Feeling grey

Some days, despite the sunshine - life can seem so grey.

There have been so many changes this year, some for the better, some not so and others.... well one must bide their time and wait to see what happens. Perhaps there is a silver lining.... only time will tell.

The awesome Melissa Averinos from YummyGoods inspired me to write this wee post. Kinda funny that someone can inspire you to write about grey days, but here we are. Check out her blog and superb shop. Melissa designs fabric patterns and I have long admired her colourful funky patterns. In some ways, I identify with her style. And appreciate her candid style, refreshing honesty and ability to write about life's up and downs.

It has been so busy lately, and I am struggling to recover from this flu, compounded by being rundown and a distinct lack of sleep (due to coughing - not for lack of trying to sleep I pinky promise!!!). There are changes afoot in the wee blue house, but for now I shall simply accept that the universe works in mysterious ways.

I like to think that days of grey are simply a way of giving oneself a chance to stop and ponder. To perhaps step into internal mode, or maintenance mode. Accept that occasionally one has to let it wash over. I also believe that to avoid such days only adds to their impact later.

God I need to smell the ocean air. Perhaps that can sit high on my to do list for tomorrow.

A trip to the beach..... sand between my toes..... inhaling strong briny sea air.... mmm feeling better already.

And [out].

Celebrating Halloween

I wasn't too keen on celebrating Halloween being a predominantly American tradition (alongside Thanksgiving, July the 4th, Guy Fawkes) but with children.... things change.

Last year all Oliver wanted was a pumpkin. Do you think I could even manage that? Ah, no. This year - I was rostered to work so I guiltily thought I would get out of it. Unfortunately I am still struggling with the flu which reared its ugly head again midweek. Meh.

Our good friends K&M invited us to a Halloween themed dinner at the Good, Bad & the Ugly restaurant so we decided we would go along. The boys had teeball in the morning and won their game which set the tone for the day. (Yes work, even when I am sick - life outside work still goes on). Luckily, my thrifting ways meant I had most of the costume pieces the boys needed. We rocked! Check it out.

My boys playing their third game. Oliver and Sheahan are in the same team with Sheahan's best friend. A motley assortment of kids who have formed a tight knit team coached by K and supported by Warwick.

Reluctant at first to lend their faces to my MM paint and sponge,

they eventually allowed me to paint their faces pale and add the deep black (eyeshadow)

rings underneath their eyes.

A solemn sort.

The restaurant had thought of everything! The meals were suitably gross (tasted delicious though!) and there were activities for the children to do - plus a treat bag each to decorate and take home. Afterwards we watched "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" which, despite my initial fear and terror of all things spooky I actually enjoyed.

The Pumpkin.

The pithy centre - Ollie pulled out some seeds and ran out to the garden to plant them

A face of sorts - according to Oliver "It's okay because daddy is an artist - he knows what to do"

Super cool Jack O'Lantern

Waz took on the task of carving the pumpkin the next day (yes, I know it was a day late but Oliver wasn't in the least bit fussed). We ended up with a massive pumpkin with notoriously thick leathery skin but to his credit - he made it seem easy!

Oliver has been in pumpkin heaven, lugging the darn thing around the house to view it in different locations, we had to take it down to Rockingham to scare Dedek, and then to Lola's where we had to view it with a tealight in the darkness.

All in all - a successful Halloween.

Welcome November.

Dumbo Feather

pass it on....

Prior to my Challenge of the Utmost Kind........ (ChUK?) hehehe I purchased a copy of Dumbo Feather. I had read about this most intriguing mook (mag/book) about two years ago and it languished in my "Favourites" bookmark folder to look into at a later date.

Imagine my utter joy at finding a copy at my wee newsagents! Dumbo Feather interviews in depth 5 talented and creative people per issue - about their respective journeys into doing what makes their hearts sing. I just love my first copy. I also got online and discovered you could buy an ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION which means....... just maybe...... I can uphold my end of the bargain. Or I could borrow a copy from the library.

My DH is overjoyed at my decision to take on this challenge. He actually raised the possibility of such a challenge a few years ago - I recall I was acquainting myself with a newly emerged Ollie and I was rather short tempered with him. What? Are you serious? I have a brand new baby in the house!!!!!!!!! Madness. Sheer madness.... oh how the tune has changed. Or have I? Who knows. I just know that it was one of things that resonated.

And it is time to get creative.

The Dottie Angel Challenge of the Utmost Kind

I have been a cyberfan (read blog lurker) of Dottie Angel for some time now - admiring Tif's purty aprons and slips, so much so that I have been inspired to take on her handcrafted, handmade and opshop (thrift) challenge. A whole year? Well... that scares me somewhat but I am preparing myself for it. And rather excited by the opportunity to give it a shot. After all, this wee princess survived the 100 Day Action Plan! I have even made some similar slips for the amply built princesses about town that I would like to launch at the upcoming Made On The Left market.

This pic is so bright and colourful - and shows a glimpse of her Airstream

(I am jealousy custard over that one!)

And why not! After all, as my friends and family know - I have always been into opshopping, council collection shopping (for the uninitiated, the council earmark a week every quarter for throwing out your old household items and in the preceding week we, and many others go "shopping" on other people's verges). I will find it desperately hard to avoid IKEA but the benefits far outweigh the guilty post-purchase blues.

