I'm officially a school mum.

Today I joined many other parents in seeing their little one off to school for the first time. Amelia went really well (as did I). I was so proud today! 

The only thing that went through my mind was where did the time go? Here she is as a bubba.....

And here she was just this morning......

I'm literally bursting with pride and can't wait to see her this afternoon to hear all about her first day.

I hope you're all having a great day too :)

Alisa x

Picnic in the garden

Well it was a lovely day today wasn't it? We took advantage of the weather and decided to have ourselves a little picnic. I love doing this with the girls and part of me regrets not doing it more. You see, my little Amelia starts school tomorrow. Big school. So I really treasured this time today.

Please note that Haidee's shirt is back to front, a new look that I thought went out with Kris Kross but she's rockin it :)

I LOVE this piccie....Obi mid yawn and Haidee getting set to pull Amelia down!

I love my babies.

Alisa x

Now available at Craft Relief

 


Two of my tweets. All proceeds go to the Queensland Flood Appeal. There are lots of fab goodies for sale so go and have a peek at Craft Relief. This fellow is made from vintage curtain fabric and ribbons. He's a real sweetie and was such a pleasure to create. 


Alisa x

Colour and pattern inspiration......

Inspiration can be found in the simplest of things. In this case; a derelict structure down by the old railway station in Rylstone. I love the hints of aqua peeping through the wood grain.... the grey and blue hues in the shadows of corrugated iron..... the lovely rich browns in the wood and rust.....the patterns created by the textures and lines. 

I'm looking forward to implementing these themes in some new paintings.

What has inspired you lately?

Alisa x 

Double strand bracelet with semi precious stones

This bracelet features lovely semi precious beads (aventurine, milky quartz, moonstone, labradorite, pearl, citrine and amethyst) set amongst beautiful crystals, vintage beads and a mixture of silver and gold plated findings. I usually make these as gifts for my friends but will be making them to sell in my shop.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Alisa x

Australia Day

I love Australia Day, and in true form it is stinking hot here so alot of it will be spent indoors. Being Australia Day I thought I'd share a few of my favorite Aussie vintage finds with you.....

Firstly, a board game...part of my collection.

Secondly, a cool tablecloth (hanging on my clothesline to use for dinner tonight)

And last but not least...my little badges....

I have quite a few of these that are kept in a little tin. Today I'd like to sit down and create some trinkets incorporating them in honour of this beautiful country that I call home. But first I have to see to the washing, folding and putting away of our laundry pile. Joy.

Happy Australia Day everyone!

Alisa x

Tina's Garland

On Friday I received this beautiful garland made by the lovely Tina from Rubies' Place. Now if you haven't come across Tina may I just say that she is an absolute STAR. She has such a generous heart and always leaves the most uplifting comments. I just love reading all of her posts...her warming spirit and words of wisdom are both encouraging and inspiring. She also has a beautiful home and a gorgeous family. She's one lovely mumma :)

This super talented lady made these garlands as a way to contribute to the Queensland floods. All proceeds of her sales went directly to The QLD Premiers Flood Appeal. I just had to have one.

I know that Tina made this with love which makes it all the more special. I love having it in my home and every time I look at it my heart is filled with such warmth.

Thankyou Tina....you're our gem :)

Alisa x

Peaches, pears and plums

The time has come to start picking our fruit. And boy do we have alot! We've been really blessed this year with the birds and possums staying away however we weren't expecting THIS much fruit. We were also pleasantly surprised to find a pear tree in amongst the old orchard. I had no idea it was there until I saw the fruit. And they are soooo tasty! I'm off to Mudgee today to pick up some ingredients to start cooking. Saffron Pears is first on the list.....Yummy!

The best part is having the girls help out. They've waited very patiently to start picking and eating the fruit. It's so lovely to see them enjoying the simple blessings that we have. And carrying their little buckets is cute to boot! Below is a portion of yesterdays bounty....

Loving the colours and the smells! 

Me thinks I'll be doing some still life paintings :)

Alisa x

My kitchen featured on "You Will Always Find Me"

Liz from "Lino Forest" has started a wonderful new blog called "You Will Always Find Me". It gives us all an insight into some fellow bloggers kitchens, the "hub" of many houses. I just love having a sneak peek into other peoples houses and seeing how they decorate their spaces. Today my kitchen is featured on her blog.

