Summer

I haven't been here.

Because I've been here ...

Doing lots of this ...

and this

and a little bit of this

Happy 2012 to you all!

Carmel

x

It's beginning to look a lot like ...

 

Christmas!

 

This weekend we made a trip out to Penrith

to the AAA Christmas Tree Farm.

Such choice!

The final decision made, Man O' Mine

donned his tree cutting and carrying shirt

and set to with saw and muscles

to bring home the perfect tree.

 

This is one of our traditions.

I try to embrace it, even though driving for over an hour

to look for a Christmas tree is totally against my practical self.

I struggle with Christmas preparations when it's hot enough to wear

a bikini and drink icy cocktails,

and not be wearing a woollie pully,

wrapped up in a scarf, sipping cocoa.

I go for the Nutcracker, meets the sea

and manic crafter tree theme.

Each year new bought and handmade ornaments are added to the tree.

This year The Fairy decorated the tree with her Da early on Sunday morning.

 

Did I mention the house is covered in lights

and lit up like, well, a Christmas tree?

We are truly the Griswalds.

 

Carmel

x

My Creative Space

In the Round.

I've almost finished this sleep over bag for The Fairy.

I had crocheted a strap to put over it,

but it just didn't seem right.

I've left it alone for a couple of days,

in the hope that I'll come up with

that something right.

I'm leaning heavily towards making it a back pack.

The pattern is based on

Lucy's crochet bag from

Attic 24.

I say based, because I came across it on another blog

(sorry, I cannot remember)

and just looked at the picture and decided I could do that.

There was another bag before this one.

It is eNORmous.

That's what just looking does.

For this one I used a smaller hook and less rows in the round before I started

decreasing the stitches.

I have put a drawstring with pom poms through the top.

It is super cute, even if I do say so myself.

Two back pack straps will just finish it off,

keeping the super cute intact, me thinks.

Have a wander here for a view onto a creative world.

Carmel

x

Boo!

Busy sewing up a Halloween costume for The Fairy.

One of my favourite autumn celebrations

(northern hemisphere)

It's still very odd for me to go trick or treating

in the light, wearing little more than shorts and t-shirt.

The Fairy has been invited to a friend's for a party

followed by trick or treating.

I won't be joining her this year, as it clashes with Spanish lessons.

I didn't think the 14 year old in the house would be interested.

Got that wrong.

He put in an order for a Zorro costume last night.

Too Late!

He will have to be happy with a nerd pack from the $2 shop.

Zorro was reaching $50 at the fancy dress shop.

Of course if I had had enough notice,

I could have put a spectacular something together for him

without breaking the bank.

Off to sort out a something or other for the Fairy head.

Me thinks this is a  glue gun opportunity - yippee!

Are you heading out this evening?

Happy Halloween!

Carmel

x

What was that song ...?

I got a brand new pair of rollerskates ...

(Well not me, The Fairy)

The birthday money from relatives has been spent.

Couldn't wait for Father Christmas.

I rather fancy a pair myself.

I always wanted some as a child.

We shared a 3rd hand bike between 3 of us,

so skates were never going to happen.

The Fairy was practicing around the house for an evening.

The next day we had a skate to the park.

She made it all the way back too.

Lots of fun.

We are off to see Mary Poppins tomorrow.

The Fairy and I.

We gave her tickets for her birthday.

We are both as excited as each other.

She picked out her outfit before going to bed last night.

We will have lunch in the city

and a mooch around Zara beforehand.

What are you up to for the weekend?

Carmel

x

Blooming Marvellous Monday

Happy Monday!

This is what you get for 25c

from our driveway flower stall.

Carmel

x

Hola!

Him Indoors wanted to learn a different language.

His dream is to sail around the globe

and I advised him that Spanish is spoken all over the world

(totally off the top of my head, because he asked and that was the answer I came up with).

He started last term, but work commitments meant he only attended two classes.

He deferred to this term and booked me in as well.

Off we went on Monday evening.

There was a quick dash to the stationary shop on Monday morning,

because; any excuse really.

What fun!

I'm looking forward to next week.

This little package arrived yesterday from

Leah of

Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me

I won the giveaway

Yoo Hoo!

Have rarely won anything in my life, so this was an exciting moment for me.

The peanut slab has already been devoured

and the Fairy has her eye on the little flax bag.

The photo does not do justice to the pendant,

it's truly a beautiful piece.

Thanks Leah!

Sydney is just glorious this week.

Hope all yours are going well.

Carmel

x