"Bit-bob" Necklaces

Hello all! I'm feeling much cheerier today. The weekend is here and I'm busily cleaning up the house because one of my dearest friends is coming for a visit. I can't wait to see her! I just thought I'd post some piccies of my more recent "bit-bob" necklaces....

I love making these. Some of the feature pieces have been lurking in my collection for years, waiting to be used. I never draw up designs. I just fiddle around and see where the creative journey takes me. The majority of my "bit-bob" necklaces are constructed with recycled  goodies..... be it a broken old necklace, an old clip on earring, buttons, buckles and even old christmas decorations! I usually set these forgotten, thrown away pieces amongst "new" swarovski crystal drops and sometimes the odd charm. Each piece is a one-off which makes them extra special.


Enjoy the weekend folks, I know I will...well, after I clean the bathroom anyway (yuck)


Alisa x


P.S. Don't you just love that Thistle charm? I bought it from Johnno who lives across the road from me. This bloke opens his garage up every 2nd weekend and I can't emphasize enough how wonderful some of his goodies are! I think  I'm his best customer! xxx 

Feeling Yuck

I'm not feeling the best lately. I'm dwelling on things, feeling anxious. Wishing I didn't do this or say that. Worrying what people think. Do you ever have moments like this?

 My skin is gross and to top it off my attempt at rocking a Chrissie Amphlett haircut is failing miserably. Instead I'm looking more like Bill Oddie circa 1973 (minus the beard, although I have noticed a long hair growing from my chin. Eeeeew!)

What a yucky yucky day. Maybe tomorrow will bring something to put a smile back on my dial, heres hoping anyway. I've started work on some new tweets that I plan to continue with tomorrow. The new fabrics are gorgeous! I'm trying to stock up for the Rylstone Street Feast which will be held in a couple of weeks. I'm sharing a stand with this lovely lady. It should be a good day.

I think I'll spend tonight eating copious amounts of chocolate. That always seems to help :)

Goodnight all :)

Alisa x

Stop the cooking shows already!

Strange post I know but I just had to put this out there. I'm starting to get annoyed by the over saturation of cooking competition TV shows that are on. I'm irritated because I used to enjoy watching the odd cooking show (Antonio Carluccio, Yan Can Cook and Paula Deen were my faves), However now I can't bear to watch anyone with a pot or pan, except this fella of course....



And I'm sorry but Kids Masterchef? Don't get me wrong, from the ads I can see that these children are amazing and I can't really comment on it because I haven't been watching. But it seems like a lot of pressure for a child to undertake. Maybe someone can enlighten me?

Am I the only one who feels this way? Is anyone else getting sick of cooking comps?

Alisa x

Dainty drops

Alisa x

"Better Homes And Gardens" TONIGHT!!!

I just wanted to remind everyone that "The Rylstone Rubber Roundup" will be featured on tonights episode of "Better Homes And Gardens". Keep a look out for my flowers and my little Amelia (she's wearing an electric blue Cheongsam dress). I came in at 3rd place but i wasn't able to stay to collect my prize (I was at a wedding in Mudgee). I was so pleased!

I'm also feeling rather chuffed about this: My print from "My Folk Lover" finally arrived! I think she looks perfect hanging amongst my bric-a-brac goodies.

Thankyou Catherine!


Have a wonderful day and don't forget to watch the show tonight!


Alisa x

Rainbow blooms

If I'm having a crapola day this is what pulls me through. My rainbow blooms. There's nothing more relaxing to me than doodling these flowers in my sketch book. It puts a smile back on my dial :)

Below is a painting I've been working on. I still have so much more to add, I have to finish the rainbow blooms then add a separate layer of plain white ones. It should come up beautifully (well, here's hoping anyway). My flower paintings take a long time to do. I have to work on them periodically because the intricate patterning plays havoc with my wrists. I usually work on smaller canvases however this one's a whopper!

I can't wait to see it hanging in my shop!

Alisa x

I want this very muchly

A rabbit lamp from Lark. Maybe Santa can give it to me  for Christmas (yes Hayden, that is a hint).


Alisa x

Dancing snow... in October??

Not the best photo I know, it's been snowing on and off all morning. The girls are very excited but don't understand the concept of "light snow". Haidee wants to build a snowman bless her! 

Seeing my girls looking out the window reminds me of this:

What crazy weather! It's very pretty  though.

Alisa x

A lovely giveaway at Popple

My friend Emma is holding a lovely giveaway over at her blog Popple. The prize? A beautifully made pencil roll complete with coloured pencils! I can't emphasize how handy these are. Especially for those moments when your little ones are getting bored and frustrated at places like restaurants, weddings, christenings etc. They're a godsend!

