My First Market Stall!

I did it! Ten days of sewing from early morning until late at night. Ten days of not seeing many people, not gardening (something I normally do for hours a day) and getting blisters on my fingers from hand sewing. Ten days of DD and DS asking me to do the usual things we do together and me having to say no.

Summed up that way it sounds like a terrible experience but it wasn't. I feel expanded, stretched and I've learnt a lot. When I went to bed last night I said to DH, 'tomorrow I don't want to see a needle, touch material other than the clothes I'm wearing or eve go into the sewing room. And yet, this morning I woke up with designs rolling around my head and wanting to go op-shopping to find some more material.

I had limited time, so kept things very simple. Next time I want to embellish more, have more variety and do the things I would have liked to this time. I think I need to get a logo, design a simple website and make up some business cards. I also want to make my stall more pretty. I'm thinking sheets from the op-shop turned into corner curtains (like a 4-poster bed) and some dangly bits from the roof. And a banner would be great.

I shared the stall with my step-father who is a painter which was a relief because it meant I didn't need a huge amount of stock, but next time I'll have more room for things. The business cards as tags that Belinda from Spiral Garden suggested worked very well.



Some things that I made were -

The ring slings

Cloth pads

Play mats

that turn into little bags

Felt crowns

And colourful overalls

I covered my costs and made a small profit (under $100) but I'm happy with that for a first time. My biggest fear was that I wouldn't sell anything!

A local shop has put in an order for 5 ring slings, the cloth pads, hoodies and the overalls. I am sooooo excited.

Learning new things

I've only got a few more weeks left of the Creative Journalling course I'm doing. It's been great to learn new things, explore new mediums and do some favourites too. We get to paint, glue, cut, dye, collage and many more things.

Last term we collected and exchanged paper napkins. Some of the designs you can get are amazing and I've often thought that they look too lovely to use.

I chose 3 different napkins and then made a design, highlighting it with gold paint.

I love having 3hrs a week that is entirely for me. DragonGirl and Boo are being taken care of and I get to sit and create to my heart's content.

Homeschooling suits us all and I enjoy having the time with the kids but it's nice to have a break too. While J-Boy was visiting, he found the constant noise and company a little too much. I was a meany and didn't let him watch much tv (because I didn't want the kids watching it with him) and in the end he resorted to playing lego with earplugs in!

One of the best things about home educating is that we get to set our own timetable (or not set one as the case may be) and that means trips to the beach that we otherwise wouldn't get.

While J-Boy was here we went out the dinner and he got all dressed up. This one's for you Mum...

You could smile more darling, you have a gorgeous smile.

I found this next picture on my camera while I was loading them onto the computer. Corby took it while I was away.

On his soapbox? :)

Last week was all about socialising for us. We had visitors every day and of course enjoyed every minute of it!

This week is all about gardening. I picked up 8 new fruit trees on Friday - they were at wholesale prices through a friend which is why I got so many. Two apricots, two apples (heritage red and green), a peach, a green plum and two pears. I just need to find spots for them now. I am thinking 3 out the front in the mandala garden, 3 in the middle section and 2 right out the back.

And the mulch arrives tomorrow, ready to spread out on all the gardens. I am going to focus on the front and the ones down the very back of the yard.

Spring time is busy in the garden.

Sewing and crafting has cranked up a notch too in our household. I organised my work space which has made things easier. It's so great having the granny flat to work in. I've got orders to get out and of course christmas is coming.

We don't really celebrate 'christmas' as such but we give gifts and feast together with friends. For us it is a celebration of Summer, growth and harvest, the beach and endless entertaining.

Seedlings - literal and metaphorical

Term 3 has kicked off with a bang and I am feeling very optimistic that the second half of the year is going to be a bit smoother than the first.

I think we are often given challenging situations to learn from. I find that I rally and rage when things are tough, but I come out the other end with clarity as to what I want/need to do. I'm grateful for the people who listen and support me through it all.

The Creative Journalling course has started back up and I got a spot which I'm very happy about. This term we are going to be doing an equal mix of writing and art and keeping a visual journal.

