.html">kootoyoo</a> ... lots more gorgeous creative spaces happening there.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-90956947237082135772010-11-24T08:51:00.003+10:002010-11-24T19:23:01.144+10:00What's Hot & What's NotIt’s the second last time I’ll be looking back over the year that was … looking at how I’ve done against my New Year’s Plans for 2010 and what I need to work on.<br /><br />It’s sad because there’s so little time left but I’m more excited than sad. Excited about what the new year will bring, excited about what my plans should be for the new year. I’m just excited really!<br /><br />So what’s been hot or not for the last month?<br /><br /><strong>What’s been Hot.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Exercise more</strong>. I’ve been sad because there’s no more Pilates until next year and my body misses it, but it’s encouraging me to get back to walking the stairs and be more focussed on my exercise regime. I’m glad to see it’s doing just that. It’s amazing how much better I feel when I’ve exercised and how my body and my mood misses it when I don’t.<br /><br /><strong>Cook more</strong>. That’s been its usual total failure for the family but something I’ve noticed has been happening is how much better I am at making breakfast and lunch for myself at work, and how much better my blood sugar has been because of that.<br /><br /><strong>Spend more time with friends and family</strong>. Pluses and minuses here. I was tired and lacking in energy for part of the month but in general I’m spending far more time on balance with friends than family. And, unlike the last decade or more, I didn’t visit Ballarat to take my niece Miss T to the Show … but she’s now more interested in spending time with her friends for activities like that than her aunt and it’s time to start a new tradition. Maybe the movies?<br /><br /><strong>Finish 5 craft projects</strong>. I’m still doing well working my way through the baby items for Baby H, who arrived a couple of weeks ago. I have a small stash of stuff to send and I’m working on two or three final things before I send them before Christmas. I’ll share photos before I send them or maybe after they’ve arrived. I know my Auntie M watches this space!<br /><br /><strong>What’s Not been Hot.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Renovate</strong>. No joy still on the renovations front but Reverse Finds is coming along nicely although there’s still so much to be done. My stash of vintage sheets is huge and I have to think what to do about that (like use it maybe?) and I have all sorts of bits and pieces I should put together for a giveaway. Stay tuned.<br /><br />Next month I’m planning to wrap up the year and look at how my life has changed over the year, and where things have improved. I haven’t used the various individual retrospectives to develop a bigger picture and I’m looking forward to seeing how far I’ve come.<br /><br />See you in a month’s time.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-21695248221575382642010-11-23T07:20:00.004+10:002010-11-23T13:01:49.091+10:00Ruby TuesdayI met up with a friend for dinner last week at Hu Tong dumpling bar in China Town and after a sumptuous dinner of dumplings (I love the chilli dumplings), Jo and I took a wander along Paynes Place and Croft Alley to view the street art.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo4EqYvW-I/AAAAAAAAFho/ei9D6jH4nyo/s1600/IMG_9085.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542303944181504994" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo4EqYvW-I/AAAAAAAAFho/ei9D6jH4nyo/s320/IMG_9085.JPG" /></a><br />I've made mention of Melbourne's embracing of street art and I'm proud ofliving in a city that understands art in its widest sense.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo4EauiPwI/AAAAAAAAFhg/DOO0PX1iNHg/s1600/IMG_9082.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542303939977953026" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo4EauiPwI/AAAAAAAAFhg/DOO0PX1iNHg/s320/IMG_9082.JPG" /></a><br />Not only understands it but embraces it.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo3XOWx54I/AAAAAAAAFhQ/nNzxgQ7m10k/s1600/IMG_9068.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542303163562977154" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo3XOWx54I/AAAAAAAAFhQ/nNzxgQ7m10k/s320/IMG_9068.JPG" /></a><br />So much so the City of Melbourne allows building owners and other to <a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ForResidents/StreetCleaningandGraffiti/GraffitiStreetArt/Pages/Registeredstreetartapplications.aspx">register</a> street art.