A Girly Haven

My Wednesday was spent completely in Miss Alannah's room - sorting, cleaning, hanging, folding...

By the end of the day, her bedroom was as done as I could get it (BIR doors still need to go on, and I've got a bedside table project about to be started, and maybe a few more bits and pieces for the walls) but for now, all is good in Miss Lana's girly haven.

Here's a peek...

 

It feels so good to have found homes for all of her things, and hopefully (fingers crossed) she can manage to keep her room reasonably tidy most of the time.
I would love to say all of the time, but hey, I'm a realist :-P

Happy Friday!
xx

Around Here...

we've been doing lots of things....like....

 Reading

Shopping for and assembling flatpack furniture

Paving

Making felt hair clips

And a little playing with fabric...

I'm trying to get a fair bit of sorting and re-organising done in Miss Lana's room today, and hopefully even a bit of styling. 

 

Will share soon, I hope.

xx

P.S - In the new year, I was thinking of starting up some sort of Pinterest challenge - anyone interested?

xx

Backyard Blitz - Stage 1

So, technically, it's probably more sideyard with a bit of backyard thrown in, but 'sideyard blitz' just didn't sound as catchy for a blog post title :-P

Anyhow, we are currently landscaping our yard, and this is the progress so far...

Before...

Excavated...

All boxed up...

Concreted...

Now I thought these photos, from the same angle, made the most sense to blog about, but in all honesty, the concreting/excavating/landscaping goes around to the right, to the back door, down some more steps and around the back of the house.

Now it's all ready to be paved, and to also have some decking put down. I'm thinking some sort of railing would be a good idea, around the edge of the paved/decked area - although the drop isn't as dramatic as it looks in these photos.

I like the look of the wire railing, because I really don't want to block any view..

I wouldn't mind this view either :-P

Image source

And I think you can buy  it in DIY kits, which is even better.

So paving is starting this weekend - woo hoo!! Can't wait to see it all come together.

And then the planting will begin.

Will keep you updated :-)

xx

Sunday Baking Inspiration

Baking is such a nice way to spend a Sunday arvo, don't you think?

Macarons, whoopies and caramel cupcakes are all on my to-make list this afternoon. Will have quite a few tradies around the house tomorrow (major landscaping project on the go - yay!), so I always like to have something yummy to feed them. And Lana's off to a little girls tea party on Tuesday, so strawberry macarons are a must :-)

It's so nice to have people to bake for.

Enjoy your Sunday with whatever you are up to.


xxx

A Hoodie or Two

It's been so nice to sew for my loved ones, after the mad market sewing, and it feels great to have finished a couple of hoodies for two very loved little boys.

For my littlest man Levi...

A cute hot air balloon design in cotton jersey, made up in Size 2, which is a little big but that's a good thing - hopefully it will last through Autumn.

And this one is for my gorgeous nephew Cedar...

I just love this Urban Hoodie pattern by Heidi & Finn - it's great to sew up, and looks so cute on, as well.

Might make some more up soon :-)

And here's another photo of Levi, just because - I know it's out of focus but I just love it...

xxx

Faraway Family

"I love my family even if they live far away."

Stumbled upon this, when I discovered Levi scribbling in one of Alannah's notebooks, and it made me smile.

Thought it may make a few loved ones smile too.

xx

Found!

While cleaning out from under my bed, I found a box of needlework supplies, and amongst them was this...

my very first cross-stitch (and the only one I've ever kept!).

I stitched this one when I was a teenager, and I have a super soft spot for it, and now, finally, I have framed it.

"It's a beautiful world" - yes, I believe it is

xx

Making Macarons - First Attempt

Making macarons have been on my making to-try list for quite awhile. I must admit that I am quite intimidated by these delicious little delicacies - to get them just right, in taste and looks.

A darling friend bought me the Womens Weekly 'High Tea' cookbook, a few months ago, and it has four recipes for macarons, which kept staring at me each time I browsed the book for baking inspiration..

So I picked out the Pistachio, White Chocolate & Honey French Macarons and had a go..

I was ever-so-grateful for some useful tips shared by friends on Facebook, and so, so happy that my first batch turned out ok - edible even :-).

Now Roh's asked for some butterscotch ones...maybe I'll give them a go tomorrow..

xx

To Market, To Market - One more time

Chirpy Lane's final market for the year is this Sunday at Huckleberry Market in Croydon.

As a stallholder, I love an indoor market - no stress with weather or wrangling a marquee. Ah, nice and easy. And the cupcake lady - oh my - yum!

Maybe I'll see you there?

xx

P.S - Back soon with my first attempt at Macarons, and even some making with fabric :-)