Happy Mothers Day!!

Hope all the mothers are having a great day!!
Just got back from a lovely lunch with my parents....the boys are now having a nap then we're off to my inlaws for roast dinner!

Here is my mum. Love her to bits although she drives me crazy sometimes.....no gentle soft spoken mother here - she's strong, loud and demanding, if you upset her she'll go on and on for days, she's a perfectionist, an excellent seamstress and homemaker although not too traditional (my dad does ALOT!) but I wouldnt have it any other way! I look upto her and love her for who she is....hey when Im 50 she'll be 68! how cool is that....Two days ago she rolled off her fitness ball and hurt her hip....thats all we heard about at lunch today haha.....my sister and I couldnt stop smirking! Love you mum!!

" A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove....but the world may be a different because I was important in the life of a child"

Fashion Fantasy....+ 7 things

Cotton-tulle-and-eyelet gown by Dolce & Gabbana
The price of this dress can get you a 10% down payment on a brand new swish Sydney apartment. Hmmm...maybe this news is all too much, she needs to go upstairs for a lie down?


Her outfit might be a little bland for some although I could total wear this look, but look at those doors!!

like me, I know a few of my favourite bloggers love the beauty in old decaying buildings - stunning!
A good look for a hot blind date? Non?

I had to get the April issue of US Elle just for this floral layout! love it!! Bad hair day sweetheart?







Cruststation and
Meet me at Mikes
tagged me to list 7 random facts...love lists like these!!


ok here goes....

1) When I was 3 I put a bead up my nose and pushed it so high up that I had to go to hospital to have it removed.


2) I have over 500 clippings of Helena Christensen...before you think 'Freak! Stalker!' it was early 90's and everyone was into the supermodel thing and hey I was a huge fan. I dont collect anymore nor do I need them but Id never throw them or give them away.

3) I love pharmacies....first thing I do when im in a new city, town or country i have to find a pharmacy! love going through the shelves finding interesting products and packaging! After I had my eldest Peter I fell in love with 'Mustela' baby products.....last year when we were in Cyprus I couldnt believe how cheap they were so I stocked up!

4) When I was 8 I was hit by a car, no damage to me or the car, but as soon as I got up my grandfather Kosta slapped me across the face, he said it was to ensure I wouldnt stay in shock! Huh?!!
the slap made me cry more than the incident.
(me at 9mnths with my Pappou Kosta)


5. I love to cook and bake but hate making dinner....sounds weird but just the thinking of what to cook with what ingrediants you have and planning, preparing shopping lists.....its all so tiring sometimes!

6. Navy Blue is my favourite colour!

7. I had one and a half wedding dresses made...the first one wasnt working out so I just told her to stop...I cried for 2 days then got over the fact I wasted $800 on Italian silk lace and fabric and ended up with a new design and a new designer! and before you think I was a Bridezilla ...she had no idea what she was doing!! really!!
It was a splendid day apart from Andrew getting faint at the alter...(home funny videos moment) no, not from seeing me but from not eating all day mixed in with nerves ...so after the service we went and had burgers and coke at a nearby cafe......

oh and I'll add one more....Im quite shy, maybe I dont come across that way (how do i come across???) but I am....

Im tagging
Jo, Cindy, Kandeedo, Paula, Shae, Veronica, Melissa

Illustration Friday - Neighbours

Peter's so lucky to have little Christopher as our neighbour, he's a year older and they love to communicate through the fence especially on the weekend when we're all home. They come round we go over to their house, we have Barbeques in Summer, they play, they fight over toys but when its snack time they're just happy to be together.

On our other side live an elderly couple who are just as lovely. Every Tuesday after the garbage men come by they'll roll my garbage bin and my recycleables bin back inside my driveway, such a nice gesture. They have a beachside holiday home so are away alot but every now and then Maria will come over for some tea, she's so sweet and polite but when Im out putting my washing on the line I can sometimes hear her giving her husband a good telling off haha....

Stop! Crazy woman on the road....

That was me this morning, rushing to get to work!
I woke up SO late after spending most of the night ironing. I refuse to iron more than once a week even though my pile is never ending....
Thank you for all your lovely comments and for totally understanding my desire for another baby but really I wonder, would I cope? I have a hard time juggling everything and Im super lucky to have lots of support in my man, mum and mother in law...its nice to dream and ponder though and anyway who knows? Im only 36! knowing my luck my eggs would go crazy and Id end up with triplets?!?
So I dropped the boys off at my mums in their pyjamas this morning (no time to dress them) with a bag full of clothes and at 9.05am I get a call at work
from my mum that I forgot to pack Peter some jeans so the poor darling was in pyjama bottoms all day...sigh...oh well, if this is one of my bad mummy moments then Im fine with that!