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo3W3OCHVI/AAAAAAAAFhI/_lfpEP5m_5I/s1600/IMG_9067.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542303157352275282" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo3W3OCHVI/AAAAAAAAFhI/_lfpEP5m_5I/s320/IMG_9067.JPG" /></a><br />I think this really encourages street artists to do their best, and for their art to improve in quality and scope.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo3V0I3scI/AAAAAAAAFg4/jHjMcoHbNlU/s1600/IMG_9049.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542303139345445314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo3V0I3scI/AAAAAAAAFg4/jHjMcoHbNlU/s320/IMG_9049.JPG" /></a><br />You can see all the street art here registered at STA25 ... and it's in the tiniest space.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo3Wf8_zAI/AAAAAAAAFhA/2YLC7oMFMrE/s1600/IMG_9051.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542303151106804738" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo3Wf8_zAI/AAAAAAAAFhA/2YLC7oMFMrE/s320/IMG_9051.JPG" /></a><br />And another Debs ... a little light for red but it's still there.<br /><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542303930420013890" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo4D3Hvq0I/AAAAAAAAFhY/GC75lG2uybU/s320/IMG_9072.JPG" /><br />And what could be more fitting to close this post: don't ban the can ... except for those annoying taggers!<br /><br />Lots more glorious rubyness over at <a href="http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2010/11/ruby-tuesday_22.html">Work of the Poet</a> ... check it out.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-19480682504899434462010-11-22T10:17:00.006+10:002010-11-22T19:21:02.164+10:00Because I can: New Year's Plans for 2011I’ve sucked at blogging over the last couple of weeks. I restarted last week with good intentions that obviously went south … and today I’m going to try to start again. (What is it they say about roads and good intentions?)<br /><br />The imminent arrival of the silly season has had thinking about next year and what <a href="http://itsthethingsthatmakeyougommmm.blogspot.com/2010/01/blog-post_01.html">my plans for 2011</a> should be. After never doing it before, my plans for 2010 have turned out to be so positive and inspirational I’m going to do it again.<br /><br />I like the idea of plans rather than resolutions. A resolution is so permanent and inflexible. Contrast that with a plan. There’s so much for flexibility with a plan.<br /><br />And flexibility turned out to be required because some of my plans for 2010 were well and truly achieved. Others have fallen by the wayside to be picked up again next year.<br /><br />The most important part of my plans turned out to be choosing a wish for the year. That was inspired by Cathy (<a href="http://tinniegirl.blogspot.com/">tinniegirl</a>) who offered herself as the custodian of our wishes for the year. Mine was to <a href="http://itsthethingsthatmakeyougommmm.blogspot.com/2010/01/good-things-thu-21-jan-10.html">explore</a>: explore my creativity, explore my life … to just get out there and see who I was and what I wanted. (Thanks Cathy … it was a wonderful idea and so much appreciated).<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo1XcjeryI/AAAAAAAAFgw/O0Zf7WYlMOw/s1600/wish.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 319px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542300968351084322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TOo1XcjeryI/AAAAAAAAFgw/O0Zf7WYlMOw/s320/wish.jpg" /></a><br />That led to me engaging more with my life than achieving certain plans … but that was alright and I cheerfully and unselfishly submitted to a sybaritic lifestyle. You’re only young once right?<br /><br />With that in mind I’ve been looking forward to next year. I have renovations and other boring stuff that really needs to be done and I wondered what sort of wish could see these achieve as well (like “organise”) but they invariably took me to a point where I’d forever been comparing 2011 (as the most boring year) with 2010 (as a totally fun year!).<br /><br />I absolutely didn’t want to fail before I started so I’ve settled on somewhere in between … with BALANCE. After that the detail should fall into place.<br /><br />I'll have to see whether I can devise some sort of art work to reflect balance. I wonder what I should do?<br /><br />So what are your plans for the new year? Or do you like to wing it and see where life takes you?Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-65975901808660788562010-11-02T12:53:00.009+10:002010-11-02T15:29:58.518+10:00Ruby TuesdayYesterday I met friends for lunch in Gertrude Street, Fitzroy and it was the perfect place to find red stuff for Ruby Tuesday.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-QZIAg7pI/AAAAAAAAFS4/KaYsIj8DeXI/s1600/_MG_8653.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534801228382400146" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-QZIAg7pI/AAAAAAAAFS4/KaYsIj8DeXI/s320/_MG_8653.JPG" /></a><br />Like <a href="http://itsthethingsthatmakeyougommmm.blogspot.com/2010/10/ruby-tuesday_19.html">Abbotsford</a> from a couple of weeks ago, Fitzroy is also an inner city suburb ... even closer to the city than Abbotsford. To put it into context Fitzroy is only a 20 minute walk from work ... it would take about an hour to walk to Abbotsford.<br /><br />Fitzroy is Melbourne's smallest suburb in term of area ... it's approx 100 hectares in size. Fitzroy was also planned as Melbourne's first suburb in 1839.<br /><br />There are some impressive shops along Gertrude St. I particularly liked this building with flats above, although it's now has been converted to a boarding house. Those little red squares you can see on the first floor balcony are bathrooms.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-QZh3iCoI/AAAAAAAAFTA/Pe80tkH5AqQ/s1600/_MG_8654.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534801235324045954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-QZh3iCoI/AAAAAAAAFTA/Pe80tkH5AqQ/s320/_MG_8654.JPG" /></a><br />The area was surrounded by factories and industrial sites in adjoining suburbs, working class homes were built during the 1860s to 1880s. Somehow or other I managed to switch my camera on to B&W (who knows how) but this is one of the earliest homes in and the oldest on Gertrude Street (and you'll just have imagine the red lidded bin outside).<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-UutzUs7I/AAAAAAAAFTQ/aq3h_5lZSnk/s1600/_MG_8684.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534805997351383986" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-UutzUs7I/AAAAAAAAFTQ/aq3h_5lZSnk/s320/_MG_8684.JPG" /></a><br />Despite being such an established suburb Fitzroy was always primarily a working class suburb, although it's undergone waves of both urban renewal and gentrification since the 1950s. At some stage around the 1970s, many of the working class homes were knocked down and those awful multi-storey monstrosities came into being. Fitzroy wasn't the only suburb to suffer fromthis particular problem ... but the flats in Fitzroy are the closest to the city.<br /><br />Many of the buildings along Gertrude Street are original ... with less of the shop modernisations (like new windows) that have happened in Abbotsford. I think that's one of the things I really like about Fitzroy. This is a good example of the lack of sprucing up in the area ... a hairdresser in what looks like original condition from the 1950s.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-FBKVMUmI/AAAAAAAAFSw/2mewZFSp8FY/s1600/_MG_8643.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534788722061234786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-FBKVMUmI/AAAAAAAAFSw/2mewZFSp8FY/s320/_MG_8643.JPG" /></a><br />And another of the shops I remember from the 1980s (at least) is this costume hire place with loads of red in the window ... and can you see the bike with red plastic milk crate. Double red whammy!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM9_VFa1E0I/AAAAAAAAFRQ/N1pGhCtfAeU/s1600/_MG_8582.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534782467270316866" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM9_VFa1E0I/AAAAAAAAFRQ/N1pGhCtfAeU/s320/_MG_8582.JPG" /></a><br />Fitzroy is the centre for Melbourne's Aborigines, with a number of services in the area. The Melbourne Aborginal Youth Sport and Recreation centre ... across the road from where we were lunching.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM9_VRT6jhI/AAAAAAAAFRY/L8ntd8dY8V8/s1600/_MG_8577.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534782470462541330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM9_VRT6jhI/AAAAAAAAFRY/L8ntd8dY8V8/s320/_MG_8577.JPG" /></a><br />... and located in this unrenovated building.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-FASDzZYI/AAAAAAAAFSg/KeEtvENGSNg/s1600/_MG_8598.