things to do on the school holidays

We were lucky enough to send Jaxon to Brisbane for school holidays.  I say lucky enough because with the way things are financially these days, you're lucky to fork out enough money to do anything remotely entertaining with kids during school holidays.  


We have family who live in the sunshine state and they don't get to spend nearly enough time with their only grandchild, so he's always spoilt rotten whenever they're together.


So I'm not going to tell you about what to do with kids on the school holidays.  Oh no.  This is a rather different story about how to spend your holidays if you're lucky enough to be child-free.  Maybe use it as a things to do and things NOT to do kind of guide.


WARNING: the following post includes some photos of food which may offend some readers. If you find food offensive, we ask that you look away.

ladybirds in jar (none were harmed)

IKEA ball pit

chicken roti at Queen Victoria Market

making polish pierogi

pierogi up close

zines at space invaders exhibition

space invaders exhibition

mixed berry, white chocolate and almond torte

Lindt cafe hot chocolate

Europa cakes through window on Acland Street, St Kilda

• Travel interstate with five year old whilst you're sick with bronchitis and the flu (I had a photo to share, but it's not pretty so I left it out).
• Wonder whether you're actually going to make it onto the flight or if you'll be stopped by quarantine or border patrol.
• Cancel ALL plans in your home state because you're so sick you feel as though you're going to cough up a lung.
• Attend your mothers' birthday party periodically wearing a surgical mask to protect innocent bystanders from catching a horrible deathly sickness. Watch for strange side glances from party guests.
• Eat home made Polish Pączki for breakfast. 
• Spend four days on your mother's couch wishing you were back at home in the comforts of your own surrounds.
• Catch a large pickle-sized-jar full of ladybirds. Ladybugs. Lady-beetles. Whatever they're called. Lots of them. Last count = 36.
• Travel back home and go back to work for four days whilst preparing your home for the arrival of your mother and safe return of your child.
• Watch a movie with your husband or significant life partner while indulging in some quiet, blissful and uninterrupted couple time.
• Paint. A wall, a canvas or a piece of furniture. Whatever tickles your fancy. In my case, I painted a wall (in le shop).
• Eat something strange and not child friendly for dinner, such as 5 bean mix and tuna. Because you can. And because you don't have to satisfy fussy little taste buds.
• Don't do four loads of washing a day. I dare you.
• Explore the new mega IKEA at Springvale and do something completely out of character like taking the child to the kids playground and watch them enjoy themselves in the ball pit without turning a thought to the possible disasters which line the floor of the ball pit.
• Make pierogi with your mum. Or just let her do most of the pierogi-making while you go to the Space Invaders exhibit with your significant life partner (read: cash in on some free baby-sitting while you still can).
• Take many awesome photos at the Space Invaders exhibit before being told that "you're not allowed to take photos in here". Oops. Sorry.
• Check out the Queen Vic Market and peruse the many Ugg Boot, cheap plastic knock-off licensed toys, even cheaper looking clothes, fresh produce and bric-a-brac galore. Eat lots of yummy things including a chicken roti.
• Get up really early and hit the Camberwell Rotary Market (read: the best flea market in Melbourne and possibly Australia). Pick up a brand new dusty blue mohair top with black velvet buttons for $5 with the added bonus of it's previous owner never actually wearing it since its original purchase.
• Scenic drive to Tyabb to indulge in vintage wares, antiques and food including a splendid mixed berry, white chocolate and almond torte, buttery, crusty, ham and cheese croissant and english breakfast tea (not in that order). Yep. I said torte.
• Introduce your mum to the delights of the Lindt Cafe
• Visit the Europa Cake Shop in St Kilda and take in the scrumptious scents of sugary goodness.

And that my friends is how you spend two weeks of school holidays. I may not be in school, but school holidays are very much a part of my life now that I have a school-aged child in my company.

And today, the end of the school holidays, I have one more little luxury. A new modem arrived today which means connectivity to the outside world again. At high speed. So you'll be seeing lots more of me.

that's a wrap

Last night was my last market for 2010. I have to say, I'm relieved that it's over for this year. I have to remember NOT to book two consecutive markets the two weekends prior to Christmas ever again.

I'm absolutely exhausted.  So much so, hat I didn't wake up until 11am this morning.  I NEVER do that.  Especially as I have a 5 year old.  I'm thankful that I have a very supportive and considerate husband who kept our son entertained until I got up.

Daylesford held a Twilight Makers Market last night and I'm glad I got to be part of it.  I've never done a night market before so it was good to experience it.  The doors flung open at 4pm and the crowds kept coming for the first 2 hours. 

