Saturday, December 25, 2010

For me

I bought myself 1 present for Christmas. Oh, except for that extra night in a Melbourne hotel!

My present?

A product from the AUM makeup range.

Ultra Hydrating Rose Facial toner.

Certified organic.
Australian made.
Cruelty free.
Fairtrade.

Yum.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Little Spaces

What does one do
When one lives in a shoe (box)
- with no room for a tree?

No, seriously, living in a studio appartent I have no room for a normal size Christmas tree. This can be disappointing because I love the smell and look of a huge, green, real Christmas tree! But, decorating the small places can be just as fun.
 
 This is my 'outside tree'. A small Aussie Christmas bush decorated with a few bits and bobs.

And this is my 'inside tree'. A twig decorated with my felt hearts, knitted stockings, glass icicles and wooden peg gnomes.
 
A little nest with felt acorns rests in one of the boughs.

At the base sits another antique wooden peg gnome-ess I made, as well as some of my ceramic birds.

Other decorations include an antique bottle, some Australian gum tree branches, and bees wax candles.

Some ceramic deer I picked up from a thrift shop and garage sale.

Felt hearts are hung in the doorway.

So, these are some of my ideas for decorating the little spaces for Christmas.

x

Christmas on the road.

Only two more working days until we jump in the car and go road tripping. 
Exactly one year since the last road trip.
Waterholes, native animals, magical little places. 
Christmas on the road.


Monday, December 13, 2010

Yum


I love this  Holiday giveaway from Mummy Sam!
x

That Felt Nice...


Image and pattern from http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/2006/12/cozy-up-with-blanket.html


I love these felt garlands from Anna Maria! I first saw them on 'Whip Up' and wanted to share them as well.

So easy to make and so beautiful.

I want to make some - when I do I will post them here. If you make some, show me!
x

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Sparrow head




A step on from my little clay birds.

I have been wanting to do something a bit different and make a pretty little fairy doll.

Once I had done the head and neck however, I quite liked the look of a mini clay bust. And then, of course, the bird just had to be added.  

I hope it doesn't fall apart in the kiln when firing!

x

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Perfect

Nature is so perfect.

In the wild storms of a couple of months ago I found this nest.
Tree branches and leaves lined the streets, having been ripped from trees by the wind.

In a lovely mass of twigs in the middle of the road lay this beautiful nest.
It is not small. About 20cm.
It is perfect.

The white fleece in the centre, amazingly was placed there perfectly by the bird who made it. It looks like it was done by a human hand.

The little native leaves, and a tiny little bit of banksia blossom were also there when found.
Perfect.

Just to let you know, I would never pluck a nest from a tree. Ever.

Near my house in the undergrowth is a finches' nest. Like a little hidden bundle of woven twigs with a perfectly round entrance.
If I move the reeds I can see the nest. I dare not touch it. It looks like it is not in use but I would hate for my touch to ruin someone else's home.

So, I claimed this nest pictured for my own and would like to share it with you.

Love


x

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Felt the Love


Felt hearts with vintage buttons and vintage lace and an awkward little blanket stitch.
Hung along the door frame with a little piece of bluetack - they are so light they won't fall down.
And wrapped in some second hand tissue paper for gifts.


Monday, December 6, 2010

Brown Sugar Oaty Splodges


I get super hungry at night.
I only ever do a daily shop so I never have anything in the fridge or cupboard except typical pantry items.

So, I cook oat cookies. 
Oat cookies of any variety possible.
I don't measure. I don't use a recipe. 
I just get a noodle bowl and fill it with ingredients, stir, get the right consistency, then taste the batter. If the batter is good, then the cookies will be good. Well, that's the idea anyway.

Tonight...
Brown sugar, old banana, currant, coconut oat cookies.

Ingredients:
1 scary old banana
A dumping of brown sugar
A dumping of wholemeal self-raising flour
A couple of handfuls of oats
Maybe a little more self-raising flour 
A dumping of coconut
A dumping of currants
A bit of old custard powder
A splash of milk
A slick of rice bran oil
More brown sugar
Fingers crossed. Taste. Yum...

Then I splodge spoonfuls of the mix in baking paper, keeping space between each splodge. Shake brown sugar over cookies. Cook at 180 degrees till I think they are toasty.

Such a technical feat.
So delicious.
'Where's my cookies?'
'Coming dear'...grin...eat...yum...Happy.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Sea Shells by the Sea Shore

The non-stop rain has meant a blooming of the most wonderful fungi...

Seaweed like a mini tree...

 A bucket found in the sand used to collect shells. A little paddle in the water...

Marks in an old trunk made by insects? Reminding me of an ancient text.

Happy Monday
x

Friday, December 3, 2010

Birds of a Feather, Christmas Together




After such a long time of not posting, my photography has gone a little downhill. It was hard to photograph these little ceramic birds. I have made them for Christmas presents - a touch of blue and green and a rubbing of gold dust. I have heard other bloggers say the same, but after making presents and decorations I feel no desire to buy anything - no tinsel, no nothing. It's a nice feeling.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Meditation and Discipline


As a break from marking and reporting (and consequent utter brain drain) I have been crocheting and making felt heart decorations for Christmas (more to come).


However, yesterday I thought ENOUGH - I need a day off from marking and reporting. I need a day just enjoying my teaching practice. And so I did exactly what the kids were doing - realistic representations of scientific specimens.


Yes, I feel so much more relaxed, and ready for a full weekend of catch up reports. Sometimes all we need is that little bit of time out.