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534788706955912578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-FASDzZYI/AAAAAAAAFSg/KeEtvENGSNg/s320/_MG_8598.JPG" /></a><br />And Melbourne's only Aboriginal restaurant Charcoal Lane is located in Gertrude Street. It's located in what was a bank from the 1850s and it has the most delightful outside eating area ... with gorgeous red and yellow tables and wooden benches. It's one of the places on our long list of eateries to try.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-QaKteLMI/AAAAAAAAFTI/Q3je8kAsEMQ/s1600/_MG_8656.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534801246287703234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-QaKteLMI/AAAAAAAAFTI/Q3je8kAsEMQ/s320/_MG_8656.JPG" /></a><br />But the area is starting to change and there are lots of examples of gentrification and yuppies moving in ... ooops, I guess that's me!<br /><br />Funky hair dressing salons ... with cute names.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-FAg8TQ2I/AAAAAAAAFSo/tLF9QQENqjM/s1600/_MG_8600.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534788710950978402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-FAg8TQ2I/AAAAAAAAFSo/tLF9QQENqjM/s320/_MG_8600.JPG" /></a><br />Hand crafted items.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-EL1QA34I/AAAAAAAAFSY/ETqOlToqtRM/s1600/_MG_8595.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534787805869301634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-EL1QA34I/AAAAAAAAFSY/ETqOlToqtRM/s320/_MG_8595.JPG" /></a><br />Interesting shops.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-ELkmP1GI/AAAAAAAAFSQ/1P-uDU-zmUY/s1600/_MG_8594.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534787801399153762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-ELkmP1GI/AAAAAAAAFSQ/1P-uDU-zmUY/s320/_MG_8594.JPG" /></a> <br />Amazing and avant garde jewellery.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-EK7vH__I/AAAAAAAAFSA/trWOEeXgag8/s1600/_MG_8592.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534787790430535666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-EK7vH__I/AAAAAAAAFSA/trWOEeXgag8/s320/_MG_8592.JPG" /></a><br />Snazzy boutiques ... with trendy clothing.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-A_iUKskI/AAAAAAAAFR4/iz4fdRAEx8o/s1600/_MG_8583.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-A_XDO00I/AAAAAAAAFRw/sLX6RjjVS_g/s1600/_MG_8588.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534784293069312834" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-A_XDO00I/AAAAAAAAFRw/sLX6RjjVS_g/s320/_MG_8588.JPG" /></a><br />And my favourite type of store with the most appropriate name ... of course, vintage clothing.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-A-zKu2UI/AAAAAAAAFRo/UC3hOwYaLWE/s1600/_MG_8572.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534784283437095234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM-A-zKu2UI/AAAAAAAAFRo/UC3hOwYaLWE/s320/_MG_8572.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TM9_VjfMZoI/AAAAAAAAFRg/B3K4QWRGEWg/s1600/_MG_8575.JPG"></a>Do you like red stuff as much as me ... visit Mary at <a href="http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2010/11/ruby-tuesday.html">Work of the Poet</a> for more glorious redness.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-45251170369507147962010-11-01T15:35:00.005+10:002010-11-01T15:46:18.333+10:00Because I can ... Free range kidsI’ve long thought kids were over parented … parents worry about what might happen so kids don’t walk to visit friends or the park. And don’t get me started on children’s lack of free time because of hot housing kids via structured activities like tennis and violin and ballet.<br /><br />This isn’t a new phenomenon. The world was heading in that direction 20-odd years ago when I had my daughters (now 22 and 24).<br /><br />But why is it so (thank you Professor Julius Sumner Miller)? And what should be done about it?<br /><br />I’ve long thought this behaviour driven by fear … fear of abduction, fear of rape, fear of attack and politicians don’t help with their fondness for using fear to manipulate us (reds under the bed, illegal immigrants, the Taliban etc).<br /><br />Despite the constant barrage of stories in the news I don’t believe the world is more or less safe than it’s ever been. We now live with running water and better hygiene but these are technological advances, and people are basically the same as they’ve ever been because human nature is what’s always been.