At dinner time things died down and the lovely organisers decided to close the market early at 8:30pm. Don't know if it was the weather (it was quite cold despite being summer) or the town itself, but people just weren't out in Daylesford last night.  Not that I'm complaining because finishing early meant that I got home earlier than planned. The hour and a half drive doesn't bother me, unless it's late at night.

Here's a quick wrap up of last nights twilight market in pics...

my stall

the lovely (and camera shy) curlypops was stationed across from me



the smell of these was too much. heart-shaped waffles with strawberries, cream, melted Lindt chocolate, sprinkled with cocoa powder. thanks for feeding me and the other stallholders ChocolateRex!



Sawdust's birdy mobiles were to die for. The lovely Jayne makes these birdcages and I have to say they are the most divine things ever! You must check them out.  Oh, and you can place a custom order by emailing Jayne

 

these little cute ones from the Spotted Jinx

  


the cutest paper doll books by buntyandsars... too cute!

Thanks to all the many talented and lovely stallholders who make Daylesford Makers Market the great market that it is.  The stallholders, market committee and market visitors are always so lovely... that's why I keep coming back!  And did you know that the market recently won a local tourism award!? Well deserved.

Now, if you entered my Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway, I have drawn a winner.  Thanks to the 228 comments which I received.  Mister Penguin will be finding a new home with lucky commenter #9 - Annie and her son.  Congrats Annie... I have no doubt Mister Penguin will love living with you.

Christmas countdown is on...

my last market for 2010

I'll be here next Saturday. It's my last market for 2010.  And I'm rather excited because it's a special Twilight market and the very first time Daylesford has run an evening market.  It's going to be so festive and fun.  Looking forward to seeing everyone in a festive and shopping mood.  This lovely lady will be here too.  And many other lovely and very talented designers.  Have I told you how much I love going out to Daylesford?  It really is my favourite market to do.  And the drive is so lovely and picturesque.

P.S. there's a giveaway tomorrow.  Stay tuned.  Yes, another one!

to market, to market... sister's that is!

I'm gearing up for Sister's Market at St Kilda Town Hall tomorrow.  So excited to be there with so many other talented designers.  There are so many of them!  Looking forward to doing a zip around the market myself when I am relieved from my post for a toilet and food break.  I have some Christmas shopping to do.

P.S. that's one of my dollies in red in the Sister's Market flyer above.

softies, softies and more softies

I'm happy to report that I've had a very productive day of sewing today.  Actually my first productive day since being back from holidays at the start of October.  A month is a long time to get back into the swing of things and I'm kinda bummed at myself that it took so long.

But I have two markets (Sister's Market and Daylesford Makers Market) coming up in December, which will be just in time for Christmas present shoppers, so I have to stay on top of my game over the next few weeks to ensure I have enough stock.

While on the subject of stock, I'm excited to share with you that I've just had my first two stockists come on board in the last week.  Little Shop Of in Carnegie and Kids in Berlin in North Melbourne.  It's taken me a while to decide how to proceed with my little hobby of making softies, but I've finally taken the plunge.

If you haven't been into these shops, you really should visit.  That is, of course, if you live in Melbourne.  I managed to snap some photos of Little Shop Of while I was there last weekend to share for those who can't get in to see it.

P.S. Pip over at Meet Me at Mike's is running the annual 'Softies for Mirable' campaign and she's asking for you creative folk out there to try your hand at making a softie to donate.  Make sure you check it out here if you're interested and sign yourself right up!

I'm back... and just in time too!

Hello my lovelies.  Oh, how I've missed updating my dear blog.  If you missed it, I have been in Europe for 3 weeks celebrating my entry to the 30's.  Look who's a big girl now!

I got back a week ago but I've had my visiting mother, unpacking, washing, chores, insomnia, returning to work and reintroduction to reality to deal with in the week that we've been back.  As much fun as we had, it is nice to be back in the comforts of my own home, in my own bed, with my own fluffy pillow.  I will be updating in the coming days with lots of delightful photos from the trip. 

But for now, I wanted to say hello (again) and tell you about the great things which are on in Melbourne this weekend.

Last night my beloved and I got ourselves along to ACMI in Federation Square to get a glimpse of the Tim Burton exhibition before it wraps this Sunday.  If you can, I highly recommend going to check this out.  The man is a creative genius, in a quirky, freaky kind of way.  One of my fave movies of all time is Bettlejuice, so it was awesome to see some props and sketches from the movie, plus those of Edward Scissorhands, Alice in Wonderland and Batman to name a few other.  Well worth it, but skip the queues and buy tix online.  Really.