 Emma is a very talented girl and a sweetie to boot! She also makes some gorgeous clothes and accessories for children which are available in her Made it shop 

So head on over and have a peek :)

Alisa x

Drawing book gems and a thankyou

It's a miserable day outside, raining heavily and blowing a gale. We're spending the time indoors doing drawings, puzzles and making jewellery. I picked up these "How to" drawing books from Vinnies last week. Amelia is horse mad and is forever wanting mummy to do her a special painting. Trouble is I'm absolute rubbish at doing horses!

I'm thinking of pulling apart one of the books and putting some of the illustrations into frames, however it seems a shame to take them apart. They're just so lovely. And well used too.

 

The white horse is very popular with the girls. I'm constantly being asked for  a white horse!

And now for the thank you part. I was giddy with joy as I opened this gorgeous birdie brooch from Liz at Betty Jo Designs. She sent it to me as a 'thank you' for sending her some cool lino that I had salvaged.

Isn't it gorgeous? Even the card that the brooch was pinned to is funkalicious!!

Thankyou so much Liz! I can't tell you how much this meant to me. I just love it! To see more of Liz's work, head over to her blog Lino Forest. She also has another blog called  Find Make Do which is full of inspiring goodies. You'll love it!

Enjoy the rest of your day :)

Alisa x

Progress report (or "I'm so excited I'm going to wet my pants!!")

Some more piccies of my soon to be shop/gallery/studio.

It's coming together so well. It hasn't been easy though. H has had to work  with very wonky walls...nothing was square! But he's coping very well. The windows and door were kindly donated by my folks who have had them for a very long time leaning (amongst others) against their outdoor loo. I've loved them since I was a little girl and I can't tell you how happy I am that they have finally found a home here in Rylstone.


I'm super dooper excited!!


Alisa x

Me apples :)

My favourite Apple tree is in full bloom at the moment. It looks and smells AMAZING! I'm determined to get apples this year. The tree wasn't doing as well last year and the little fruit it did grow was snaffled up by the possums and birds. And now i think of it,  it didn't flower much either. The girls are a bit put out by all this floral splendor because now their favourite climbing tree is buzzing with bees! It's a little bit too intimidating for them.


Hopefully all goes well so that I can use this (my grandmothers)............

To make yummy things like this..........

You can't go wrong with this cookbook, although there are some weird recipes in there....more on that later.

Alisa x

Can't get this out of my head!

Yes folks, the shiny hair and large teeth, it's The Osmonds. I've been singing this song for three days now. I can't shake it. My poor children have been suffering! HELP!!!!!


Alisa x

9 years ago today.....

I married my beautiful husband.  I love you so much Hayden.  Thankyou for being there for me always and for our beautiful little girls  (even though presently they're fighting over LEGO)

We're not doing anything too fancy tonight. Just a roastie, a packet of jaffas and "Spicks and Specks". Sad I know but that's the sort of thing we look forward to.

Just being together is enough :)

Alisa x

The Rylstone Rubber Roundup 2010

Yesterday was a busy day in Town. "The Rylstone Rubber Roundup" was held at the Globe Hotel, a competition where one has to create anything using recycled rubber (car tyres are the most popular medium). Anyone could enter with a gold coin donation. There were different sections too. One for juniors, a rubber swan section and a "free" section where anything goes! There were cash prizes and each section was judged by the team at "Better Homes and Gardens" who came out to film the special event. They're a lovely lot! 

This sea monster was awesome. In the background you can see the enormous giraffe, made by the last Roundups winners.

Some rocking horses

The winner of the last rubber roundup were these crocs  (there's another smaller one). They're usually seen at the gate of the creators property  coming into Rylstone. They dress them up for Christmas, Easter and other annual events

The Tyre Swan section

This was my entry. Some crazy flowers made from hoses, hot water bottles, rubber bands, balloons, gloves, a plunger,  lino, tennis balls and thongs

Amelia entered the junior section with her collage picture aptly titled "Sunset Garden". She melts my heart :)

Now I'm not sure who won because I had to dash off to a wedding but my dibs are on the giraffe.

You'll be able to see The Roundup on "Better homes and Gardens" in a few weeks I should think. There may be a little cameo of Amelia placing one of my flowers in the garden. I didn't realize they'd be filming. Her hair was a bit rough and she still had lunch on her face! Oh well, that's my girls for you, I wouldn't want them any other way.

Have a lovely Sunday!

Alisa x