<br /><br />What we actually have is greater access to information about what happens—at any time anywhere around the world—which makes the world feel unsafer and we have sensationalist media who bring it to us ad nauseum … think of large events like 9/11 (2001) in the US or the Bali bombings (2002). Or the awful things that happen to children like the disappearance of Madeleine McCann (2007), the US toddler duct taped to a wall for entertainment (2010) or the death of the Indian toddler Gurshan Singh in Melbourne (2010).<br /><br />What seems to be happening (and probably increasing) is an assumption that terrible things are waiting for unsuspecting parents and children each time they leave the house … and so life is modified. Life becomes increasingly car dependent, house-centric and life’s options and children’s experience diminishes.<br /><br />I strongly believe that the events that happen outside the house, while tragic, are the exception, and that we are in more danger from those we love than strangers on the street: child abuse, incest, rape, murder … these are more likely to be perpetrated on us by people we know than a stranger. But for some reason the idea that we’re not safe from the people we know or love doesn’t seem to raise an eyebrow.<br /><br />What to do?<br /><br />Lenore Skenazy of <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/lifematters/parental-fear-breeds-cottonwool-kids-study-20101005-165z8.html">Free Range Kids</a> horrified many in 2008 when she dropped off her nine year old in Manhattan and left him to take the subway home alone.<br /><br />A scary thought and probably a little young in my opinion … but as parents we have to put what happens in the world into context and concentrate on teaching children independence and social skills, and that can only happen if they are placed in situations where they make their own decisions.<br /><br />The next steps seem to be acknowledging our fears and reclaiming the world … but I’m not sure how to get to that point.<br /><br />Any ideas?Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-56897356792130169632010-10-31T09:12:00.003+10:002010-10-31T09:35:11.155+10:00Flea Market FindsI thought this week I'd take a little wander through the eclectic blue and white (with a touch of gold) mix that is my crockery cupboard.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMyqPAq4ngI/AAAAAAAAFQQ/LYCkfQhHtgI/s1600/_MG_8321.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533985216986127874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMyqPAq4ngI/AAAAAAAAFQQ/LYCkfQhHtgI/s320/_MG_8321.JPG" /></a><br />Thanks to Reverse Finds hosted by Catherine at <a href="http://pencilsandpins.blogspot.com/">pencils and pins</a> I've been working my way through my kitchen cupboards and so far I've managed three ... of which one is the crockery shelf.<br /><br />It was cluttered before and it still is ... but now it better shows off all the blue and white stuff I've managed to collect.<br /><br />One thing that struck me after I'd done this is how dull too much white and blue of the same shade of blue looks. I think that might be part of the reason why Jo at <a href="http://craftyjoe.blogspot.com/">Joe Bloggs</a> stopped collecting blue and white china.<br /><br />So instead of abandoning the cause I've decided to add a little lime green in ... and you can see the tiny little platter I found a few weeks ago with some lime green in it.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMyqPY2VwRI/AAAAAAAAFQY/LT2R03Pnm3I/s1600/_MG_8323.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533985223476625682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMyqPY2VwRI/AAAAAAAAFQY/LT2R03Pnm3I/s320/_MG_8323.JPG" /></a><br />I just noticed a largish platter at the back with some yellow in it but I just can't warm to that colour in crockery? Can you? And I can see my favourite little bowl ... in the top right corner. I guess I'll just have to share that another time.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMyqO-uVZGI/AAAAAAAAFQI/wsAB_nAMTzk/s1600/_MG_8315.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533985216463725666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMyqO-uVZGI/AAAAAAAAFQI/wsAB_nAMTzk/s320/_MG_8315.JPG" /></a><br />And the theme fits perfectly with the blue and lime green glasses I picked up a couple of months ago ... which I still totally love.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMyqQYTSiNI/AAAAAAAAFQg/zips4xI03xk/s1600/_MG_5146.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533985240509483218" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMyqQYTSiNI/AAAAAAAAFQg/zips4xI03xk/s320/_MG_5146.JPG" /></a><br />For more flea market finds ... Sophie Isobel at <a href="http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/">Her Library Adventures</a> is the place to go.