We did the covers on Tuesday and this is mine -
It's not quite finished and is bound to evolve through the course.


Last week I got busy in the garden and did up a few trays of seedlings. I went out the other morning and they're already up and started. I think the clear plastic over the top made a big difference, as the last lot without it took a few weeks to get going.

Aren't they lovely!

Tuesday is Art Day!

It was the last day of the Creative Journalling course today. We only had four people turn up but it was still great.

Over the term, we have done quite a few different projects. Board books, painting, stamping, fabric and a project that was about celebrating the everyday things in our life. I had quite a few different ideas but the common theme was Nature, so I went with that.



This photo doesn't capture the 3-dimensional aspect of this piece very well but you get the idea. It is textured and has pieces attached that I collected over a month of 'daily life'. Shells, beads, pebbles, etc.
I still have things to do on it, including adding the poem which relates Nature to the viewer as I perceive it.
Trying to capture Nature in any medium is a challenge.

The Sun peaked through for a moment

We put on our scarves, gloves, beanies, jackets and gumboots to go outside and enjoy it!

I've made a Winter scarf for myself this year.

I've got another started in a fibre that looks a bit like dreadlocks. I'll match Corby! :)

I've got to finish the chicken coup so I'm grateful that it is fairly clear today after the rain last night. I am definitely going to have to put some tin on the roof to keep the chickens and rabbits dry.

Besides Corby wanting fresh eggs, the chickens will be useful in other ways. Manure for the gardens, pest control, turning the vegetable beds at the end of each season, just to name a few. The coup means that the rabbits will have more room to move too.

Tea break is over, back to work!

My first ever batch of playdough!

I'm a little bit pleased with myself actually. Normally I get my mum to make it when she comes to visit but she's not coming for awhile yet, it's been raining for a few weeks and we needed some new indoor activities.





DragonGirl made this teapot. She would have liked to keep it, so I thought I might make up some saltdough for her.

Boo has found all sorts of ways to entertain himself...




Yes, I have now unplugged it from the wall! He can't get the door shut by himself but still...

We've got chickens coming!

Our lovely neighbour has gifted us some chickens and when I have the coup finished I need to go and pick them up.

I was going to build a coup out the back but it meant starting from scratch and buyng in all the materials. In my commitment to making use of what we've got I decided to convert the old greenhouse.

I've pulled the shadecloth off the front and put chicken wire down on the floor - after clearing out all the junk that was in there. I am now starting on the sides with the wire. I will also put a few sheets of tin on half the roof (which we have behind the shed) and I think wire on the other half wouldn't hurt either.

OMG It's nearly Christmas!

December is here, so I had better get my skates on and get organised for Christmas. I always have an idea that I will be finished all my presents before the end of November, but it hasn't happened yet. There is always next year!

I finished the main background of the wall hanging today. I have been working on it, off and on, for months. I picked up a great stand at a garage sale for $1 and it has made all the difference! I got more done today than I have in the whole time.

It is a design I made up and then crocheted. A few more little bits and it will be done.

One down, 9 to go!

Wooden bead necklace - long

Firstly, apologies for the blurry images. A new camera might be called for I think!

The beads were a gift and the pendant was originally an earring that was far too heavy to wear for long.

The necklace itself is 85cm long and made to put on over the head. It is on elasticised string.

AUD $35 SOLD

Green/white print bag with recycled leather braided handles

Outer fabric - cotton

Lining - Linen. Two sections with a divider and side pocket

Handles - Recycled leather

Bead embellishments - Glass beads made locally

AUD $40

I've got some more of these on the way in different fabrics.

Knitting needle roll

I made the first one of these last Christmas for my aunty and I have made 4 since. My aunt loves black and white, so this one really suited her. The others have been in satin, cotton and hemp.

AUD $ 20 - no needles

AUD $110 - 13 pairs of bamboo needles in a variety of sizes

I generally ask that you choose a colour range and style, but you could choose to be surprised too!