Ok, so what are they doing in this photo? I recently purchased this image from a lovely lady in the UK. Neither of us have any real idea about what the photo shows and there are no details on the back to give us a clue! The little glass jars/lanterns are not only strung across the water but perched on the rocks too. So are they catching fairies?

Still snowed under by the maths books from hell BUT I am set to hand it over at the beginning of June (insert happy dance!)! Rohan and I did manage to step out on the town ‘Ellie free’ with my lovely sister and her partner in crime Tim, who were visiting from Sydney. We went to see Puppet Up! in the stunning Princess Theatre, (part of the Melbourne Comedy Festival). It was brilliant! My sister and I are both longtime Henson fans so it was really exciting to get a glimpse of what it must have been like on set. Incredibly clever and very funny.

Not much luck on the thrifting front aside from this trim (quite substantial lengths too!) and an signed Alison Lester book. I do however have a new toy which I am fumbling around trying to learn how to use….sneak peak bottom right. I am thinking of using it for part of my Blogetogethertwo gifts. Winter inspired designs in progress!

Oh and before I forget, I made a new banner! I didn’t realise those reading via Bloglines and the like may not see it. The dancing girls photo is one of my absolute favourite photo finds. I know adding wings is hardly original but it seemed appropriate and it is my little corner of the world after all! And on that note I’ll leave you with this…

‘I look sooooo pretty!’ was her response when I showed her in the mirror! Leave a two year old alone with textas at your own risk!

Featured Gem 11
Real Photo Postcard

‘Lily & her friends’

Date: Unspecified
People: ‘Lily’ far left. Others only identified as ‘friends’!
Studio: Unidentified
Postcard Back: Written in pencil ‘Lily & her friends’

Notes: I recently acquired this fabulous photo postcard from a seller in Canada but I have no idea if that is where the photo originates. The numbers at the bottom left read: 7893. I am not sure if these represent the image number? I have other cards where the number has obviously marked the date of the photo. Any ideas?

Aren’t the costumes fabulous? You’ve probably gathered that clown/ pierrot/harlequin costumes is another favourite of mine! The seaside backdrop is nice and subtle and doesn’t detract from the subjects. The backdrop makes me think it could perhaps be a photo taken at an amusement park or pier. I am gathering quite a collection of ‘amusement’ or ‘arcade’ photos and am enjoying doing a little research into their history. It seemed to be quite a popular thing to do for fun!

My Nanna turns 88 today! Happy Birthday Nan! She, Eloise and I are the redheads of the family — a special little bond that ties us together!

I’m just back from a ten day break in my old stomping ground, the Blue Mountains. Eloise and I flew up and spent some time with my folks and dropped in on Nan. We had a wonderful holiday lounging around, antiquing, folk-festivaling, park playing, coffee drinking, duck feeding and shopping. Eloise discovered Mum’s pianola and serenaded us with bizarre medleys at every moment she could. Now she is asking for her own ‘pinano’. Hmmm.

We attended the Blue Mountains folk:blues:roots festival (musical highlights being Luka Bloom on the Saturday night and one of my Dad’s all time favourites, Ralph McTell on Sunday arvo). Unfortunately the weather was terrible so it did take the shine off festival activities a bit. However this did mean more time was spent trying to keep dry by wandering up and down Katoomba Street sipping coffee, eating cake and checking out antique and junk shops (oh the tragedy!). I didn’t end up buying too much — some beautifully painted pet rocks for Eloise (a wombat and a cat) and a couple of awesome vintage children’s books (1912 & 1924) with wonderful illustrations (see below) and dozens of stunning silhouettes.

The week before we left was frantic. My priorities sure have changed since having Eloise…..never would I have imagined I’d be stalking ticketek online for the latest Wiggles tickets (man, how fast do those babies sell!??)…and indulging in a morning of ‘Playschool’ at the local theatre. Playschool ‘live’ was brilliant by the way. I swear when Benita Collings burst through the ‘door’ I am embarrassed to admit I felt a wee bit emotional! Benita first appeared on Playschool in 1969 and filmed 401 episodes! I feel very lucky that we got to see her at work! Now if her co presenter had been John Hamblin I’d have been a tad fanatical — no offense to the excellent George (he was more my sister’s era) but John is John. (Oh and Eloise enjoyed the show too. Ha ha!)

In other news I moved back into my studio/office/study over the weekend after spending 12months in a playpen in the corner of the living room so that I could ‘watch’ Eloise while I worked at the computer (yes you read that right…it was ME in the playpen). I am so incredibly happy to be back in my own space and I think it’s just the change of scenery I need. My sewing machine also has it’s own table. Yippeeee!!

It’s nice to be back.

I almost didn’t go op-shopping this morning as I was supposed to be at home doing work…but I couldn’t help myself…and LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!!!!!!!!!
(is that enough exclamations? I think not!!!!!!)

Happy Valentines Day to me. A B6 Print Gocco for $6 and it’s hardly used.
I need new bulbs and masters but I am not complaining!
Everything else is there!

More info:
Gocco on Flickr
Save Gocco
The Small Object – Print Gocco tutorial

I’m way too busy to blog. Why? Because I am making fifteen gifts to swap with fifteen arty crafty blogging gals I have never met. With just over a week until the great ‘blogetogether’ I am getting more and more anxious. Actually I am feeling a little dizzy about it!

The pressure is mounting as previews of what’s in store are leaked – including here, here, here, here, here and here. Oh my!! My little gift involves a bit of sewing. Sewing *gasp*…I have not sewn anything in years. What was I thinking? Many of these bloggers are quite proficient sewers (obviously!). Nothing like jumping in the deep end. It took me a while to even figure out how to thread the darn machine! So please lovely kind hearted bloggers don’t look TOO closely!! No exposed seams, no zippers and no buttons…phew. Honestly though, I am really enjoying it!

Also sent off this week was my mini swap package. Poor little Finn and Violet will get to sample some of my novice sewing…but I think they’ll enjoy their goodies enough not to notice the crooked seams! I will post pictures when they receive their parcel! This was so much fun to put together.

And to finish up, a little February thrifting…

Earthy floral screen printed linen, chunky vintage buttons, old tin kitchen canister with red lid and cherry decal, as new Oilily woollen jumper for Eloise ($2.99!!) and a stack of sheet music with enchanting titles like ‘Dance of the Dewdrops’ and ‘Fairy Whispers’.

I just realised I missed my first ‘blogiversary’ too. I may not be the most prolific/consistent poster but I am pretty chuffed I have kept my two blogs up for over 12 months!!