Rainy days

Well, hasn't the weather been something? I've had to close the shop this weekend as our driveway resembles a creek. Rylstone hasn't been hit too hard however all the roads leading to and from our little town have been closed.  I must admit that I'm enjoying having a quiet weekend at home. The girls are running around in dress-ups playing mummies, ponies and dancing school, whilst I've been re-arranging things around the house and catching up on my laundry. The sun has decided to make a brief appearance which is most welcome :)

Last night we lit the fire in the lounge room and I sat with a glass of red and a book on Sidney Nolan that my mum lent to me. Haidee was in and out of the room to watch the fire burning as Amelia sat down with container of buttons that Aunty Mary sent up to us (oh how I love that woman). We had Geppetto thundering down the hallway with a pair of socks in his mouth, Obi being a big sooky-la-la wanting cuddles with Hayden, yummy curried stew for tea, hot showers and an early night for all. A very relaxed  evening at home, something we've been lacking of late.

Today will be spent doing much of the same, I have alot of sorting to do as things are piling up around the house. We're starting to put stuff aside to make room for our impending renovations. I'm absolutely dreading the whole thing however it must be done. Our bathroom is falling apart and our kitchen is hardly functional. I'm sure that once we get started things will fall into place. I just hate the preparation phase and finding room for everything. We'll get there though :)

Enjoy your Sunday folks,

Alisa x

My submission for The Doily Exhibition at Gleaners Inc.

Just a quick post today as I have to toddle off to help set things up for The Rylstone Show.

Here is my submission for Liz's Doily Exhibition at Gleaners Inc. It's such a great idea for an exhibition and I've had lots of fun participating. I'm a little bummed that I won't be able to attend opening night as I'm desperate to see what other clever peeps have come up with. But hey, that's the way the cookie crumbles. I'm sure they'll be lots of pics to drool over anyway.

This piece is largely inspired by all the gardening I've been doing of late. It's more colourful than any of my past doily necklaces and looks oh so pretty on.

I must be off now. There is a whole heap of knitted goodies and children's artworks waiting for me to help display. 

Enjoy your weekend,

Alisa x

Puzzle piece brooches

Yesterday I felt like doing something simple and different. Over time I have collected vintage children's puzzles (usually with pieces missing) and yesterday I thought they would make cute brooches. So thats what I did.

Cute ta-boot.

Alisa x

Forgive me....lots going on!

I've been very lazy with posting haven't I? I suppose it's because I've been on mummy duty :) This includes being on canteen duty, selling Jolly Joker tickets at The Globe for the pre-school, swimming lessons, play-doh making, laundry folding, cooking, cleaning, ranting, raving....being a party and play date chauffeur and lots of gardening. I have managed to get some work done in between jobs. Heres a snippet of February:

Making (and eating) chocolate cake

Cleaning the front verandah with a wine in hand due to this.....

We're taking off the enclosed verandah and restoring our house to it's original glory!

Dollying up the shop with some vintage goodies, including this ace growth chart!

Vintage books and wooden cotton reels

Making up some new lamps and cards

Dream catchers :)

Finishing off my bridal headpiece

So pretty!

Enjoying my fucshia, this one is back from the brink after last winters frost.

Looking after my garden.

And that's about it. I can't believe we're nearing March! It's amazing how fast the days go by isn't it?

Next week is the Annual Rylstone Show. The girls want to enter some of the sections so we will be quite busy. I'll be getting ready to hang the knitted section again (it's a hard slog I tell you!) and may enter some of my own work. If you are in the region please stop by our little town. It's a lovely, traditional old style show. An experience one can only get in a small country town.

 I hope you all had a kicking weekend,

Alisa x

Collage kits :: Game board tid-bits

This morning I put together a few little mini collage packs for the shop. They're made from game board cards, money and letters that I have collected over the years. I packed them in cello pouches and finished them of with a vintage children's book illustration sleeve. At $2.00 a pop me thinks they're pretty darn good.

I must admit that it was hard to part with some of these tid-bits. Especially my Six Million Dollar Man cards. But sharing is caring right?

I hope you all have a great week.

Alisa x

10 random things about me

Lets appreciate this photo peeps. I had to write it backwards.

1. I'm one of those annoying people who get on really well with their mother- in- law. Lady is a godsend.

2. I have spent years trying to curb my swearing. This has been quite hard as I did have a mouth, but I have managed to improve. Instead of  saying a swear word I now say "Kaiser Soze!!" Hey, it works for me.

3. I enjoy a glass of wine ( I live in a wine region) or a scotch on the rocks.

4. I like Poko.

5. My favourite colour is red. Always has been.

6. I always feel on the outer. An insecurity I've carried with me for a long time. Mind you, dressing like a peacock in a small town hardly helps matters.

7. My relationship with my husband is the most important thing in my life. My children are a product of the love that we share and I want it to keep going strong, like King Kong.

8. I'm not the perfect mother however I think I'm doing a damn fine job at it. Understanding my mistakes and learning from them is what keeps me going. Apologizing to them when you've been wrong is a huge eye/heart opener too. God love them. I adore my babies :)

9. When I'm down, I cruise you tube for songs from my youth. Last night it was Def Leppard

10. At the moment my kitchen is full of flies. I'm cooking Roast chicken and the smell sends them in. I'm not too deterred as Geppetto hunts them down and eats them. Totally gross but true.

So there you go folks. 10 completely random things about yours truly. I'd love to know more about all of you....

Alisa x

In the studio and other shenanigans

Well, today I've been mighty busy. The best thing about having my own shop is having to "man" it. This gives me time to work on new projects. Here is a snippet of what I've been up to....

Lots of Dolly pics. I'm starting to think that my love for her is bordering on "weird".

Man, you should see what I've done with this. Pics soon I promise. It's looking divine!

Playing with paint and teabags :)

I've finally cracked open the oils. Haven't used this medium in yonkers. The smell is intoxicating!

On a sadder note, Miss Charlene has been a bit crook. Infact she's looking a wee bit more like Madge in her last scene, bless her. This morning was spent drenching both the sheep and giving Charlene a penicillin shot.

Note to self: DO NOT dolly up before attempting this endeavor. It will only end with your toosh in a pile of sheep excrement and a broken nail.

LEASON LEARNED.......I'm such a city chick.

Alisa x