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-4877625632165841962010-10-30T21:25:00.004+10:002010-10-31T09:12:36.093+10:00Reverse FindsI haven’t been very dedicated to Reverse Finds lately … I haven’t been very dedicated to anything much including blogging. I just don’t seem to be able to get motivated.<br /><br />But I definitely need to continue destashing and uncluttering and I tackled Miss C's desk which had a great stash of Miss W's Sweet Valley High books from when she was in primary school.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMylPJ8ejxI/AAAAAAAAFQA/x2HoF_GFFyE/s1600/_MG_8534.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533979721917697810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMylPJ8ejxI/AAAAAAAAFQA/x2HoF_GFFyE/s320/_MG_8534.JPG" /></a><br />Miss W loved (or is that loves?) to read and it was always a pleasure to encourage her.<br /><br />But sometimes I need to be less sentimental and more practical ... and this time I've managed.<br /><br />For more Reverse Finds visit Catherine at http://pencilsandpins.blogspot.com/2010/10/reverse-finds-and-giveaway-winners.html.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-58532265586144591902010-10-29T08:25:00.002+10:002010-10-29T08:27:10.109+10:00Friday knitting patternI wasn’t a fan of the excesses (clothing wise) of the 80s … when everything went big: big shoulder pads, big hair, big jewellery.<br /><br />But there were some things that were pretty … take a look at the pretty pin tucked blouse underneath the cardigan.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMlZsROkgkI/AAAAAAAAFP4/UTUx1jUFc4k/s1600/_MG_8484.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533052234274996802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMlZsROkgkI/AAAAAAAAFP4/UTUx1jUFc4k/s320/_MG_8484.JPG" /></a><br />And how about this jumper? The lacy look and boat neck was all the rage during the 80s and I knitted two identical jumpers: one in pink and another in blue, which I wore all the time.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMlZrTiMSCI/AAAAAAAAFPw/Jj0rDkjUd_A/s1600/_MG_8476.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533052217714296866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMlZrTiMSCI/AAAAAAAAFPw/Jj0rDkjUd_A/s320/_MG_8476.JPG" /></a><br />The only difference was my version had a ribbed neck, which this one does.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMlZq0_pO_I/AAAAAAAAFPo/C7SJMVlI1x0/s1600/_MG_8472.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533052209516329970" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMlZq0_pO_I/AAAAAAAAFPo/C7SJMVlI1x0/s320/_MG_8472.JPG" /></a><br />Have a lovely weekend guys.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-45675306223349132962010-10-28T08:02:00.004+10:002010-10-28T21:03:05.882+10:00My Creative SpaceAs happens with all “twelve steps” program, the first step involves acknowledgement and let me start today … “My name is Susan and I’m a perfectionist”.<br /><br />What’s this got to do with craft and why am I sharing? Because I frogged this week’s project because I wasn’t happy with it!<br /><br />I hadn’t done that much: 3 cms of rib on a baby hat for Baby H and another dozen or so rounds in two colours at three rows at a time. About 6 cms in all I guess.<br /><br />But it was driving me crazy and I’d never have been able to give it away … there were spots where the knitting was really loose when I moved from one needle to the next. And I hadn’t jogged the colours when I changed from black to red and back again, and I couldn’t stand the uneveness of it.<br /><br />So I started it again and it wasn’t easy. It took me hours to cast on and redo the first round … I kept getting it twisted between the four needles, and at one stage I felt like throwing it all to the ground and screaming out at the unfairness of it all. (Gee … maybe I better change that to I’m a perfectionist and I’m stubborn!) But I finally got it to work in the end and so far I’ve redone the rib and I’m very happy with it.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMlX6-DiovI/AAAAAAAAFPg/n4q_AdcWzNA/s1600/_MG_8468.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533050287803245298" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMlX6-DiovI/AAAAAAAAFPg/n4q_AdcWzNA/s320/_MG_8468.JPG" /></a><br />Now, Auntie M, before you email me telling me not to worry … it’s not you, it’s definitely me. And it’s weird because I put this level of pressure on myself and don’t judge others to the same standards. I’ve always been the same and for most things I manage to keep it under control but that little personality flaw remains with me for crafting.<br /><br />Does it happen to you too? Do you drive yourself crazy with the whole perfection thing or do you focus on the experience and getting things done, and it doesn’t matter whether things aren’t perfect? Sometimes I wish I could be like that too …<br /><br />Want to see what others have been up to? Visit Kirsty at <a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/2010/10/my-creative-space_28.html">kootoyoo</a>.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-92008913047095794992010-10-27T15:07:00.003+10:002010-10-27T15:13:30.699+10:00What's Hot and What's NotIt’s the end of the month and time to consider how I’ve travelled this month against my New Year plans … not bad on average.<br /><br /><strong>What’s been HOT</strong><br /><br /><strong>Exercise more</strong>. The stand out success for this year has exercise more. I’m nowhere near obsessive but it’s become easier as the year has passed. Yoga started back this week after a two week break and it was so nice getting back into it. And those 23 flights of stairs up and down a couple of times a week are starting to pay dividends … it’s as easy as pie now walking the three flights of stairs up from the train station and I’m running the single flight between floors at work.<br /><strong>Cook more</strong>. Can you believe I cooked twice this month? That’s probably two out of the four times I’ve cooked this YEAR! So embarrassing.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMayeFZJ1wI/AAAAAAAAFPY/KDRZPhZq7D8/s1600/_MG_8357.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532305422184732418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMayeFZJ1wI/AAAAAAAAFPY/KDRZPhZq7D8/s320/_MG_8357.JPG" /></a><br /><strong>Spend more time with friends and family</strong>. A little more time with Miss C, less time with Mr H (who’s been cranky this month) and lots of time with friends. A nice month on the friend fronts really.<br /><br /><strong>Finish 5 craft projects</strong>. Despite whingeing about not getting anything done I managed to finish two things: the cutest red pixie bonnet, and I’m working on a Manchester United cap for a certain Baby H. Auntie M is going to love it.<br /><br /><strong>Renovate</strong>. Yeah whatever! But at least I’m managing to get a few things cleared out using the Reverse Finds process over at <a href="http://pencilsandpins.blogspot.com/">pencils and pins</a> each Saturday. Thanks Catherine for a great idea ... having too much stuff is my major stumbling block when it comes to renovating and another year of Reverse Finds will see this hurdle overcome.<br /><br /><strong>What’s NOT been Hot</strong><br /><br /><strong>EXPLORE</strong>. I can’t even remember what this means any more and I can’t wait to choose something different next year.<br /><br /><strong>Travel</strong>. No travel here. Hopefully next year. I already raised the idea with Mr H about going to north America again and he was receptive … I wonder if I could arrange to visit western Canada.<br />So how are you going? Are you doing well against this year's plan or maybe you can't wait for next year to try better ... I'm finding myself falling more and more into the latter category.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-85380486740819085742010-10-26T20:34:00.005+10:002010-11-09T08:06:22.789+10:00Ruby TuesdayA couple of weeks ago I met up with my youngest Miss C and my blogging friend Phil for lunch at a North Melbourne eatery called <a href="http://eatandbemerryfortomorrowwediet.blogspot.com/2010/10/cliff-townhouse-restaurant-formerly.html">Di Bella's Coffee Roasting Warehouse</a>.<br /><br />It wasn't the best place we've eaten at but nor was it anywhere the worst and what was great was it filled with lots of red stuff:<br /><br />Lots of coffee machines for sale including this gorgeous red machine.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMavY7mtptI/AAAAAAAAFO4/-lY0LwaKouI/s1600/_MG_8107.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532302035123021522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMavY7mtptI/AAAAAAAAFO4/-lY0LwaKouI/s320/_MG_8107.JPG" /></a><br />Burgers topped with luscious roasted red capsicum.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMaxCZvaEFI/AAAAAAAAFPQ/vVbsnCi02QU/s1600/_MG_8121.