Yearnings? August Moon 2013

Meredith writes: Have you developed new yearnings so far this year? Let go of old ones?

Have I developed new yearnings this year?
I think I have!
I am yearning to slow down, be less frantic, organise less.
Enjoy more. 

Have I let go of old ones?
...I might have to think about that a bit more! 

Sunday Snippets - a walk in the park.

A great way to spend a Sunday - a bushwalk in the middle of suburbia, in Lane Cove National Park.

Words as traveling companions. August Moon 2013

Kat asked:

What word did you choose as your travelling companion in 2013? How is it working for you? Where have the surprises been?
If you didn’t choose a guiding word, what word sums up your year so far? And why? 

Mark Twain by saltylyon

I think my word might be "dream".
What am I dreaming about? Why - exploring and discovering of course.

Parts of the dream realised so far - 
Some land to build a house.
A caravan for travelling and also to live in while we build the above.
A car to tow the darn thing.
Some house plans almost finalised....

More will be revealed! haha, so sneaky and cryptic. 

Joining in with Kat and Meredith at August Moon 2013.

Counting my blessings - August Moon 2013

1. I have a lot to look forward to.

Holiday in Italy in a week's time for example!

image from maitaly

2. I live in a beautiful part of the world.

There are lots of great walks in the bush around here and within an hours drive some gorgeous scenery in a World Heritage area.

3. My family - yes, I have to count my family. My wonderful, funny, happy, independent, supportive family.

4. A new coffee shop has opened down the road! It is indeed a blessing....and he roasts his own beans too.

Well, I'm a bit tired now and have to leave my blessings a 4. I'm sure I must have more....but I'll think on it overnight.

I'm taking part in August Moon 2013 over on I Saw You Dancing.

August Moon day 2. Seize the season.

I've had enough of winter, thankyouverymuch.
Even though it has been a very mild winter this year and even though the winters here are mild by world standards.
But I don't like the cold *full stop*!

I like summer but I guess I love the inbetween seasons the most....spring with the scent of wattle and jasmine, with the gum trees in flower.

When you can feel that breath of warmth in the air.

When you just know that it won't be too long until you don't have to have the electric blanket on the bed anymore.

You don't have to be all bundled up in jumpers and socks.

When the days get longer and the evenings are light.

Yes, yes - that's what I like!

Roll on summer!

It's not too late to join in with august Moon 13 - jump on over to I Saw You Dancing.

August Moon 2013 Day 1

I'm joining in with August moon 2013 which is being hosted over on I saw You Dancing by Kat and Meredith.
From today up to the end of the month we'll be reflecting  on the year as it has been and maybe more (I'm not sure yet, they have yet to reveal all!)



Today, the first day we ask ourselves -

How have you treated yourself this year? 

Have you kept your intentions?

This year I have been trying to slow down a bit, ease back on some passions and take a back seat sometimes.

I am looking for new directions and outlets for my business in anticipation of a really big change in our lives nest year. (This will be documented on my other blog - Adventurers with G & T)

I am trying to stay fit and healthy.

My underachieving thyroid is not being very cooperative and sometimes I feel awful, just awful.

Some days I feel great though.

Have I kept my intentions? Well.....yes....and no!

I have really eased up on doing markets, I am trying to take a back seat in my craft co-op (mostly successfully) and I have my jewellery in a couple of other local outlets.

As for looking after myself - I go to yoga once a week, I try and get out for a walk or bike ride most days and I have started the fast diet.

That's about all!

I f you would like to join in with August Moon 2013 pop on over to I Saw you Dancing.

Along the old canal {bikeride} - Wordless Wednesday

How to - make your own instagram fridge magents

Sooooo you're addicted to instagram.....but - then what?

Here is a great little tute from Design*Sponge on how to turn your instagram snaps into snappy fridge magnets.

I must admit I haven't tried it yet, but it's definitely on my "to-do" list.

There are a few other tutorials out there and this one from See Kate Sew mentions using adhesive magnetic paper.

I like the look of one by Photojojo as well as they use dimensional magic to make the magents look like real ones! Check it out here.

I've no idea if any of this super-magentic stuff is available in shops here in Aus, but you can always order on-line.

Have you made fridge magnets with your instagram pics?
Or done anything else wonderfully creative with your little snapshots of life?

Out and about - a new market in my 'hood.

I love markets!
I loved markets long before I became a stallholder and there used to be just one market in my 'hood many years ago.
Now it seems that there are markets everywhere, every weekend - springing up like mushrooms!

