Goodbye 2011...hello 2012

Lyndon has a theory that you need to finish the year doing something good as it sets the scene for the coming year.

So, the three of us went down to the Kingston dog beach this morning.

It's Molly's idea of heaven.

She is more interested in chasing sticks than she is socialising but I just love seeing all the other dogs.

It was so beautiful down there. Calm and the water wasn't too cold either. No, I didn't swim, just had a little paddle.

I've never been a big fan of New Years Eve celebrations but I have to say I will be celebrating the beginning of a new year tonight. 2011 has left a lot to be desired so I'm looking forward to 2012.

Thank you all for dropping by my little blog and leaving such lovely comments. I am so pleased to be a part of this big blogging community.

So, big hugs to you all and I wish you a fantastic 2012.

See you next year!!

xx

Some more Christmas fun

Christmas seems like a long time ago now, doesn't it?

I am definitely in the swing of holiday mode now and feeling rather lazy despite a long "to do" list.

I wanted to share a few pics of my gingerbread house, created at the last minute in a massive rush.

This year it was mainly white and green. I even had edible glitter which added a nice sparkle.

I just can't help it.

Here's a few more photos of the furry girl.

I was a little late in the pic above, she had been snoozing with her head under the tree, on top of some pressies.

Boy, she loves pressies.

The pressie unwrapping aftermath...

All pooped from all the excitement.

Well, despite my state of laziness I might drag myself to the kitchen to make some raspberry jam...or not.

I've been doing a spot of sewing too. So far I've made a dodgy cover for a footrest, am in the middle of pillowcase making and have plans to make some new loungeroom cushions too.

My super tedious plans are to clean my car (inside and out) and clean out the pantry. I suspect the pantry might take a full day. Oh joy!

Hopefully you are all having a fairly relaxing festive period too :)

xx

Molly's Christmas on video

I wanted to share a small video of our funny Molly girl opening her Christmas pressies yesterday.

She had such a great time as you will see.

I hope you all had a great day. Ours ended up brilliantly with lots of family time. Just what I wished for.

Back soon with more pics :)

xx

Friday Flowers and a Merry Christmas

Aren't these beautiful hippeastrums so festive?

They always remind me of Christmas at mum and dads as my father grows the same variety and brings them inside at Christmas.

Lyndon's dad brought this one around for us to enjoy.

I wanted to wish you all a lovely Christmas. I hope it's everything you wish for.

Not long now and it will be 2012. Thank goodness. I haven't been a fan of 2011.

Anyway, thanks for dropping by. Take care

xx

Christmas creatures

Hello friends, meet my two latest creations, Mrs Snowman and Miss Reindeer.

I was inspired by a tutorial in a magazine gifted to me by Jane.  The tutorial was by talented creators The Indigo Twins.

Here is their Etsy store.

The reindeer idea came from a stuffed toy I saw in a shopping catalogue.

Don't they look at home in front of my little Molly's Maison lounge room diorama?

Some closeups... (they're supposed to look a bit rustic)

I was so thrilled to find their little block bases at the Salvos for $3 (for a box of them). Their legs are skewers and their bodies are made from polymer clay over an armature of scrunched foil, skewer and wire.

I think they're rather cute :)
Have a fab weekend!

xx

Bread baking

I baked bread the other day and have to say I'm rather impressed with my efforts. I used a Laucke packet mix from Coles Supermarket. All I had to do was mix in yeast to the flour mix, add in water, knead like heck, wait patiently, knead a little more and bake!

Look how professional it looks! This is a German Grain bread and I added some sunflower seeds to the top.

Have you had much success with bread? Mine often tastes a little like scones, not that that's a bad thing :)

Yummy!

xx

Solar meerkats and other crazy gift ideas

For some unknown reason, I was sent a shopping catalogue with the wackiest gift ideas I have ever seen. So, I had to share.

Some people can be so difficult to buy for, so these ideas might help, or at least give you a chuckle :)

Look at that image above. Who wouldn't love a Solar powered meerkat crystal ball light?

Or how about a dog chasing a cat chasing a bird up a tree ensemble?

Solar powered chickens anyone?

I had to laugh when I say this. I doubt it would keep my Molly contained for a moment.

This one is good for Tasmanians who don't get to enjoy seeing koalas climbing trees in their backyard.