I'm so excited about Melbourne's first Finders Keepers market which is on this weekend.  There's 150 super-talented stallholders filling the space of Shed 4 at Docklands for two full days of market madness.  I'm having high tea at midday tomorrow (yum) followed by a trip and sneaky peek at the goodies on offer.  But I have a budget.  I must, otherwise I will be tempted to buy so many delights.

And last but not least, there's the Craft Expo in Carlton.  Since Saturday is pretty much over-scheduled, I'm leaving the Craft Expo for Sunday. 

Talk about weekend DE-lights!

Whatever you're up to, wherever you are, I hope you have a lovely one too.

spring in my step

I'm excited to say that spring is popping up all around my yard. And I took photographic evidence over the weekend.  I'm really lucky to have my favourite flowers - cherry blossoms - growing in my front and back yard.  Sadly they don't seem to get a whole lot of sunlight, so they have been late bloomers in my hood.

I'm sure my neighbour thought I was a little strange when I stood out in my front yard with my long-lensed-digital SLR taking macro shots of my cherry blossoms.  Oh well.  There is only so much time to capture cherry blossoms.  Maybe that's why I love them so much.  They are beautiful but very illusive.

I've been preparing for the next market which is on this Saturday in Daylesford. Unfortunately I'll be missing out on the two screenings of Making it Handmade on in Melbourne.  Again.  It was on at MIFF and of course it sold out rather quickly.  All you crafty folk were super quick to snap up tickets.

But Saturday at the market will be great.  It's my last market before we head off to Europe for 3 weeks holiday and my 30th.  Ooh, I'm rather excited. Oui.

I have been making lots of softie goodies which will be on offer at Daylesford Makers Market on Saturday. And I've got some new goodies which I've been working on thanks to the help of my beloved.  Like this adorable hand-sized bandit bunny rattle.

So, take advantage of the first weekend of spring and do something nice this weekend.  And don't forget your dad's on Sunday!

P.S. did you know that we're on Facebook and Twitter now.  So if you like, you can join us there too.

trash & treasure: camberwell markets and local salvos

Did you have a lovely weekend?  I did.  I went to Camberwell Markets on Sunday.  It was a glorious sunshiny day which was welcomed by all Melbournians with open arms. The people of Melbourne swarmed to the flea market more so than usual.

I picked myself up some bargains.  Yes sirree I did. I love a good Golden Book.  These ones cost a little more than I usually spend on Golden Books, but they were worth it.  I haven't seen most of them before.  $20 for 6 books.

he does look busy, doesn't he?

I wonder if this is a nice way to broach the subject of adoption?

how could I pass up an angry-looking Little Red?

I swear that "dolly" just moved... are you sure that's a dolly?

where can I get a child such as these ones?  I'm not greedy. I only need one. Someone else can keep the other one. But I want the girl.

well, we all gotta start somewhere.  Lookin' is a good place to start.

Then I spotted this crate.  I almost kept walking, but I convinced myself to stop for a lookie.  When the lady told me all she wanted was $1 for the crate, how could I say no? I shall clean her up and use her to display some softies at the next market.

And then today I popped out to the post office on my lunch break and walked passed the local Salvo's store.  How could I resist? I popped in quickly and walked out just as quick with this beauty for only 99c!

I can't believe I found this little gem.  It's a panel of sheer fabric with a pair of ducks and some gorgeous flowers hand embroidered.  It is DIVINE.  I think I'm going to turn it into a cushion.  What do you think?

Did you find yourself some bargains on the weekend?

the weekend

 

The weekend was great.  How was yours?

I spent solid 12 hours on Saturday sewing like a crazy person and putting lots of finishing touches on stock and merchandise for our stall at Craft Hatch markets which were held in Melbourne's Federation Square on Sunday.  And I don't think I could have gotten through it without my beloved.  He fed me, stuffed softies and just generally rode me to make sure I stayed on top of all the little jobs that needed to be completed.  I'm a lucky gal.

Market day came around and there was lots of tea, giggles, people watching, eating and (luckily) sales!  I'm so thankful that I had the help of my very lovely and super kind friend Katie.  She proved invaluable not only in the lead up to market day (she cut lots of arms and legs out of fabric for sofites) but also on the day - toilet breaks are fantastic when you don't have to sprint there and back!  She was a pro at selling and engaging in chit-chat with customers... something I'm not really all that good at.