It's so nice to go to a market as a visitor/customer...no getting up at sparrowfart, no lugging all your stuff there and then packing up again...what a treat!
It's also so nice that there is a new market just a short distance from home - and it is on a Sunday.
Plus it was a glorious day!

Mr planet quite likes markets too, but gets a bit bored if I find people I know to chat to (which often happens)...but we met up again at the cake stall.

Ham designs

Alison Dickin Botanical Art

Morish Morsels

This market is held at Blaxland Public School on the Great Western highway at Blaxland, in the Blue Mountains on the 2nd Sunday of the month.
It's worth a look.

How to - make all sorts of bracelets

Now is the time of year to start thinking of making bracelets again ready for summer.
Strangely, or maybe not so strangely, bracelets are not popular in the winter, probably because we're all bundled up with jumpers and coats - but summer is a great time for bare arms and arm adornments.

Here are a few tutorials that I have saved on some more unusual bracelets, not just your run-of-the-mill bead stringing that I might have a go at one day - or for you to try.

These wrapped cord or leather bracelets have been very popular and you could use any sort of bead, in fact I have seen them made with bead stash beads.
Thanks to bead supplier Fusion Beads for this one.

wrapped bracelet from fusion beads

This one is a great use for old ties and I could see it working for other fabrics as well. You could even embellish the fabric more with beads, buttons, free embroidery etc.

necktie bracelet from Linda Eve's Blog

The next one is very simple - all you need is a wooden bangle, some paper and some glue!
You could also possibly use fabric or ribbon.
I found this on the blog Platinum Blonde Life where it was mentioned that it was originally created by Fashion is Spinach in Neet magazine which seems to be no longer available.

cute printed bangles

Here's a great one for recycling some of your old tshirts or off-cuts from other projects.
It does require fairly long strips of fabric though.

jersey knit bracelet by V and Co

Remember the old knitting needle bracelets that were popular a year or so ago?
Here is a variation on that - this time recycle your old toothbrushes!

toothbrush bangles from smilemonsters

So bracelets do not need to be "just beads" but can be made out of just about anything.
Have you made bracelets from unusual materials?

Jewellery storage - 7 things

I may be just a little obsessed with jewellery storage - I wonder why?!

There are so many fabulous creative ideas out there, beautiful decorative creations, works of art and simply gorgeous home decor ideas.

What is your favorite way of storing your jewellery?

Not in a heap on your dresser I hope!?

Are you a traditional jewellery box type of person?
Like this beautiful box crafted by vermontwoodnart using the most beautiful woods - it's truly an heirloom piece.

walnut box by vermontwoodnart

I'm quite liking the idea of this re-purposed medicine cabinet - it will hold a lot of jewellery and more besides and then you can close the door and everything is neatly out of sight.
Check out NanandPopsAttic for more styles of jewellery organisers.

cabinet by NanandPopsAttic

I may have said this before but I have a few of these old printers drawers - I use mine for displaying my goods at markets, but look what BlackForestCottage has done!
Soooo much fabulous storage! And so well thought out.
You can really make a wonderful display on your wall with this one.

printers drawer storage by BlackForestCottage

Another wall display - this one is somewhat more rustic, but it does have a built-in light and they go the whole re-purposed road with hooks make from old forks and railroad nails.
Certainly would be a talking point!

wall organiser by RusticCreek

I have to include a ceramic option.
If you don't have a lot of necklaces and bracelets this is just perfect for your rings and you could pop a few pairs of earrings in the tray.
I love the crackle glaze in the bottom.

ceramic ring holder by ClayRoadStudios

This little number is a bit similar to my own earrings holder - but this has got extra assets!
It has knobs on the side for your necklaces and little hollows in the bottom for other bits and pieces - plus it rotates! What more could you ask for?

earring organiser by vermontwoodnart

This one is very stylish - and it holds 52 pairs of earrings!
You can also hang your necklaces and bracelets - and it has a shelf.

jewellery storage by ImproveResults

So much choice!
Which one would you chose?

I go for a bikeride while waiting for my car to be serviced

 ...and on the way I saw -
a buddist temple

and all sorts of birds.

Hey, what are you two eating?

Noodles?

More urban architecure -

and a shopping trolley graveyard -

Also some lovely waterways, reclaimed from old sand pits -

Very popular with some birds -

There's also a beach -
A beach?

There are some other surprises!

Wrong way! Go back!

Across rivers -

Hello! What are you doing?

Who? me?

This little family group crossed my path and took a bit of stalking to get a photo - those little tackers can more fast!

Lots of these stunning red flowering trees - the rosellas loved then too (but they wouldn't let me get a photo)