Making, making

It's always good to feel like you are achieving things creatively - or at least I feel that way. 

Here is my mannequin Pricilla modelling my latest batch of necklaces for the gallery. She's quite the hussy, isn't she, with all that bling.

Whoopsie, a very blurry shot :)

There's five single lens pendants and one that has two smaller lenses. This particular piece was very pesky, in fact I started it last year and it was just giving me a headache and so sat waiting to be finished for a long while.

It's always good to have them finished and delivered to the gallery so I can get on with something else.

What's that something else? I'd love to make another dress - I have a few ideas forming in my head but need a bit more working out before I'll start on that.

I'm so enjoying making my little line of stationary bits and promise once it's properly (ie clearly) photographed that I'll get my little giveaway happening :)

xx

In my studio + thank you

Firstly, I wanted to say thank you for your kind words at the passing of little Charlie dog. Charlie lived with Mum and Dad and was an important family member. Your lovely comments were so thoughtful and caring. What a great bunch of people you all are. xx

I wanted to share some images of the work in my studio.

A necessary thing in my workspace is a good cup of tea. I just love this cup and saucer. 

 I am so enjoying making my stationary but have had an order from Handmark Gallery for jewellery so have had to pull out my thumb.

Vintage optometrist lenses that I've been making into pendants.

Bits of chain that I've made, my thumb vice (for holding wire) and my jeweller's saw.

There's that washi tape again.

My vintage printing letters.

Some mini garland made from washi tape.

Strips of colour for my cards and tags.

Finished gift tags. I rather like these little guys.

A nice little spot in my studio with my lovely new Rob Ryan tile, a special gift from a wonderful friend recently.

I am building myself up to a market stall later in the year (hopefully) but before that I'll be having a mini giveaway of some of my stationary. I'd love some feedback from you guys. More about that soon!

xx

ps. a little update on Molly... I'm not sure if the antibiotics are making her feel a bit off colour, but she had me up to go outside or just for a pat 6 times last night. She's feeling very needy. It would be a lot easier if she could tell me how she feels. Her poops have improved so I'm hoping she's on the mend. Let's hope we get a good night's sleep tonight :)

Goodbye little Charlie - our faithful friend

Bit of a sad day for our family last Friday when little Charlie went to the big happy doggy play park in the sky.

Charlie had been with us for 17 and a half years. Gosh I love that photo above.

Such a beautiful, smart little guy.

This photo of him was taken up Mt Wellington. A group of Japanese tourists all wanted their photo taken with him as he looked so cute. Gosh it was a funny scene.

Here he is with me on my birthday almost 2 years ago.

There is no beating the companionship and friendship that a dog gives you.

I'll miss him a lot.

xx

ps on the subject of furry kids, I took Molly to the vet yesterday as there was no improvement in her tummy upset. She was not happy with me AT ALL. She now has antibiotics and I'm hoping she improves soon. The irony is not lost on me that a change in menu to see if she likes a slightly more economical food has ended up costing me $100 so far. But, what can you do?

Friday flowers

For this Friday we have some very cheery polyanthus that I recently planted in the front yard.

I love the thin white edge on the one above.

Some glowing daisies which never stop flowering.

Happy little flowers and I just love the blue colours.

And just because I can, here are a couple of random shots I took last evening whilst sitting in traffic on my way home.

Yay for weekends off. It looks like miserable weather so hopefully I can get some crafting action happening.

Hopefully you all have something nice to do too?

Thanks for all of your cute comments about Molly. She's been under the weather this week with a very upset tummy.  She was very excited last night when I made her a dinner of rice and bbq'd chook. She inhaled it!

Anyway, have a good one bloggies!

xx

Molly and the glowing bone

Molly wanted to show you all her mystical glowing bone.

I wanted to show you all how much I'd love a new camera.

Look at those eyes. She looks very hard done by for a very very spoilt doggy.

Here's the glowing bone highly camouflaged under a small pile of wood chips in the backyard. Better than being hidden in my garden beds. Thankfully she doesn't do that often.

While were on the subject of frustratingly unclear and strangely exposed photographic images, here are a few more gems for you all. Molly and I went shopping for dog biscuits and bones at the new Pet Barn that's opened up in Hobart. Pets are welcome to go shopping.

She was so excited by all the fantastic smells that I could barely keep hold of her. Hence the profusion of super blurry shots. Here she is selecting some stinky liver treats...

Lyndon refused to come with me as he was sure it was going to be an embarrassing shopping experience. He was convinced our innocent little girl was going to rip bones and chew toys from the shelves. I'm very pleased to report she didn't attempt to pilfer at all.