We met so many lovely stallholders.  And it made me realise that gee I'm lucky to be part of such a fabulous craft community that resides within Melbourne.

There were so many gorgeous wares being showcased and snapped up on the day.  Here are just a few of my faves...

Morgan Wills

Morgan Wills - Mumma & Baby Bushka

 

This lady is a craft powerhouse.  She had completed a 3 day stint at Magnolia Square market which finished on Saturday, then she had Craft Hatch on Sunday and was off to bump-in for a trade show on Monday which runs until Friday.  My goodness.  I was exhausted just thinking about it!

If you haven't already stumbled across her gorgeous Mumma & Baby Bushka dolls then you simply MUST jump on over to her online shop.

Little Madam

coats for your little madam

Do you have a little madam of your own at home?  Well then you're going to adore these stylish 50's inspired coats which Fiona makes for deserving little precious ones.

Odds & Ends

Odds & Ends - potted cactus

I wish I could crochet like this amazing lady.  Have you ever seen anything so devine?  Her little pots of cactus are so adorable.  I bought one for Katie as a little gift.  Too cute.  Odds & Ends also does a range of handmade pieces created from found, recycled, vintage & interesting objects.

Handmade Romance

Handmade Romance - Bow Tie Boys

These little gentlemen softies would make the most perfect partners for my dolly softies.  I think there could be this whole little speed dating scenario where my dolly softies could meet up with Handmade Romance's Bow Tie Boys and they could all choose their suitors at the end of the night.  What a great visual.  Softie Speed Dating!

Thanks to Craft Victoria for putting on such a great market!  Make sure you check out their program of crafty goodness on over the next few weeks called Craft Cubed.

So, how was your weekend?  Did you make anything?

fabulous sydney market to finally grace melbourne soil

Oh my goodness.  If you haven't heard the news yet, the infamous Finders Keepers market (started in Sydney) is finally going to hit Melbourne for the very first time.  I have been waiting with baited breath for this little gem of a market to reach us down South and I almost couldn't believe it when I read the news today. Eeeeeee.

So my little treasure-hunters... get your fossicking boots on because the market is set for October 9 & 10 in Melbourne's Docklands.  Write it in your diaries.  With room for 150 stallholders, it's sure to be a doozy!  And who knows when the next one will be.

Sorry if you don't reside in Melbourne.  Really.  You're missing out.

lovely daylesford weekend & flea market finds

A little belated with this post, but I wanted to share the delights of my weekend.   I had the Daylesford Makers Market on Saturday so I set off from my home at 7:15am with stock packed to the brim of my car - affectionately known as 'Betsie'.

I got to the market, set up my stall and was really happy with how it looked.  I've been slowly adding some various props and decorations over the last few markets.  I think it looked the best it's ever looked.  The 10am opening rolled around quickly and despite being a really slow start with the sales, the day finished up fantastically.  I think the alterations I've been making to the stall and the refined product range have finally made a difference. I couldn't have been happier.

Before the market ended I received a call from my beloved telling me that he and my son were surprising me by driving out to Daylesford and we were all going to stay the night in a quaint little cottage.  Yay.  That meant I didn't have to drive an hour and a half home after packing up my stall following the 5pm market wrap up.  Super excited!

The weekend was freezing, but it was all overshadowed by the enjoyment of Daylesford town and delightful surrounds.  I took photos.  How could I not.  I wanted you to share in my delights of course. 

Here's where we stayed.  Well, it's not actually where we "stayed", but it is a pic of the sign out the front of the property.

Complete with a lake and row boat.  I would rather like to return in the summer when this lake, gardens and picnic area would be best put to use.

We visited the Daylesford (flea) market.  Lots of stuff there.  And by stuff, I mean the bric a brac variety.

The market was followed by lunch at Gourmet Larder. I had the pot pie. Yum!

And this unfortunately was the view from our table.  It's the cabinet containing local and imported cheeses.  And lots of them.  More yum.

Obviously I had to visit one of my fave shops in Daylesford.  The Wombat Hill Antiques store (or "Curios Antiques - it has two signs and they're both different names!) is such a treasure trove of items dying to be discovered.

Here are some of the goodies inside the many rooms that make up the second hand store.

I finally found some gorgeous tea cups and saucers that were to my liking.  Purchased from a little second hand shop of which I don't know the name of.  They had a box of "orphan china" on the floor almost hidden under other things.  I dug through the box for about 10 mins and found the perfect combination of bone china cups and saucers - all missmatched of course!

Did you do anything nice on the weekend?  Did you do any flea market or op shopping?  Do tell