In between packing...

In between packing boxes (we are already moving in 3 weeks time!) I just have to craft a bit as well!

(I think the last thing I'll pack up is the sewing machine; )

At the moment I'm making a patchwork blanket for the new home.

Just 100 more squares to go...

And we decided not to spoil our weekend with packing. Instead we went camping!

It was a beautiful, sunny but very cold weekend. Luckily we were well prepared as it got down to - 0.6 degrees. Covered in blankets, hats, scarfs and warm pairs of socks we sat around the camp fire in the beautiful woodlands around Creswick. It was lovely!

Another great thing about Australia are the Antique shops. No matter how tiny a village is, it always has a antique shop. We visited 5 this weekend! Oh, so much to see. Love it!

 

  

And yes, it's definitely Autumn on this site of the planet!

Allright....back to packing now!

Back in time!

The other day we were on the hunt for a Maccas (Australian for MacDonalds). 

But as always there's millions of Maccas on this planet, but if you are searching for one you can't find it.

We just gave up hope as we noticed a sign that said 

'real American Burgers here'.

Longing for a snack we decided to give it a try.

And what a discovery we made. It was as if going back in time. Amazing!

It felt like The King himself, Or Olivia and John would walk in any moment... lol.

(as you might have figured out, I've never been to America. 

I presume these restaurants are more common over there?!))

   

Anyway the burger was great!

One to share!

I love tulips!

Unfortunately they are sooooo expensive here in Australia.

But sometimes (if they are sold with a little bit of discount) I buy myself a few.

I thought I'd share one with you!

And this is what I discovered this morning. I'd already given up hope and forgot all about them!

But my hyacinths are back!!!  

And the good news is that they will move from our tiny balcony to a massive garden, 

because we found a new home! Yahoo!

That means I will be very busy the next couple of weeks. 

You won't find me on my blog too much probably. But I'll try my best to keep you updated!

Have a lovely weekend.

Let it flow!

I was asked to make some watercolour illustrations for a website a few weeks ago. I hardly have any experience with water colouring so that was a bit of a challenge. Unfortuanatly I can't show you the finished drawings but although it took me a bit, they worked out pretty good.

I'm a bit of a control freak so that is probably why I like working with acrylic paint so much. It's easy to focus on details with acrylic paint. Where as watercolour leads is own life. Whaaa!.... no painting in between the lines. 'Let it flow'... that's what I had to tell myself all the time.

But I got the hang of it and motivated by a friend 

(thanks again Nancy ; ) I'm giving it a go.

What do you think?

'my day in Fitzroy'

What was I thinking?!!?!

It took me one and a half year to discover paradise in Melbourne!

'Amazing' would be the best word to describe Fitzroy, the suburb me and my friend visited last Friday.

Gorgeous and inspiring shops, lovely cafe's, yummy restaurants, boutiques, modern design, vintage and antiques, fabrics...

... you can find it all.

Here's just a tiny impression of 'my day in Fitzroy'

And here are a few of my favourite stores. Some of them do have a blog:

http://cottageindustrystore.blogspot.com

http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/

http://www.littlesalon.com.au/

http://www.douglasandhope.blogspot.com/

This is what I bought. Paper Lanterns and wrapping paper from anna chandler design.

Cherish, enjoy and play!

I was asked again to make a name plaque for a little boys room. And whilst I was working on the plaque I got inspired and decided to make a few paintings as well. 

(As if I don't have enough ideas to work on...hehe)

Anyway, these are the paintings. Last minute I decided to add a few words. I stamped them and I'm very happy with the result. The words make the painting that little bit more special (at least that's what I think).

Off course they go together!

And this is the name plaque that got me started in the first place.

The name just fits as you can see!

Have a great weekend!

My crafty friend Suzanne and I are going to Fitzroy (a suburb in Melbourne) tomorrow to get inspired. Not that I really need it. My head is exploding with inspiration. But it's just a nice area to stroll around, have a yummy coffee and a even yummier lunch in between visiting lovely  and unique little shops! 

I'll take my camera and I will share my finds with you soon.

Enjoy!

Brrrr....

I love Pip Studio as I mentioned before. 

Inspired by her bright and colourful combinations I made these bags. 

And yes, the embroidery patterns are from Smila´s World again.

    

Yesterday we experienced a cold day in Melbourne with an icy wind.

I'm amazed with the fact that I got adjusted to the Australian temperatures so fast.

It's 14 degrees outside and I'm already freezing!!! 

I'll make sure I keep my toes warm and comfy this winter.

Sweet Sewing Kits

These are two little sewing kits I made for friends. 

The bird embroidery patterns (for the machine) I bought online at Smila´s World

I went nuts!

 The 'Craft and Stitch Show' was on this weekend in Melbourne! If I'm not mistaking it's the biggest yearly craft event in the city.

It was great and I went nuts!

This is what I bought...

I love blue, green and natural colours, and most of these fabrics I'll use in our home.

There's a few handprinted ones among them. Beautiful!

And these are the other happy fabrics I bought!

 

A few of you asked me about the recipe for the Mexican cheese cookies that I posted about earlier.

I've got it from the internet. It's in Dutch and you can find it here:

© Janneke's recepten pagina (click on the C to get to her site)

(http://www.jannekes.nl)

This week I also received two awards.

The first one I received from Bouwiena from 'Zo Mooi zo Hip'. 

She has a lovely blog herself and you can buy her creations here: http://www.zomooizohip.nl.

And the second award I received from Fleur and her blog is called 'Sproet'. Make sure you'll have a look on her blog as well. She is 14 years old and already very talented!

Thank you so much!