7 questions....

Hello everyone! I've been tagged by the lovely Simone from Honey and Fizz to share a questionnaire  that is doing the rounds. I was lucky enough to meet Simone at The Bloggers High Tea and she's a real sweetie. So, here goes...


1. What is one thing you cannot stand? 
 Greed and lack of appreciation. When people just want more and are never satisfied. I believe that until one is truly thankful for the blessings they already have, they will never be happy with anything else that comes along. Many of these things are materialistic and in this age of "the next big thing" we have become a throw away society. It saddens me.  :(

Greed aint good Gordon!

2. If you could go back to your childhood what cartoon or t.v show would you pick to be your favourite? 
Oh Lordy, so many!  As far as toonies were concerned  I loved Thundercats, Transformers (the original and the best), Defenders of the Earth,  Shera, Jem, He-man and Silver Hawkes. I have 3 brothers so I was exposed to a lot of their favourites.
  If I had to choose ONE show that I loved the best as a child  then it would have to be "The Storyteller".  My darling brother Damien bought the girls the DVD last year for Christmas. I was so chuffed because it isn't available in Australia. I also loved watching the BBC production of "The Children of Green Knowe" and last but not least "Anne of Green Gables".... Gilbert Blythe  *sigh*






3. What's something you do or have done that would surprise a lot of people?
 I'm a bit of a goose so nothing really surprises anyone anymore!  I like to be silly and don't get embarrassed easily. If I've had a few drinks a few characters emerge... Ivana (a Russian mistress) and Steven Tyler (from Aerosmith) are the most popular. Nothing says your drunk more than bumping and grinding against a tree, singing "Love In An Elevator" with a tie wrapped around your head.
I also have a very freakish memory. I can recall things in such detail as long ago as 1983, yet I can't remember to pack Amelias item for "show and tell" at  kindy. Go figure.


4.Do you believe in ghosts? 
Hmmm, I'm not sure about this one. I certainly believe that evidence suggests such things but I don't understand how?  I'd say yes. I believe in both evil and good spirits. 

5. When you go into a store what's your weakness, something you just can't help yourself buying more of? 
Doilies and vintage books, tea towels and tablecloths. Kandos Vinnies, I love you :)  


6. What is your proudest moment of being a parent?
Every time I see my girls being lovely to each other. It melts my heart

7. If you could go back and relive one day of your life which would you choose?
There have been so many happy days for me. The obvious ones being my wedding day and the birth of both my girls (even though their labours were REALLY long). But I think I'd like to go back to my childhood. Probably the day  my school friend Sam had his 12th birthday party on Rodd Island in Drummoyne. We played Commandos with two separate bases, The best one being a cave. We had the whole island to ourselves and no, it wasn't as extreme as "Lord of the Flies" but it was intense. We had to try and steal party food off one another! I just remember it being so much fun so I'd love to go back to that day.  



Now to keep it going I'm going to tag Tina from Rubies place and Sarah from Gifts Created.


Please don't feel obliged to take part ladies, tis just a bit of fun!


Thankyou Simone :)


Alisa x

Mothers love, painting, wreaths and fuschias

It's been busy at our place this week (hence the lack of posts). Thank you everyone for your lovely comments regarding the shop. It's super exciting! We're just finishing the walls today and tonight I'm going to sit and finish off the lampshades. It's all coming together so well. I'm also chuffed that my roses and fuschias are in full bloom. "Mothers Love" is very dear to us as we planted it in memory of someone very special. It flowered for the first time this week and is such a beautiful rose. My love for fuschias began when I was a small child sitting at my mothers piano. The piano has a beautiful fuschia pattern carved into the front. I remember how the carved flowers would inspire my little songs, thus my love for playing the piano was born. As for the wreaths, well..... it's the season!

I trust everyone is having a good day? It's been raining quite heavily here. Bad news for my washing pile!

Alisa x

View from my shop window

Wow, I think it's time to start pruning. Otherwise no-one will be able to see it!

We're getting there folks....

We recycled the old fence palings. I love that we have used a lot of "found" materials. Good for the back pocket too! I'm envisaging a lovely garden area with a table and chairs and lots of pretty flowers. Geraniums would probably work best out there. The only thing waiting to be done on the outside is the little awning that was on the old laundry. Very cute:)

The front of the shop minus light fittings cornices and skirting boards etc. I'm having a bench and stools put in under the windows for my "tea and book nook". The windows and door are from my folks place. They've been there for as long as I can remember, tucked away in the shed.

The studio part....My first pink room! I want to paint the window a bright yellow. It sounds crazy I know but I think it'll work with what I want to do in there. This window is from our old place. It's nice to have it in here.

Just a few more touches and I can start moving in. I'm very keen :)

Alisa x

Older works

It's hard to believe it now but most of my past work was done with white. I loved the freshness of white, It was pure and calm. Looking back now I realize that I was using it as a way to balance the chaotic life I was leading. I used to love experimenting with shade and texture.....lathering on impasto, painting it then sanding back to see what lies beneath. I also incorporated vintage laces, pearls, papers and even butterfly wings.  I still love them. They were all very pretty and adorned my walls in Sydney.

Something happened when I moved out to the country. I became braver in my work and used my new connection to the beautiful landscape as inspiration. I started to explore pattern and found the repetitiveness of it quite cathartic. Things had switched. I was now leading a calm existence. I was happy. My paintings were now loud and colourful. And I loved it.