What gets me is the fact that someone had to come up with these wacky ideas.

I don't quite understand the thought process that decides that a solar powered crystal ball needs some meerkats to make it just right.

Anyway, I hope I've helped with those 'hard to buy for' family members.

xx

My Christmas wishlist

I was tagged by Jennie from Posie Patchwork to create a Christmas wishlist.

Warning: this is going to be a bit boring!

Why boring? Well, I have to start by saying that we have been on the tightest budget imaginable this year. It's been interesting discovering that I can actually survive with very little retail therapy.

That's not to say that I don't wish for things.

So, my list...

*well, we all know I have been complaining that I haven't got an DSLR. Do you know what? I have been leaning towards the compact digital cameras pictured above. They have interchangeable, high quality lenses but none of the bulk. This needs more investigating me thinks.

* I would dearly love a new laptop, something that doesn't get so hot it's about to explode (I'm not using that one anymore).

* My silly wishlist item is a Cuisinart Icecream maker.

image from Cuisinart website

I have been obsessing over this for a while. Does anyone have one? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

image from Mulberry website

* I'd quite fancy a new handbag as I've been carrying my old Countrty Road one for quite a few years now. I like relaxed styles and rather like this one from Mulberry. Dream on Sarah...

* if I'm going to get really crazy I'd say I'd wish for a Parisian holiday. Enough said...

BUT, realistically, I really don't care. We never do big gift Christmases. I do love seeing Molly unwrap pressies (sometimes not even for her, but she likes to help other people) with such enthusiasm and my big joy will be getting the family together for a meal.

I invite you all to post about your Christmas wishlists, whatever they might be.
Have a happy week friends and also a very happy birthday today to my lovely little niece who turns 4 today.

xx

Friday flowers - peonies

I've been slow to post my peony images, so here's just one for Friday Flowers.

Happy weekend to you all.
Must be time for some Christmas posts here at Molly's Maison so I'll get onto it!
Ps. The peonies are not from my garden. I found them at the local farmer's market. I have two bushes but they're too young for blooms :)

xx

still life

I recently decided to create a nice Victorian-era inspired still life for my glass dome.

I fiddle-faddled with ivy, fir branches, vintage flowers and leaves, butterflies, sticks and oasis.

Boy, was there some fiddle-faddling!

The results were a little squishy but quite pleasing, if I do say so myself :)

But...

...a day or so later the whole thing turned into a terrarium. It became so moist it was impossible to see inside. Darn it! Even propping up the dome to ventilate the display didn't work, so I gave up.

Bit of a pity. Oh well, I took a few photos to share before I dismantled it. Next time I wont use living bits :)

Have any of the Aussie readers been watching the tv show, "who's been sleeping in my house"? What a fascinating show. I was really inspired by last Monday night's show (set in Hobart) to investigate our home a bit more. Maybe over my Christmas break I'll pop onto the Titles Office for a look.

xx

a little pressie pour moi

Some pretty aqua Mason jars have been on my wish list for ages.

So, I decided to treat myself with some of my recent market stall earnings.

Here they are in my old bathroom with some white hydrangeas from the backyard.

I have to recommend Tanya, the Etsy seller I bought them off, she was so kind. You might like to check her store out - Jestti's Treasures (no more aqua jars there at the moment unfortunately).

I'm just so happy with my jars - they're beautiful!

Have a lovely week my friends!

xx

Friday flowers - moody blue and mauve

Delphiniums are one of my favourite blooms.

I love the colours, how they have little faces, the delicacy of the petals...

what's not to love?

These beauties came from the local Farmer's Market recently.

I visited with the sole purpose of buying handmade soap but as soon as I saw people wandering around with beautiful blue bunches I was on another mission (the soap lady wasn't there anyway).

This variety is grown in glasshouses and is much taller than the Pacific Giant variety we grow in our gardens. The stems are HUGE!

As you can see I went to town with the camera. Dad lent me his Canon DSLR, so I made the most of it :)

The light was really low (that wall in the background is in fact white) but I think the camera did a nice job.

Oh so gorgeous!!

I might have to pop back this week and see if the flower man is there :)

What's your fave flower? Or are you like me and have many?
It looks like being a chilly weekend here in Tassie. Tomorrow is tree erecting day so that'll be fun as I have some new deccys to display. I'll show the results soon.
Have a good weekend friends.

xx