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532303847098814546" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMaxCZvaEFI/AAAAAAAAFPQ/vVbsnCi02QU/s320/_MG_8121.JPG" /></a><br />Red covered menus on glass topped tables.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMaxBplmxGI/AAAAAAAAFPA/QpdtT59jHYQ/s1600/_MG_8152.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532303834172802146" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMaxBplmxGI/AAAAAAAAFPA/QpdtT59jHYQ/s320/_MG_8152.JPG" /></a><br />And my favourite ... this gorgeous red lamp shade. I'd love me one of these!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMaxB0WRKrI/AAAAAAAAFPI/0Hg9M3OpNDE/s1600/_MG_8153.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532303837061262002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMaxB0WRKrI/AAAAAAAAFPI/0Hg9M3OpNDE/s320/_MG_8153.JPG" /></a><br />Are you loving red too ... visit <a href="http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2010/10/ruby-tuesday_25.html">Work of the Poet</a> for lots more.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-16652711721449110762010-10-24T10:12:00.004+10:002010-10-24T10:27:11.056+10:00Flea Market FindsIt turns out today is Flea Market Find of the Year ... I lucked on to that considering what I have to share IS probably my best find of the year.<br /><br />And without further ado ... here it is. A gorgeous vintage beauty case in fantastic condition. The exterior, in particular, doesn't have a mark on it.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMN7Jw-yNeI/AAAAAAAAFOY/e5slI-3sdEI/s1600/_MG_8328.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531400175038379490" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMN7Jw-yNeI/AAAAAAAAFOY/e5slI-3sdEI/s320/_MG_8328.JPG" /></a><br />I didn't get out op shopping yesterday. I didn't actually get out at all. I spent the day cleaning and knitting and watching DVDs ... a lovely slow day pampering myself and a great use of the day considering the crappy weather.<br /><br />But that's OK because I'm still excited about this find. Look at the huge and almost perfect mirrow inside And do you like the way the neighbour's tree shows up in the mirror? I had to include this photo because it looks so cool.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMN7KFvUrEI/AAAAAAAAFOg/b09ek2G6vSw/s1600/_MG_8336.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531400180610673730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMN7KFvUrEI/AAAAAAAAFOg/b09ek2G6vSw/s320/_MG_8336.JPG" /></a><br />I'm also still excited about the beauty case despite the obvious purple stain on the inside. It looks huge in the previous photo but not actually that big. Any ideas for how to remove the stain? The interior is absolutely perfect otherwise and I'd love to get ride of it. I have no idea what leaked although the offending bottle (an unmarked no name bottle so I'm guessing hand cream, conditioner or body wash) was still in case..<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMN7KWmxM5I/AAAAAAAAFOo/QH-aV5qjtKo/s1600/_MG_8337.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531400185138197394" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TMN7KWmxM5I/AAAAAAAAFOo/QH-aV5qjtKo/s320/_MG_8337.JPG" /></a><br />There are always lots more vintage finds to explore with Sophie Isobel at <a href="http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/">Her Library Adventures</a>. I can't wait to take a look at the best vintage finds for the year.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091162568107262041.post-85931568216499205612010-10-23T18:43:00.005+10:002010-10-23T18:46:33.329+10:00Reverse FindsLast week I cleaned out my wardrobe and managed to fill this bad for charity. Sorry, I didn't get the chance to photo after I'd finished!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TLEAIMfw6bI/AAAAAAAAFFg/LFzbxyNumIM/s1600/_MG_8016.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand; align: left" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526198358553717170" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rIy3ayjjpTE/TLEAIMfw6bI/AAAAAAAAFFg/LFzbxyNumIM/s320/_MG_8016.JPG" /></a><br />And while I was at work Mr H managed to fill a second bag.<br /><br />A good effort between the two of us.<br /><br />Sometimes Miss Cathy over at <a href="http://pencilsandpins.blogspot.com/">pencils and pins</a> plays and sometimes she doesn't ... a bit like me! In any event it's a great way to sorting through those over flowing cupboards and moving this along to a new home.Snoozehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09520345616959763509noreply@blogger.com1