It's funny how one can look back at their own work and see the journey that has taken place. I wonder what my current phase will lead me to?

Today will be spent making more wreaths and listing goodies for the shop. I have new brooches that are so pretty. Lace and tulle sweetness!

I hope you all  have a lovely day!

Alisa x

A lovely Sunday

photo taken by Paula at The Little project Room and Eggshell blue

I just wanted to take the time to thank all the lovely ladies that came along to The Bloggers High Tea at The Queen Victoria Building in Sydney. This event was orchestrated by  the beautiful Anna from Lona de Anna and was just superb. We enjoyed yummy cakes, sandwiches and tea (of course) that was served in Royal Albert teacups (my grandmother has this collection and it reminded me of her). Anna also surprised each of us with a gift! She's such a gem! I had a wonderful time and was so happy to meet these gorgeous girls....

Anna from Lona de Anna

Paula from The Little Project Room and Eggshell blue

Belinda from Cupcakes, Frocks and Pink

Simone from Honey and Fizz 

Janette from My Sweet Prints

Anna from Cornflake

I wish I took my camera with me. I can't believe I forgot it... What a putz! 


Thanks again Anna!

Alisa x

New jewels

I hope to have them all listed by days end but I can't promise anything. Etsy listings can be very time consuming and one of my little cherubs is having a grumble bum day. I'll also be adding some of my cones to the shop, they look lovely hanging in the Christmas tree.

Have a lovely afternoon! 

Alisa 

I'm a busy bee!

How is it the middle of November already? That means Christmas will be here toot sweet and I'm not ready! I've been trying to work on some new goodies in my spare time. Heres a sneaky peek at what I've been up to. 

Firstly, my story book collages. I'm using up my collection of broken and defaced (by their previous owners) Little Golden Books. I keep the good ones for myself and the girls. I can't bring myself to cut those ones up. Here is one of my faves.....

Next up my Christmas Wreaths, very sweet and simple. Again using vintage illustrations, book pages, beads, Japanese papers, scrapbooking card, fabric and ribbon....

And lastly, my dear tweets. These little ones are waiting to be finished off....

Unfortunately all this work has resulted in an incredibly messy abode. I'm still waiting to move into my new studio and stuff is EVERYWHERE! I can't wait for it to be finished. Not long to go now!

I hope you're all having a lovely day. The sun has decided to shine at Rylstone today after so much rain. It's glorious! I have alot of washing to hang out though (and fold). Poo.

Alisa x

Listening to....

"I Am Sam" soundtrack. Love it!




Alisa x

Special order tweet in progress...

I like it when I'm given a specific colour scheme to work with. In this case it's a mix of  navy blue, pale blue, pink, dusty apricot, charcoal and white.  I'm loving how all these colours work together for this particular little girls room. Just gorgeous! 

Alisa x

A giveaway at retro mummy!

Corrie is hosting a wonderful giveaway on her blog retro mummy. The prize?...14 fat quarters of the most beautiful fabrics. I'd love to win....I need to make Amelia a chair cover and a cushion for when she starts Kindergarten next year. These fabrics would be perfect :)





I love reading Corries blog. Especially the posts about her new bub. I'm so clucky!


She's one inspiring mumma.

Alisa x

Howdy

Well, Street Feast has come and gone and would you believe it...I left my camera at home! It was very wet  and the morning setup was a bit of a shamozzle (I was moved twice, not fun with the kids in tow) but overall it was a good day. It was lovely sharing a stand with Sandra. Her little girls clothing line is so beautiful!

Amelia did really well, selling all but one necklace. I'm was so pleased for her. We did it as a way to build up her confidence which has been waning of late. Yesterday we went to Bathurst where she got to spend her earnings on lovely papers and some lipsticks from Spotlight. Bless.

Today will be spent making some paper wreaths for Christmas and finishing off more tweets. 

Alisa x

The Circus

We were lucky enough to have a little circus visit Rylstone on Thursday night. It was small, simple and lovely. I just loved seeing all the children giggling away at all the shenanigans! It was just one of those nights that I know I'll always treasure.

This was my nose that I bought for MYSELF. We are still debating over who owns it.

Haidee took this photo. I really like it. The tent was small but Haidee thought it was enormous!

We were all pretty tired today although it was worth it. The girls had a blast.


Tomorrow is Street Feast..... Yay!

Take care all,

Alisa x

Roses

These were given to me yesterday, wrapped in newspaper...

The roses out here are spectacular! I'm just loving the rosy fragrance thats taken over my kitchen. 

Thankyou Sandra (and Miss C of course).

I'll be back later to tell you all what we got up to last night. Lots of colour, candy and fun!

Have a lovely day,

Alisa x

Amelia's photographic debut

I let Amelia loose with the camera on the weekend. Here are my favorite photos that she took....

The beautiful Lexi, my lovely friend who I've loved and known forever.  We grew up next door to eachother and are still great buddies.

Vinnies horse and Barbie

Haidee playing elastics (the latest craze in this household!)

Obi's eye

Amelia's favorite book

My $2 brolly from the tip. LOVE that place!

The shoes :)

I really enjoyed looking through these photos, discovering what she snapped...what took her interest. I love my girls :)

Alisa x