Do you like my vintage babies? one is staying with me and her sister is flying over the pacific to a blogging friend who Im sure will take care of her.
I found them at The Rozelle Flea Market on Sunday....i love going through peoples things...especially boxes..you just never know what you'll find at the bottom!
I bought some old lace ribbons and scraps and lots of plastic cameo ladies and buttons, some music paper and vintage booklets - love the fonts on the lettering!!
a quick sketch of buttons and toffees.
have a FAB day!!

Tickled Pink!!

Finished some pink ATCs for a 'pink pink and more pink' swap.
I think Im hooked on ATCs - they are so fun to make!

I think the pink theme rubbed off as this morning my good friend Patty who is also my Neo's godmother had a baby girl, welcome little Aerial!
very exciting as we were all convinced she was having a boy again.
Im a little jealous too as Id love to have a baby girl and Im still not sure if my baby making days are over... I know Andrew isnt keen on a third child but when I see a newborn my heart still yearns for another little one....then I think what if we do and its another boy? I know that would be a blessing but is it so wrong for me to dream of a little girl?

LoveSeat Love....

I love the look of these upholstered love-seat sofas. They create such an opulent feeling especially when the fabric has a lovely texture and colour...love the silvery gray brocade and bubble gum pink velvet for a little girl's room. My house was built in the 30's and although the back of the house has been renovated into a open plan family room/kitchen, which is very popular now, we kept one of the front rooms as our formal living room. I feel kind of sad for this room as no one enjoys it, I sometimes go in to have a quiet read but generally Im only in there to dust and clean up. Anyway Ive been thinking about changing things around in the formal room, it could do with a little pick me up, a new lamp or print maybe?

I spotted this limited print by Sofia Barao in her etsy store...I think that would look beautiful in there. How pretty!!

I love Carolina Herrera Jr's loveseat as seen in an old issue of Domino. She said she found it on Ebay and had it shipped to her apt in Madrid!
The Herrera girls are super stylish!

I had to share this cool image my neighbour emailed me!

how clever is this ad!!

Tres chic!

Illustration Friday - Remember

Can you remember when.....

* Twirling around until you were dizzy was SO much fun

*Long hot summers meant being outdoors all day playing and looking for adventure

* favourite TV shows were shows like 'The Brady Bunch' and 'Gilligan's Island'

* When a McDonalds 'Big Mac' burger was so big you couldnt finish it?

* You believed in the World of magic and make believe....

Journeys.....

Bessie had always been a good girl. Keep yourself neat" her grandmother had always said...
But lately, she had been yearning for adventure. She just wasn't ready to settle down with Jack Jr of Brampstons Furniture Emporium and he had been calling on her rather a lot lately. She dreamt of exotic places and the stories they held. Her passbook account held enough for a ticket and lodgings, and so with a feeling of determination which was becoming increasingly familiar, Bessie booked her one way ticket on the oceanliner 'Strathaird', departing Circular Quay for England, June 11 1948.
Her voyage of discovery was just beginning ......

that is her journey and this is what I created in Bessie's book....hope you like it! more to come soon!

So this weekend was full of creativity as I spent all of Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning at Freestyle Downunder. It was awesome!!!!
It was great to meet Rhonna and she is so sweet and petite and full of energy. I loved her American Accent and her enthusiasm 'You're all doing great!! Awesome!! ' she chirped....her paper designs are beautiful!
The class ‘Art Attack’ was so much fun but pretty full on and I kept lagging behind …they should have named it Heart Attack…haha!
Im so use to crafting at such a slow leisurely pace, no wonder I never find time to make stuff for my non-existent Etsy shop!
You can see the mini journal I made in Rhonna’s class below. Lovely!!
I’ll show you what I made in Emily’s class after I finish it. I got home and wasn’t happy with the colours I chose so I took everything off the canvas, re-painted it in white gesso and will start again!

