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

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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 :-)

Curious Bazaar - now live!

My super busy sister Danielle, has launched a fabulous online store called 'Curious Bazaar', stocking handmade goodies from a few local brands, including Polkadot Lane.

Here's how Dan describes the store :
" Curious Bazaar was launched on 28th November 2011 as a result of long chats with friends about craftiness and market stalls. We thought it would be great if customers could go to one single online space to browse a wide variety of things we make, from our various brands, and have them combined in one parcel for a single delivery price.
In this, we present you with a unique niche market of whimsical, creative and handmade, arising mainly from the Dandenong Ranges area east of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Shopping at Curious Bazaar is part of supporting handmade, supporting local artists and craftspeople, people who make things because they love to and want to share those products with you. Poppytalk share a fab list of 101 reasons to buy handmade if you need any more inspiration! Speaking for myself and the women behind the brands stocked here, we're proud and excited to be part of the handmade landscape!
Cheers,
Danielle Q,"

And with such a great concept, I was absolutely ecstatic to be asked to be part of it, alongside Danielle, of course, but also The Kooky Green Owl, Sew Chirpy and Medieval Mirage.

And as we are very new, we would love your help to grow.
Share the 'Curious Bazaar' store, or one of your favourite items from the store, on your facebook wall or personal blog and Danielle will send you an exclusive discount code! Don't forget to let her know that you've shared (either via our facebook page or via messages).

Thanks for all your support!!
xx

This Sunday...

you'll find me here...

Fingers crossed it doesn't rain :-P

xx

Creative Space : Ladies Tees

As predictable as it is, I'm still in market making mode.

Only two more markets left for the year, then I'll be joining a collaborative online store but more on that another day :-P

I've added a couple of new things to my market stall this week, including ladies t-shirts...

And flower frill headbands..

I have to find some motivation today and get some more tees printed, and dresses finished, while looking after my 2 year old nephew...so we'll see what actually gets done..

Creative adventures being shared over here.

xx

Spoilt!

My darling hubby surprised me last night, with this...

A new overlocker!

It was definitely a bit of an 'oh my goodness' moment, and just another reminder about how wonderful and thoughtful my man is.

I am spoilt.

xx

Creative Space : Make, Make, Make

With three markets looming over the next three weekends, I've been building up my stock numbers so that I don't need to feel super stressed between each one...well, hopefully :-P

So, I've got pillowcase dresses on the go...

And new screenprinted tees...

As well as some new flower frill headbands and screen printed ladies tees.

This weekend's market is in my adorable village of Upwey..

So if you are in Melbourne, and are looking for a lovely way to spend a beautiful spring morning, why not pop on by?
There is live music, wood-fire pizza and a full market of makers & growers, including some of my very talented friends including Danielle Q from Curiouser, Nadya with her Green Kooky Owl jewellery, Jude with her Naturally Dyed art pieces and Teresa from Peanut Whimsy with her cute polkadot toys .
Market is open from 9am - 2pm.

Maybe I'll see you there!

Playing along with 'Our Creative Spaces'.

xx

Inspiration : Garden Lights

Oh yes - I've been pinning...inspiration abounds over there..

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But there is a purpose to my pinning - I am at the early stages of planning an outdoor event/party for January, at our home, and I'm starting to collect ideas of how I would like things to look...some of it is most likely a dream, but some I'm sure I can turn into reality.

There is just something so romantic about twinkle lights in gardens, don't you think?

xx