The Bunting Swap

I am thrilled to be participating in The Bunting Swap which has been organised by the lovely and clever Rach. You can see some of the beautiful things she sews here and you can read all about the bunting swap here.

I LOVE bunting. We have a small collection of bunting at our place-is there such thing as too much bunting?
I don't think so!

Shabby bunting to brighten up my craft room. Made from thrifted sheets and doilies.

Pretty pink bunting belonging to Miss 9. I bought this one from a local crafter years ago and still love it.

Cute bunting made from Prints Charming fabrics by this beautiful girl for my littlest beautiful girl.

An easy peasy birthday bunting that I whipped up at the last minute for Ollie's recent lego themed birthday.
It's threaded onto some twine so I plan to add in some pink, orange and purple for a rainbow party down the track.

I've been happily stitching away, creating my bunting for the swap.
I won't show you until the recipients have received their bunting BUT today the postie delivered my first piece of 'bunt'.

Thank you so much Ruth. I love it and I love what you wrote on the card as well.
I really love the sentiment behind this swap.
I can't wait to have a quirky, mismatched bunting made from like minded, crafty souls around the world!
Just a lovely thought really.

This week at our place...

Boo played her first game of Touch fotball. She is no sporty spice but she is super keen. I think it's going to be very, very good for her. I think she'll make new friends, I think she'll be puffing and coughing and clearing her lungs, I think it will bring her 'out of her shell' so to speak, I think it will be fun!

Our spirited boy has been somewhat 'naughty' so to speak. Tonight I was reminiscing about some of his (not so) finer moments-leaving the tap on and flooding the bathroom, pulling the toilet roll holder off the wall, karate kicking the screen door in...just a few things that sprung to mind. And then I wandered up to the playroom to find this little message.

This week he brought home ANOTHER award from school. This time for 'initiative'. He is a beautiful boy! Everyone says so;) I know so.

Miss Lulu has finally mastered the toilet:) Hoorayyyyyyyyy!

She is also starting to draw. She drew this picture of our family. If you look carefully, you'll see heads, eyes, noses and mouths of sort.

I am learning to run. And I am enjoying it.

The other day I bought a banana smoothie. I had to pay a 50c surcharge for the banana!
I also saw Christmas decorations in Big W!!

G went for a boys night out. Think lawn bowls-yes! fried food and beer.

Today we all pitched in and did some much needed Spring cleaning and the children had their first swim for the season, albeit a bit chilly.

Hope you had a lovely week too.

My Creative Space

I finally threaded the elastic in the waist of this easy peasy patchy skirt. It was a fun little project I made when I had the urge to sew and took no time at all. I'm not loving the border though... I'm thinking I might replace it with some a solid coloured binding or a piece of ric rac. What do you think?

For more creative spaces, click here. You won't be sorry, I promise;)

Thrifting

This week I found some lovely floral sheeting-2 x double sheets and a pillowcase in beautiful condition. I think a Spring skirt of sorts is in order.

I also picked up a couple of pretty aprons-just 50c each. Love the fabrics.
This one was poorly made and a bit tired so I've already snipped into it and made some covered buttons.

This one is a bit cute so I'll be wearing it for a while.

 

Not an op shopped find but an old chair I retrieved from the shed at my in-laws place.

It belonged to Pop and it will be the perfect chair for O's desk. Funny though, when I went outside around 5pm to snap a picture of the chair, I decided to pull out the sander and see what was underneath that red laquer. I'm not sure the Mr found it funny. Dinner time on a Sunday night might not have been the best time to start sanding back an old chair but sometimes when inspiration hits...well you just have to run with it, I think;)

For more flea market finds, click here.

Flea Market Finds

This week I bought this little cup to go with my other little cups.

Just $1..not quite the 20c bargain that the other little cup was but cheery all the same and matched in nicely with the others. The little mustard pot is a sugar bowel that I picked up for $1 also.

And some favourites around my home that I haven't shared before.
I bought this orange vase for $14 from a second hand place. It was one of those must haves. And, while $14 wasn't cheap, I recently saw one the same for $35 at the Mill Markets(more about that later).

The tiny yellow teacup and saucer was $6.50 at another second hand place. The milk glass was picked up for 50c at the oppy and I have really grown to love it.

A little tin just 50c from the oppy. Have I shown you this already? Hmm never mind..I do love it.

Finally, a pretty tablecloth from Vinnies-$2.00

I buy these pretty linens with the best of intentions-to chop up for fabulous sewing projects-but then I have so much trouble cutting into them. It's adorning our table for now.

What treasures have you picked up lately?
Playing along with Flea Market Finds here.

The Buy Nothing New Challenge

Are you up for it??? I am! For the whole month of October I'll be buying nothing new!!! And I am hoping the effects of this will last way  beyond October!

Are you guilty of popping a magazine in the shopping trolley at the checkout (that you probably don't need)? Me...always!

A spot of impulse shopping when you see new season clothes in the shops. Me..sometimes.

Do you buy something on sale because it's a BARGAIN and maybe, just maybe you don't really need it?? MUM! I am talking to you... you crazy lady that sees a sale sign a mile away. I've never seen a lady with a walking stick move so fast!!! (Love ya' Mum!)

If you answered yes to ANY of those, then I challenge you to join me in the BUY NOTHING NEW CHALLENGE for the month of October.

Read all about it here.

*Obviously you will be able to buy NEW food and medicines. At our place we'll be talking with the kids about consumerism and talking about this checklist.

Do I really need this?
What is its lifecycle? What went into making it (time, labour, resources)
What are the alternatives?
Where did it come from? How did it get here?
What is its environmental and social impact?
Who benefits from the purchase? What will it do for me?
What's in it? Who made it?
 

Flea Market Finds

Just a little something this week. (I'm saving my money for a new pair of runners;)
Three sweet little cup and saucer sets, just 20c each. Happy:)
The Mister thinks they're crappy but I love them.
Is your 'better half' supportive and encouraging of your op shopping addiction hobby?

For more oppie treasures pop over here.

Sunday drive

Celebrating Father's Day with 'our daddy'.
We love you so much G! Best daddy EVER!

Our birthday boy

Six years ago, on the very first day of Spring... this beautiful boy came into the world and into our hearts.

 

He is such a happy spirited, joyful boy.
He finds fun and laughter everywhere.

Today he had his favourite breakfast, french toast with maple syrup.
All he wanted was some lego.
He loved the picture his big sister drew for him. He especially loved his new watch and he LOVED his lego.
I told him he could have a lunch order because it was his birthday. He said 'no thank you'. He told me that last time he dropped his hot dog in the dirt. I suggested he have something different. He chose chicken nuggets.
He discovered a little treat in his bag at recess time.
I made cake pops for his Kinder class.
His daddy came home with a bunch of balloons-six of course.
We had strawberries dipped in white chocolate for afternoon tea.

And the cake...

 Happy Birthday beautiful boy! You bring sunshine every day. We love you so very much!