The precious Olive - underneath her sweet bunting made with much love by Tif.

A wee corner of Tif's delightful home - I swoon every time and imagine that I too have enough space to have such a lovely set up.

My rules will be equally as simple;

1. I will do my utmost to buy handmade, secondhand, opshop goods in lieu of new- the exception being groceries, essentials such as underthings and the like.

2. I will endeavour to include gifts in this challenge - though there are a few things that Santa has already invested in.

3. The children will be involved to a certain extent - we have enacted the "one thing in - three things out" when it comes to toys and books.

4. My jewellery supplies are excluded *BUT* I will halt further purchases until I destash some more.

(thank goodness I picked some stuff up today.... hehehehe.... ahem)

Your support, opinions, suggestions are warmly encouraged. Being rather impulsive - I may need more than a gentle reminder on occasion. But I am being brave, and I am excited about the potential of this becoming an intrinsic part of our lives.

I realise this means no more glossy magazines, books - I have started going to the library again .... storage containers (another reason to destash) and much more creative thinking on my behalf .... I can hear the giggles from here. Why not join up?

[All images courtesy of Dottie Angel - thankyou for allowing me to post them here]

Thought of the Day

Thinking aloud.

"Your own piece of real estate" ring. By Moi.

Of late, I have been blogging in my mind and neglecting to put it writing. Never fear sweet friendly readers, I am still here - I just took a step back to get into my new working routine. So far, so good..... and then I got struck down by the terrible 'lurgy.

So this week, after a rather draining and busy weekend (Subiaco Craft Fair) I have been a little kinder to myself. I went and had my nails done and a pedicure. Things I can do at home but are just such a luxury to outsource occasionally. I have also embarked on phase two of the great household destash, removing some more scrapbooking items out of the house and into interested hands (thankyou MsK).

Oh... and I joined my local gym. And despite my terrible insecurities I really enjoyed my first session with the trainer (last Friday) when the 'lurgy hit. On his advice (true story) I should not return until I am better. I am prepared, I have an excellent selection of teeny bopper music - an angsty P!NK video to watch at home on the cross trainer and a will to improve my health.

Disco Baby earrings

Market Madness...

Subiaco Craft Fair - by the Rotary Club of Matilda Bay was held last Sunday 25 October at the Oak Lawns, University of WA (UWA). Splendid location, great layout, over 200 stalls..... Pity there were so many resellers and "pretend" handmade artisans. Given the stall spaces were fairly expensive and there was a high entry fee (for adults $10 - families $25) with very little entertainment of provision of activities for said families that was a major disappointment. To top that off there were road closures around Perth which made access to UWA a little difficult.

I still managed to cover my costs, and the exposure is always invaluable but a shame that there were some obstacles in the way of a fabulous day. It was also humid and I had a fever - but I was medicated and in the shade so I really can't complain too much.

Thought I would add some eye candy.

Simple pretties

Easy layout this time as I had little energy.

Bit too close up - amusement token cufflinks

These were very popular!

Amusement Token Cufflinks

Ear Candy - I love these.

And behind the scenes.....

I errrr...... don't do market prep very well.

Unfinished business as always - perhaps next market???

A sample of my lock collection

(to complement the keys I so love)

More than welcome - look forward to another chat soon xxx

I am still here.

May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being.

Apache Blessing

Chat soon...... been missing you all.

School holidays

At last, a few precious days of sunshine. It is school holidays here and I feel compelled to let you know I am still here -just enjoying the days go by. MissK and I took the kids to Deepwater Point to enjoy the afternoon sun on Wednesday. Ollie found himself a wee friend. Albeit a dead blowie but still a friend. He was incredibly upset I wouldn't let him take him home.

"But it has a cute mouth and really blue eyes"

"It's dead Ollie - it will get stinky and full of germs"

"But why do we have seahorses at home that are dead and dried?"

"Errr..... you just can't do that with blowies baby, they're different"

And so the conversation goes.

Ewwwww. And he held onto it for hours.

Lola has the boys today - Sheahan has spent a few days with her enjoying the solitude. I know that as the eldest child I expect much of him so this is a chance for him to just be. They missed each other dreadfully..... within minutes they were hollering and pinching like they had never left each other's side. And (hehehe) Lola has offered to take them to the Royal Show today.

So today I have my solitude.... a million things to do and nightshift to top it off. Although I find summer far too hot for my liking, I long for the days of warmth and sunshine.

FLICKR

FLICKR

Some more examples of my work to date - sadly I haven't got images for over 90% of my designs. I have a process whereby I now take images before I supply them so I will be able to put together a gallery of sorts showcasing the best of both my styles - Lotta and princesslotta.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my week off EVERYTHING (except motherhood and employment) and topped it off with a weekend down south - Photos to follow!

100 days and out.

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.”

Confucius

Silence interrupted by the occasional blurt. That describes the last ten days perfectly!

I have accomplished something I wasn't completely confident in..... I set some concrete goals and recorded my progress towards them. It's a no-brainer but I have happily written down goals in the past and promptly forgot them. I am proud of my achievements and will be taking the next week or so away to concentrate on keeping these habits (and getting into a new routine with an expected change in work hours).

Thanks to the dear people who have supported me along the way - shared their stories, sent me encouragement and laughed along the way. You know who you are xxxx See you in a week!