On the way home I stopped at to the
Vintage Fair not far from my house…Ohhh I felt so bad as I hadn’t seen the boys all morning (mother guilt!!) so I quickly ran around the stands, spotted so many treasures…lovely fabrics, vintage coats, silk scarfs and some lady like leather T-bar shoes from the 40’s ….so nice! I just couldn’t fork out $120 for 60year old shoes…ohhh they were beautiful!!

Things weren’t cheap but I did find a large Burda pattern book from 1963, the ones that you’d find in the Harbedashary stores – so many vintage illustrations of woman’s clothing, bridal and cute kid images too! Its so thick 1000 pages for $25! When I get some spare time (yoohoo spare time where are you??) I’ll add some images to my flickr and to the collage image group for all to share. I also bought a small bag full of lacey trims and scrap ribbons …nice!!

A Busy Day....

Peter went back to preschool today after a two week Easter break. He was totaly excited and really anxious to get back....'Mum, quick we have to go.....I dont want my friends to forget about me!'
bless him!
So after dropping him off, Neo and I headed to our local shops - first to the postoffice then to the dry cleaners and then to the barber, Mr Candorro for a haircut.

Love this little Italian barber, he cuts hair with such skill and flair and has been at his shop since 1973, the decor hasnt changed since then....look at the kiddies chair and brown paisley wallpaper. I asked him if I can take some photos. 'Yes, yes Signiora '
I love this old picture he had on the wall. It was set in the late 50's....look how busy the barber shop was , six barbers working full time grooming men, guess with all the trendy hair salons around you dont see the barbers so busy anymore, business is slow these days he tells me...each time a house is sold in the area, I lose another client, they are all getting on growing old...passing away. Makes you think huh? Anyway here is Neo with his new manly haircut.

Walking home we popped into the Old wares shop. I bought a bunch of Australian Home Journals....some great vintage images and patterns! The ads are so funny!

This vintage craft book is fun too! a bargain 50cents!




The mailman delivered some goodies. I got my notecards from Regina's swap....some great cards from some talented ladies!
Here are the cards I sent (you can click on picture to see the detail)

Soft Hues for a rainy day.....

I had a few deadlines at work yesterday so stayed back until 6.00pm - thats very late for me
as I only do part time hours.

As I was getting ready to leave the office, a huge thunderstorm was brewing and the rain just got worse and worse.

I'm such a chicken driving in the rain - it was dark and shiny and I couldnt see very well....my contacts felt hazy and my car windows fogged up and I was freaking out and trying to convince myself I would make it haha.... By the time I picked up the boys and drove home we were all soaked to the core.....so it rained all night and its still raining now, not complaining though as we need the rain, despretley need it!

After I put the boys to sleep I sat down to draw but just wasnt in the mood so I cooked instead....beef bourguignon, that will be tonights dinner. I love stews and casseroles because after the quick preparation, turn the heat down and simmer for a couple of hours - how easy is that!

My Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine came in the mail yesterday and it got totaly wet so I let the poor thing dry overnight and its still wet....all the pages are buckled! There is an article with Rhonna Farrar and Im thrilled as Im going to be doing an Art Attack workshop with her this weekend at 'Freestyle DownUnder'! There is also another talented artist coming from the USA, Emily Falconbridge and Im also enroled in one of her workshops! Cant wait!
So I leave you with some pretty images.....

* Top sofa image from Domino magazine

* Romantic girls - advertisement from Max & Co (I think?! its an old clipping....)

* Sherbets & Mousse from Flickr

* Flower Tower in Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion by

Mary Smilove

* Cake please photo by Arthur Elgort for Vogue

You're my Cuppa Tea.......

Today is Tea Day....well we're 14+hrs ahead so I had mine yesterday.
My sister and her girls came round so we all had some nice warm tea.
Last week I bought some White tea which I usually have late at night, its really refreshing and very light
so my sister tried that and I had my black tea with milk.

my niece Styliana having some milky tea too!





I found this vintage Lipton tea ad in a magazine, its perfect for the occasion!....and look no dregs! drink to the last drop!

In the afternoon I craved some more tea so made another cup for myself. I made these biscuits using left over chocolate easter eggs ...skip the choc buds/chips and crush some chocolate easter eggs instead....I cant keep eating chocolate all day...so I'll eat biscuits instead!
check out all the tea day pics here




Oh and some very exciting news!
Ruby St designs were looking for some design team members so I sent them 3 recent pics of my ATCs and collage and I got picked to be guest design girl for December 07! Im super excited...scary too but it should be fun!