Tagines & Things

A good friend of mine was married in Belgium about a month ago. We gave the couple a Le Creuset Tagine for a present.

Unfortunately we were not able to go over for the wedding (although I would have really really loved to go) but she is back visiting Australia with her new husband now and there was an Australian celebration of their marriage last night.

So... I wanted to take along a little present because I don't like showing up empty handed, that's boring.  I wanted to get something that would not take up too much space and be nice and light for them to take back to Belgium with them.  I also wanted to get something that 'went' with the tagine.

In the end I decided to make a set of placemats for them as well as a few pretty coloured Moroccan tea glasses with tea lights.  Happy with my decision, but a procrastinator through and through I didn't start to make the placemats until yesterday (the BBQ was last night).

So it wasn't until the last minute that I realised I didn't have enough fabric... der. Disaster. I was planning on making 6 placemats and I only had enough fabric for 5, which is a bit odd so I ended up only giving them a set of 4. I am hoping it doesn't look too dumb when they open it... oopsies.

If you happen to read this A, I will try and find some more matching fabric to make it a full set.  Sorry!

Church Garage Sale

Once a year the Samford Community Church holds a 'monster' garage sale.

We went a couple of weeks ago.  It's good to get there early but we didn't get there until about 11am and I still found a couple of goodies.

First of all I found this old school chair for $1. I've been looking for one of these for ages so I was excited. It was covered in stickers but after some goo remover and scrubbing I think it looks good. (Remember those diaries you used to get in primary school that closed with a big magnet down the side and had a few pages of stickers that looked like they were done by Quentin Blake and said things like 'Radical'.. it was covered in those)

I also found this little game of Arithmetic Lotto. I love the illustrations on the little number tiles.

So I took a set of the numbers and I framed them. I am really happy with it.

I was going to put it in one of the girls rooms, but I think I'll wait until we've finished fixing up our study (hopefully before 2020) and maybe put it near my desk.

Good garage sale.

I have a totally rad little brother

My brother has just today returned from a trip to Europe and the US.

My little family and I were very spoiled by him and we all got some lovely presents.

Saltwater sandals for all the girls (me included, yay!)

Another Alice to add to my little collection.  This one is from Portobello Rd, the guy told my brother he was lucky to find an Alice because "that Alice is hard to come by".

London in a bag for G, from Muji.

And from Anthropologie a cardigan for Polly for next winter and a dress for Matilda.

Totally spoiled, thanks T! We're glad to have you home.

We've been camping

For a few days at the Bunya Mountains.  Good fun, but glad to be home (and in a bed, and clean).

Fleur Playmat

I finished a project off my October list, one down and hopefully a few more to go.

I have this pattern of Leslie's from the Australian Homespun magazine (from 2008!) and I've been meaning to make it ever since.  Finally got around to it and I love it.

I think Polly likes it too.  She went for the petals straight away and has been having fun playing with them today.

I actually really enjoyed making this mat, I like the way it's assembled. You can get the pattern now from Leslie's etsy store. 

Yay for Crafty Weekends

Craft for me: a new owly cushion for our couch. Grumpy looking, because that's how we like our owls around here.

He was actually made a few days ago because craft nights are back (!) and we're all making owls. But I finished stuffing him and stitched him closed this weekend, so that counts.

Craft for Polly: progress on the fleur playmat. Hopefully more will get done tonight, and who knows it might even be finished this week. Bold I know.

Craft for Matilda (and ok, I had fun too): Totally cute mushroom house from this etsy shop, who I found via ChingyPingy.  There are some amazing tutorials and free printable on their blog too.  I've added lots more to my list of things to make and buy!

And even crafty presents: for Polly, made by ChingyPingy.  Knitted babushkas, love it!   (I'm thinking maybe a babushka theme for Polly's 1st birthday?  I know it's not until next May, but it's not too early right?)

Hope you had a fun weekend too.

This weekend

What a week! Things just don't ever slow down do they?

But this weekend - no plans, rainy weather, a reasonably tidy house. A chance to do slow down and do some fun stuff hopefully.