I can't really blame Lyndon for his wariness as a few years ago we took Molly to the Sorell Market for a look. She tried to take toys off a stall and even tried to pull a big stuffed toy from a little girl who screamed when she realised what was happening. Seriously embarrassing.

Look at her with her head in amongst the toys. How cute!

Thankfully no-one was shopping with their pet cat at the same time as us. That could have been interesting.

If the universe happens to be reading this blog...please please can you send me a nice new DSLR?

Those of you in Australia, try to keep warm! And those of you in the northern hemisphere - you lucky warm things!

Take care xx

Five quick questions with Katrina from The Block!



Image via Katrina's blog. Amie on left, Katrina on right.



As many of you will know, I am an avid follower of the television show The Block. I'm even more excited this year that fellow blogger Katrina Chambers is one of the contestants along with her sister Amie!

Katrina was very lovely to answer a few questions for me about her experience on the show...

1 How did you decide on the type of room for your first room? We were confused for the first couple of days and had no idea. But we soon realised what should go where and the layout of the house came to us. Scott Cam gave us an insight and then we were able to sort out the layout. Why a guest room instead of master bedroom? Our master bedroom was going to be somewhere else special in the house - you'll have to wait and see!
 
2 Did you and your sister Amie learn new things about each other during the process?Amie and I have always been really close. We have never competed against each other and we are very protective. We did get asked this question lots and we both said, no, we didn't learn anything new. We knew everything about each other already We were comfortable with each other and it showed. There were no surprises and this is how we were able to live together successfully for 8 weeks! Although, I toss and turn at night and she doesn't move in the bed. Yes, we HAD to sleep together!

3 Do you think the tradies treated you a bit differently to the other couples because you are women? Some did, absolutely. Some were awful. But then we also had a bunch of great and supportive tradies who knew Amie and I were doing it tougher than any female on the block. They really took us under their wing and helped us get through 8 weeks of mayhem. If so, how? You'll have to wait to watch this bit!

4 Worst aspect about The Block? Missing my husband and kids. But their support from home was enormous.

5 The best thing? I have learnt so much about what I can do. I now know that anything is possible. Good things come to people who try hard.

Image via Katrina's blog. Katrina in her stylish reno attire

Thanks so much Katrina! I can't wait to watch the rest of the show and see how your rooms come together. You and Amie are such a hoot!
Might even get some good tips for here at Molly's Maison... Tonight is the first room reveal and I'm really looking forward to seeing them all.
Have a great week friends xx

Friday flowers and a vegie patch update

These beautiful David Austin roses called Strawberry Hills are blooming in the backyard.

They're a lot brighter than usual.

They smell divine.

Not a whole lot of action in the vegie patch at the moment.

Below are some brussels sprouts that are slowly growing. This one has so far survived the onslaught from slugs.

I also have quite a few broccoli plants that are so far doing ok.

Last year they were attacked by bright green slugs so I have begun what I plan on being regular doses of Seasol. I've heard it helps. I'm really not a fan of sprays, slug pellets or anything that kills bugs for that matter - I'd prefer to 'discourage' than kill :)

Below is my other completely neglected patch. You can see some silverbeet that I keep forgetting to use (naughty me) and baby beetroot that I have been roasting (yum!).

I must do some work here and get it ready for broad beans and lots of peas. In fact, it's almost time to start these little guys germinating.

Well, there you have it, a bit of messy reality.

What have you guys got growing in your vegie patch?

Speaking of gardens, I am excited to have planted another couple of rose bushes. But that's for another post.

Have a great Friday and even better weekend. Think of me sitting at work over the weekend freezing my little butt off!

xx

A Sunday walk

Lyndon, Molly and I went for a wander down to the creek this afternoon. Molly gets so excited if anyone says the "w" word.

It's nice for her to be able to run around off the lead.

Look at that happy face! Isn't my girl adorable?

The creek must have been freezing, but Molly went in anyway. It is very difficult to keep her out of water.

Shaking the water off. Not the most flattering photo!

Her legs look very skinny when they're wet. We always have a chuckle at her expense when she looks like this.

We walked past some really interesting old properties on our way home. I'd love to have a snoop. I'm sure they could tell some great stories.

I hope you all had a nice weekend too. Did you do anything fun? 

Looks like fish and chips for dinner and a relax in front of the fire watching Downton Abbey on tv. Do you watch it? I adore the dresses they wear :)

xx