Sunday driving

Hub and I are not in the fittest of condition at the moment so instead of going off on bushwalking adventures we have to content ourselves with that great Aussie tradition - a sedate Sunday drive!

 This week our wheels led us to a little-known little National Park south-west of Sydney - Thirlmere Lakes.

 Sadly due to the prolonged drought in this part of the world the lakes are a bit short of water!
I'm glad we didnt take the canoes!

There are many signs about the dangers of mud near the lake. As far as we could see the lake was mud!
 But wait! - is that water?

 The lakes are a haven for birds and wildlife - but I think most of them had flown the coop!

We found bugs - 

 and leaves -

 and evidence of wombats -

At least it was very quiet - apart from the unregistered trail bikes, there is a nice little walking loop aroud the lakes and if the water situation improves, we'll be back!

How was your weekend?

In a shop and some new creations

I've been back at Making Spaces Marketplace again this week.

Some of my fellow market space holders were the delightful Danette from Sami Bop -

Sami Bop

who designs and makes cute children's clothes using vintage and recycled fabrics.

Mary from Orange Who -

Orange Who

makes sweet little people's clothes.

Christine from Christine's Millinery -

Christine's Millinery

who makes amazing hats, and not just fancy ones, she has a range of everyday hats too!

While I was there one day some gorgeous soaps from Inner Earth Soap arrived -

Inner Earth Soap

The shop is looking amazing!
If you are in the Parramatta area you really should pop in and have a look.

I have also got my creating mojo back -

I have been noticing that my big chunky necklaces don't seem as popular at the moment.
Is it the season or the economy or just the fashion?
I'm not sure but I have loads of chunky beads, so I decided to design some long necklaces with chain and a few stone beads.
And some shorter ones which have a more dainty vibe -

What do you think?
Do you wear necklaces in the winter? If so what style do you tend to go for?

My creative space

Back to more little beadiness this week.
Another portable beading project to play with while I was at Making Spaces Marketplace.
 

This was inspired by a newbook by Nancy Zellers "Bead Tube Jewelry" and some little wire bracelets I found while out supply shopping on Tuesday.

Peyote stich bead tubes are such fun to make and I was making up the patterns as I went, this involved a lot of frog stitch as well (you know "rippet-rippet" ?*)

What is in your creative space this week?

For more creative spaces or to join in, pop along here.

*the sound of stitches being ripped out when you make a mistake

A new (ad)venture

This week two of my crafty buddies opened a new shop!

It's in Parramatta in western Sydney and is part of the Pop-up Parramatta initiative to revitalise the city centre.

They have filled it with lots of handmade goodies from near and far.

It looks great! - so inviting.

art by benconservato

hats by Christine's Millinery

snack bags by the twin thing

jewellery by me

Here they are - the partners in crime - K1 and K2!

 

For more information about this wonderful enterprise visit here.

1st photo is from making spaces marketplace website

My creative space

My creative space today has been my bed!
Due to having a cold then a secondary infection, cough, fever - you name it - I've got it!

So I have done a lot of reading and some knitting, finishing off a hat I started last year.

Knitting the band round the edge nearly drove me mad! I couldnt pick up the correct number of stiches and had to undo it many times.
Anyway it is now finished apart from sewing the ends in. Yay!

In the afternoon the little deck off our bedroom is a nice sunny spot and has a nice view, but I coundt photograph it because of looking into the sun.
I also look down on the part of the garden where the bower bird's bower is, but it is well hidden.
There was however lots of bowery activity down there.

Here he is - he doesnt look much but he is a lovely glossy bluey-black colour, perhaps about the size of a chicken?

Th cat likes it out on the deck too - anywhere the sun is - that's where she'll be.

If you would like to see more creative spaces you can here.

What have you been creating this week?

Wednesday Wishlist

This week I have found the most divine tea pot!

I have a bit of a "thing" about tea and another bit of a "thing" about teapots.

The simplicity and elegance of this one by clamlab just blows me away!

teapot by clamlab

I am also blown away by people who can create something wonderful from something that was probably less than wonderful to start with - like this recycled clothing shop.

I wish I could be that imaginitive when I go to the op shops and create something - anything from the pickings there.

I guess that's why rebeccasartcloset has a recycled clothing shop and I don't!

lagenlook top by rebeccasartcloset

And this little clutch purse is much too sweet to ignore.

With its little needle felted hedgehog - it's a bit squeeee!

  

mini box pouch by seabreezestudio

7 things I like about working from home

 Some of us are very lucky and have the great pleasure of being able to work from home.
I guess that after doing it for so many years I just take the advantages for granted, but recently I started thinking about what I really like about working from home.

1. I can work in my slippers. And my really comfortable tracky-dacks. Or anything I like.
2. I can start and stop when I like. I can start and stop several times day if I like. I can work well into the night.
3. I have a beautiful view from my workroom window. And it's the warmest room in the house in the winter.
4. I can listen to the radio. I do love listening to the radio - Radio National mostly, lots of words and a bit of music.
5. I can have unlimited cups of tea. this is very important.
6. I can go out for a walk if the outdoors beckons (or a bike ride or whatever). It's important to gat out of the house sometimes, don't you think?
7. I can put the washing on and do some work. I can put dinner on and do some work. Probably not a very disciplined way to work, but I feel that I'm getting some housework done at the same time. Multi-tasking!

What do you enjoy about working from home?

What do you enjoy about working from home?

My week

What a varied week!

On Sunday we went for a "drive" due to the fact that the OH is on crutches and I'm still suffering with a head cold.
We found this wonderful lookout over Lake Burragorang which is Sydney's main water supply.
They flooded a beautiful river valley to make it and a village had to be moved.

 Then we drove to see our daughter take part in the Tough Bloke Challenge!
 This involves a 6km run and 10 obstacles - including plenty of mud!

This was afterwards!
They said it was the best fun they ever had.

On the way we stopped at the lovely little village of Picton and just caught the end of the market there. Just enough time to grab some cupcakes and handmade soaps.

Now here's a sight you don't see every day -

I have no idea why this lonely camel is in a field near the M5 motorway.

I just had to show you what I cooked last night -

corn fritters layered with roasted mushrroms and roasted tomatoes, guacamole and red pepper strips.
Yum!

How was your week?

My creative space

My creative space this week has been invaded by ink, stamps and wooden bangles!

Some bits and pieces I've had hanging around for a while - you know, as you do?!

If you would like to see what other creative spaces are hanging around this week or would like to join in then head on over to Our Creative Spaces.

See you next week!

Wednesday Wishlist

Hi! how is your week going?
Are you coping with hump day?

Well I hope your week is not too shabby! but I wouldnt mind this shabby chic bag by dkshopgirl

antique inspired bag by dkshopgirl

There's nothing shabby about this lovely little wintery scene by aliette

nuit by aliette

Oh! and this isnt too shabby either!

felt scarf by aureliaLT

Enjoy the rest of the week - remember, it's all downhill the rest of the way!

My creative space

All the little sewingy thingys are finished (for now) so it's back to little transportable beady projects.

This is a pattern I bought many years ago from Stephanie Eddy at a Bead and Button show when I was lucky enough to go to Milwaukee, USA!

It is a little floral bracelet using seed beads and glass flowers and leaves - so sweet and it's easy too!

What's in your creative space?

If you would like to join in and share your creative space or just have a sticky to see what other are up to - pop on over to Our Creative Spaces.