Now I'm the first to admit that my kitchen is "different" but that is what makes it special to our little family. I just love my wood fire oven, especially in winter. It cooks the best scones and the yummiest roasts! I don't use it much in summer. It gets too hot! I'm lucky enough to have an electric oven aswell. 

The funny thing is that things have been changed around since taking these pics. We have re-arranged a little and hubby is currently in the midst of knocking up a new dining table out of our VERY old fence posts and the floorboards that once graced the original laundry. I can hear him in his shed with his power tools. Bless :)

So go and have a looksee. Perhaps you might want to share pictures of your kitchen? I know I would LOVE to see them!

Take care,

Alisa x

P.S. Incidentally we recently saw some old fence posts in Harvey Norman as sculptures selling for $450-$500 each! And we have several of them, well, we did before H used them as table legs! It amazes me how much some things are! 

Mon Alisa Design for Craft Relief and some damn insightful coasters

Lavender and vintage chain "bit-bob" Necklace

Vintage plastic spiked floral earrings

"Seraphina" handpainted, bead embroidered
lace earrings 

"Tweet"  made from vintage curtain fabrics and ribbon

Above are a selection of goodies that I am contributing to Craft Relief. Each piece is a one-off. 

I was hoping to have these sent already however a short stint in hospital thwarted my plans, don't fret...I'm o.k :) So Monday morning it'll have to be. 

On a somewhat separate note, I'm currently moving around all the bits and bobs in my kitchen. We bought a lovely old pantry and cupboard. It's very pretty and functional but as a result my kitchen is rather messy. I'm still trying to find space for everything!  I was becoming flustered and grumpy. When the time came to find a home for these coasters I stopped and took a moment.

A moment to be bloody thankful for the mess and for all the wonderful things in life that I all too often take for granted. It stopped me dead in my tracks, turning a negative attitude into a positive one.

It sounds corny I know. They're coasters for heavens sake! But they gave me a swift kick in the pants today and I love them all the more for it.  

Alisa x 

http://craftrelief.bigcartel.com/

Craft Relief

Therese from Handmade helps out is asking crafters to send in their goodies to raise money for those affected by the floods. This venture is called Craft Relief. I'm packing up some jewellery and working on some tweets as a way to contribute. 100% of all profits made from each sale will be donated.
This is a really great way to get involved and I implore all of you to contribute. Even if it's just one item, every little bit helps!

Alisa x

My cosy spot

We're fortunate enough to have a room purely for reading in. A room specifically designated as the "chillout zone". The girls love to sit in here to read together, or to their dollies as do I. So after a day of moving heavy furniture and re-arranging my entire kitchen (why do I do it?) I will be spending my evening in here....

Reading this......

An Atlas published as part of "The Modern World Encylopedia" in 1935 (I have the whole set...I know, I know...enough encyclopedias woman!)  Being Pre WW2 it should be interesting. I wish I could translate the smell of this book when it's opened into words. You can literally inhale the ink on the pages after years of presumably sitting closed and untouched. A glass of wine to add to the ambience and I'm all set. 

The reason why I'm so keen to read tonight is that I want to avoid the television. I need to focus on being positive in my prayers for the people affected by the floods and being that my girls are asking whether the floods will "get us" I think some time away from the visual chaos and devastation is in order, for the time being anyhow. I hope this doesn't sound as though I'm "switching off " from the floods.....Far from it. This is going to be a long and arduous battle for all Australians to bring Queensland back to it's feet. I just don't feel as though I can see anymore heartbreaking footage. Both Amelia and Haidee found the images they saw on television this morning quite frightening. I can't begin to imagine what it's like for all the other little ones who have been exposed to  the horror of the floods. I wish I could click my fingers and bring them all down to my place where its safe. 

I think we all need to pray with a loving heart for Queensland. They need all they can get.

Take care of yourselves and each other :)

Alisa x

What to do?

Photo taken by yours truly 

I feel numb. The floods that are rampaging Queensland are just horrendous. I didn't sleep well last night. I was thinking about all of the people without a home, the separation of loved ones, the children, the animals, the death. Just the sheer terror of it all. It's just devastating.
I got out of bed at 5am and have spent my morning gazing at the paddocks out my back window. It's serene beauty bittersweet. I feel very fortunate to wake up with a sense of peace but also heartbroken for everyone else having to endure this horror.
I feel utterly helpless. The only thing I can do for now is donate to the Flood Appeal and the Red Cross. And of course to keep praying.

It's just  too too awful :(

Alisa x

As promised....latest paintings

see, I told you I was painting like a banshee :)

Alisa x