The Top

Lucie wanted to make a top for Max. I just gave her some thread and material and she went about creating a pattern, cutting it and sewing together. I think it's awesome! The best thing was seeing her sit down in a bookshop in Daylesford on Sunday to finish it off. It's like she just couldn't wait!! Max wore it all day, he was so pleased with it.

The 'Zine'-olution

I love this magazine my daughter Lucie has made called Waterfalls of Watermelons. What a crazy name for a magazine and what a fabulously adorned cover it has! I don't mind Taylor Swift, either (believe it or not). If anyone out there has ever made their own magazine, send me a pic of your cover - Lucie and I would love to see what other kids are creating in the way of 'Zines'. If you are not sure what a 'zine' is, it is a handmade publication (like a magazine), which has been put together using collage, cut-and-paste writing and other bits and pieces to decorate it; and then you have the option of photocopying it and distributing to people who might be interested in reading your stuff. There's a great place in Melbourne (in the subway at Flinders St), where you can create your own zine on the spot. Their website is:
www.stickyinstitute.com.au
Check it out. But of course there is nothing stopping you from making your own zine at home and then photocopying it at school. You could even start charging money for your zine if it becomes popular and people like your stuff!
Here's a pic of L's zine, which is made from pics of some of her favourite singers, pieces of fabric and  paper from other mags:

Life can be cruel . . . but at least there's coffee?

The washing machine blew up.
The hot water service blew up.
Childcare fees went up.
The rates are due.

Oh, and did I mention that we had to pay the tenth of about five hundred instalments for an operation on our cat - and he's dead?!!!  

But at least there's my morning coffee at the cafe across the road from work. Well . . . only if you have some SPARE CHANGE!!!
There are a few times during the year I actually contemplate an instant coffee. Today was one of those times. I consoled myself that at least there would be an Arrowroot biscuit in the tub to dunk into my cup of poison a la morning tiramisu style. NUP!! Not even a solitary bleedin' Arrowroot. Seriously . . .
I do have a secret indulgence, however, that saved me from the cruel fact that I am penniless. I did have one PROPER coffee this morning.
I always buy a bag of freshly ground Columbian blend from McIvers in the Queen Vic Market that usually lasts me a month (just enough from paycheck to paycheck). And my secret weapon - an ASCASO coffee machine from my dear neighbour. For some unknown reason he chooses to chug down the instant goo in favour of the real stuff and passed this little silver beauty on to me. Thank you, Gary!
So . . . bottoms up to neighbourly charity and Columbian blend.
(And thank God it's fruit day at school tomorrow - my cupboards are bare!)

Wonderful Weekends in Melbourne

Lots of city magic in the last two weekends. I often think I'll someday make the sea/tree change, but quite honestly, even if I had all the money in the world, I'd be more likely to buy a big house in inner Melbourne than a rambling place in the country. I just love that it has everything - good shops and restaurants, the bay, the river, free entertainment, parks and bike tracks, walks and sightseeing, not to mention the awesome people watching. Here are some snaps from my last two weekends, starting with Tangle from Polyglot at the Arts Centre, Softies craft workshops at Birrarung Marr (what an absolutely fanatastic venue with fabulous activities and even more fabulous staff!), and some snaps from my stall at the Rose St market.
I'll update on more dates for future markets, but just quickly you can catch me next weekend at Rose St and   in early Feb at the North Melbourne market.
Viva la Melbourne!

The Perfect Christmas

I am a Christmas fan. I love it. I love the lights, the baubles, the gifts; I love the story of the journey Mary and Joseph took on the donkey to the stable where Jesus was born. I especially love this story.

I'm not a practising Catholic, but I despair that we all ignore the history and age-old traditions connected to the celebration of Christmas. Why can't schools, for instance, perform the Nativity at the end-of-year concert instead of some generic 'Songs from the World' or 'Seasons of the bloody Year'? I suppose the 'Seasons' vaguely refers to the Pagan rituals of the Winter Solstice etc. etc. But, whether you like it or not, Christmas is partly about the birth of Christ. Whether you believe this or not is irrelevant. It is a part of our history and should be celebrated as such. Anyway, it's a damn good story. Poo jab to snow falling in winter and sun shining in Summer; and if I hear another word about Saving the Animals in Africa I will turn all Grinch and burn trees. If you can't stomach Christianity, then at least give us the fat man in the red suit flying through the night sky in a sleigh driven by reindeer (cripes - how's that for suspension of disbelief???)! And for Pete's sake, let the kids sing a carol!

Personally, though, I'm a sucker for the story about an ordinary woman impregnated by an angel (well, not physically) and then travelling through the desert on a slow old donkey to give birth in the completely unsanitary surrounds of a barn full of animals! Not to mention some random shepherds following a particularly big star (when they are supposed to be looking after the sheep) to the stable in question, followed by a small troupe of lavishly dressed Kings who just happen to be roaming the desert as well. That, my friends, is how it's done. And as much as I love seeing the Grade 6s get all emotional over 'The Way we Were' ('omit' fingers down throat), who on Earth is not moved by a rousing rendition of the stunning hymn 'Jerusalem'? Or, one of my absolute favourites, 'Oh, Holy Night'?

Please, people, bring back the true essence of this festive season.

So, to leave you with something visual that might just bringle a Christmas tingle, here are some snaps from our home (where we do it with gusto and a ho, ho, ho!):

Err, so there's just a little bit of 'The World' here . . .

   

More Craft from WA

While we were on our trip to Cape le Grand, I took the opportunity to create some beautiful things with the kids using stones, seaweed, shells and other bits and pieces we found. It's amazing what you can do without scissors or string; glue or even needle and thread.

The Sea Mobile was inspired by the Leaf Mobile from my book. We really wanted to keep it, but we did the right thing and left everything on the beach where it belongs.

The box of treasures started when we found the cute little cigar box in the wood heap at Shelley Beach in SA - it seemed the perfect size for some special little things.

And who could resist making a sandcastle? Lucie showed me the wet sand drizzling technique, which makes some pretty interesting spires.

House in the Herald Sun

While we were away in Esperance the Herald-Sun Home magazine published an article on our home (November 5). How aloof are we? We were not even in Melbourne to lap up the glory of it! Do not be deceived, however, as preparation for this shoot took Dan and I a good two weekends. When my lovely publicist at Penguin informed me that the paper wanted to do a review on our house, I suddenly discovered so many unfinished bits and pieces it was unheard of!

But we managed to spruce things up just in time and I have included some personal snaps (ones I had submitted in order to secure the shoot) of our cosy home. I have to admit, as much as there needs to be done I am rapt that we managed to buy this house. And despite all the scary cracks and other horrors we discovered when we moved in, it has tuned out to be a solidly built house with, ultimately, very few major problems. It is dry, comfortable, filled with amazing heritage features, and we love it.