My Artistic Bone....

I am a self confessed non-artist....I do not feel like I have a creative bone in my body...alas!

So, might I add, being married to an artist for six years did wonders for my creative self esteem....a little sarcasm there, if you missed it. But he did teach me one things - ok....maybe two.


One - I learned to appreciate art, and I have a growing love for emerging artists. (This perhaps comes from me still trying to prove myself as a supportive wife to a 'starving artist'....or some psychological, subconscious motivation. Whatever.) I  especially love buying art, prints - I still cannot afford originals (I wish!), from people I know or friends of friends or artists I have actually had a conversation with. (There needs to be some sort of personal connection) 


and Two - I have discovered a love of getting pictures framed. I feel like I can add a little of my own creative flair (I cannot type/say that word without thinking of 'Office Space' - still a hilarious movie!) and somehow enhance the already brilliant piece of art (clearly I would not purchase art that was lacking in brilliance!)

I currently own four pieces (including one from my ex) by difference artists that I have gotten framed - most of them are small. Here is my latest edition by Erin Hammill...I have had it unframed for awhile because its larger than what I am used to, and I was worried about the $$ to frame - wasn't nearly as expensive as I thought...It feels so good to have it finally on my wall! You can see it as soon as you walk into the house and it looks fabulous!

I am in mad, passionate love with the frame.....

My other prints are by Elisabeth Bell, John Summerfield, and Steven Bowerman (a seasoned local artist).

Do you love art??

A Most Excellent Gift.....

Its my birthday in just over a week and, at my request, my amazing husband (seriously, he is awesome, I could go on ;) bought me a sewing machine. :)

Considering I can't patch a hole, fix a hem, darn a sock, and can barely sew on a button (Oh, the shame!  You can imagine how scruffy my children look sometimes :/) Add the double shame of having a dress-making Babushka....

love her to pieces!! xx

 I thought it was about time I learnt some skills myself. I did learn sewing in Year 9 - I loved it, but never had the chance motivation or the patience (or a patient enough mother....kidding...mostly ;) to continue with it.

I was spoiled growing up - having almost all of my clothes made for me up until the age of 17. When I was younger it felt kinda daggy and uncool, but when I became a teenager I realised that all I had to do was describe the style of the item I wanted and Babushka would sketch it and make it for me (I wish now that I had slightly more style back then!). She stopped sewing as much because mass produced clothing, of not so bad quality, became so much cheaper than the cost of making clothes. Which was a far point, and I was left to buy clothes off the rack....ugh :) Clothes shopping was depressing because I had so much trouble finding clothes to fit, being tall they were too short and packin' a sizable booty for my frame they were often too tight.

Over the last couple of years I have become sick to death of the struggle of trying to find clothes that look half decent that aren't ridiculously expensive. Even when you know the styles that look good on you the transient fashions makes them hard to find all the time...but I do have to say, I am super grateful for stretch fabric!!

So Anyway - I wanted to learn to sew in order to patch clothes and make costumes for my children, sew dolls clothes for Amelie, and 'alter' clothes for me. More specifically, due to my recent love for recycled clothing, I want to buy OP shop clothes and alter, remake, or add to them. Super exciting!!....Oh yeah, and whatever Michael wants me to do for him! :)


But, I guess I better learn to sew first, huh?

My new toy!

Lesson one - winding bobbins - successful!!

Close up! - not over excited at all!

Bought some remnants from Spotlight to get my practice on!

Kitchen Goodness.....

It's almost Mother's Day.....yay!! 

I have been looking forward to it all year.....because, there is actually something I really really want.....

A funky apron!!

Something like this....but there are so many styles to choose from!!

Birthday Day......

I had a fabulous, crazy, action packed day!! It.Was.Awesome!!

I got my iPod speakers from mum and dad, and a camera from Michael....and a slow cooker recipe book from the kids - everything I wanted, so I was a super happy camper. Luckily my birthday fell on a daycare day and the kids still had a school so I got to have a free day! Michael took the day off for me, and it was whatever I want day - which consisted of a few hours at Movieworld (he had just bought me a VIP pass), and them a movie.....

Oh yes....I ate soooo much popcorn....hahaha :)

We also got the chace to look at a house we were interested in.....but then, straight back home, pick the kids up from daycare, make dinner - all the fun night stuff....kids in bed, and then off to dancing! I had some great dances!....We went to Three Monkeys after and had iced chocs and sticky date pudding, they put a sparkler on it for me and Michael sang me Happy Birthday....loved it!!

I was exhausted the next day though, had the chance to go knee boarding again with Jack, and I was too tired, only had the energy to go out once, and fell asleep on the tube while Jack went out with the boys!

The next Saturday was party time, and I finally got to wear my dress....last minute prepping as usual, decorations etc, parties kind of freak me out! I am a very grudging host....would much prefer to host someone else's night! My hair was a bit blegh....and I had to wear glasses because for some reason my contacts were irritating my eyes, which sucked a little but its all good. It was sooo good to catch up with some people that I hadn't seen in a while, and so fun to dress up. I would like to have a regular open invite "girls night in" - heels and dresses is mandatory! :)

Anyway so that was my awesome birthday....I am now 30 *sigh* I am a little old......mind you I am almost the fittest I have been in my whole life (last year was better) - so that is pretty cool....There is something about getting older - you feel more comfortable with yourself, your personal style is more developed, and you just feel more sexy....maybe that just lasts for early thirties, maybe when I am 35 I will start freaking out about "oldness". Mind you I still feel 19....but isn't that what they all say??

Post Wild West (hence the awesome hair!) and  Pre-Scooby Doo ride.....my favourite!

Dancing, dancing, dancing....oh yeah! :)

About to cook up a storm

cute party favours I found for my girls

PS. Michael - you are right and I completely forgot about that - Prep Christmas party! Went straight from picking the kids up from daycare back to the school. :)

I Heart.....

....Funky Costume Jewellery!!

I don't have a lot - a bit from Diva (funky but terribly cheap and mass produced), although I am plotting a way to change that :) ....and last night I found this awesome site

I want it all!! Hahaha.....But mostly these gorgeous items: