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

Time to laugh peeps ** WARNING : fart joke up ahead.

I've witnessed alot of grumpiness today, so I'm thinking a good ole fart joke is in order....

If that didn't work then I'm sure this will....(an oldie but a goodie!)

There. Now isn't that better? 

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods,

Alisa x

Gotta love photo booth.

So I'm sitting at my kitchen table after just making myself a cuppa. I've got the computer on and I'm looking forward to catching up on my blogs. All is well until Miss Haidee comes in, grabs a can of condensed milk and asks if I could open it for her pronto....... Ah no, it ain't happening. 

I can see that this is going to turn into a Veruca Salt type melt down so I quickly put on photo booth and start playing with it. You can't see her in the first shot. She was sulking near the water stand. It didn't last long though....

A little giggle then she hops up.

There are so many more however I need not bore you with them all. My girls just love photo booth and laugh at mummy looking "swirly" or "boxy".

I tell her to grab an apple and go build me a *gianificent castle out of lego. So off she toddles to the playroom. 

Phew, crises averted. Now back to my (now cold) tea. Cheers!

Alisa x

* Gianificent is a word that one of Amelia's friends made up. I think it's super.

Etta James

I had her playing today and then hubby came home and told me that she had passed away.

What a woman.

This calls for some more of her music and some fine wine.

R.I.P Miss James x

Bugger! No wine....Having a scotch instead x

Tea time

These sweet tea party sets are sewn by my mother in law Liz. Aren't they beautiful? I'm so pleased that I managed to get a photo of them this morning because I sold the pink tea cup and teapot soon after. They are designed by Cynthia Martin and make a perfect gift for someone who has everything. They'd also look great in a little girls room. Ooooh, that's got me thinking.....teacup and saucer baby mobiles, now that would be cute!

Enjoy your evening folks!

Alisa x

My facebook page

I've done it peeps. I'm back on facebook with a page only. After being away for so long I'm finding it a bit difficult to navigate so any tips would be most appreciated. You can see my page here.

Go on and like me. I know you do :)  she says channelling Sally Field.

Oh and the clip I discovered via a twitter friend this morning. Kind of sums up why I don't have a personal profile on there.

Have a lovely day all,

Alisa x

Shop update

Lordy I love my sister. She's here visiting for a few days and yesterday she snuck into the shop to take some photographs. Aren't they lovely? It's wonderful to see her at work. I highly recommend  her to you all, any photographic work needed, she's your girl!

The shop is going well. I have a just received some beautiful birdhouses made from recycled fence posts and corrugated iron. They're so pretty! Each one is lovingly handmade and look perfect hanging from a tree (we have one in our apple tree). I've started adding some of my vintage finds to the shop too. Some I'm finding a little hard to let go, but it's nice to share the vintage love :)

Well, I must be off. There's a bunch of kidlets here waiting for their watermelon and oranges. I've left the shop details below. Feel free to email me for any queries.

 Mon Alisa Design

open every weekend 9:30am-4pm or by appointment. 

Ilford Road, Rylstone.

email Alisa: monalisadesign@aapt.net.au

Alisa x

The downside of country living...

I miss out on seeing this lovely lady at the Sydney Festival.

Infact, I miss the entire Sydney Festival. It's poo I tell you!

I went to primary school with Holly and I just love what she's doing now. Her album See! is so sweet and  magical.  Haidee loves it to bits. Oh how I wish I could be there. Alas I up stuck here with my mundane chores, which today include hanging out washing and cleaning up sheep poop. 

Joy of joys.

Maybe next year I'll be more organized. 

Alisa x

Today I'm making.....

Plushie cake toppers! One of the new ideas that I'm trying to implement. Cute huh? I'm going to try my hands at the number 2 today. Wish me luck, those curves can be hard to negotiate with stuffing.

I'm also looking after my friends little boy today. He's just turned one and is a lovely lad. It's such a beautiful age. We're having lots of fun playing chasing, wrestling and being covered in sloppy kisses.  Mind you the cat isn't enjoying it so much. He's hidden himself up on my wardrobe. Wise move.

I hope you have a lovely day too.

Alisa x

The orange room

The spare room at Grandma's is a snapshot of pure retro style. Infact her whole house is. I slept in this room as a child, snuggled up in an orange chenille bedspread, one of two twin beds. My sister in the other.

Nothing has changed. Everything has it's place and not a speck of dust in sight. There's something so comforting about my grandmothers house. It's constant. Every time I go there I feel as though I never left. 

Alisa x

Christmas at Grans

We played lots of UNO, enjoyed our pressies, did lots of fishing (thanks to my beautiful brother who gave the girls their first fishing rods) and enjoyed spending time with our loved ones, particularly my darling grandmother. I'm so blessed to still have her.  I loved seeing all the children playing the same games that my siblings and I used to do when we were young. Finding the same hiding spots, picking the same flowers, using the same cups to drink their raspberry cordial... like we all did as children. I got to hang out with my sister again. Something I don't get to do much. She's always been my best friend and I just loved spending quality time with her.

What a lovely time. 

It's now 2012 and I really have to snap back into things. I have so many ideas and can't wait to buckle down and get some new things made. Watch this space!

Alisa x