Peekaboo Lucy

New Project

2012-02-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

Liberty Log Cabin

Book stash

I have spent the last few nights reading books, blogs and getting ideas from Pinterest as to what I should do for a next big project. I have decided to do a Liberty Log Cabin Quilt as it is the log cabin quilt at Calico & Ivy that I fell in love with many years ago. I have my collection of Liberty's that I bought overseas and a rough plan of how it will end up. Now all I need is many quiet nights to sit by my machine and stitch away.

Liberty Love

2012-02-04T19:35:00.000-08:00

As usual when I find a few spare moments to myself I like to visit my favourite coffee shops and enjoy a good coffee with a magazine, last week I visited Metrio & Co which used to be the Pantry Door. I love the fit out and the owner is gorgeous, he is welcoming and he said when I walked in "where have you been?". Since moving we have not been back and now I will make more of an effort to make the short drive to go back.

I completed a little cushion for my bedroom made out of my favourite Liberty Fabric and made the back out of fabrics I had in my stash.

My reading pile

2012-02-03T03:23:00.000-08:00

I made a promise to myself that I would read more this year, more books than magazines, however I can't go past Country Style each month, I love the stories of others that live relaxed homely life styles that create idyllic pictures in my mind of where I would like to be, not where I am.

I joined my local library and found Kelly Doust's, creator of the Crafty Minx new book, A Life in Frocks. I found it funny most of the way through and more often than not was caught out on the bus having a chuckle. There were paragraphs I related to and bits that reminded me of my past. A few Sydney haunts she had been, I have too, and I did think at one point if I had been a few years younger we may have crossed paths. I really enjoyed her book

I am now reading the 100ft journey, a culinary story that so far has conjured up images in my mind of curries, spices and smells that are foreign to me, hence I decided to make curry tonight for my dear friends.

I love you whole wide world

2012-02-03T03:01:00.000-08:00

Lucy went to her first day of Kindy today and I am not sure what she was excited about more, wearning pink or playing with her new books and pencils. It was a morning of dancing, singing, reading and getting to know the teachers. I felt a little lost when I dropped her off and thought that "this is it", school has begun and there will be no more excuses for funny words because they will be corrected by the teachers...

My favourite Lucy words are:

Bufferlies (butterflies)
Lispick (lipstick)
Effelents (Elephants)
Paint Faceted (Face Painted)
and
I love you whole wide world

Happy first kindy day little one...

Lucy Ballerina

2012-01-31T03:04:00.000-08:00

Lucy is starting Ballet on Saturday so today we went to get her 'kitted' out with all the pinkities. She has been posing, dancing around the lounge room pretending to be Angelina Ballerina, practising her pleas and twirling all over the place.Now if only I can get them off her before bedtime.

Felting Piece

2012-01-28T04:30:00.000-08:00

Handmade Nuno Felting

Ikea Box Frames

A few years ago I learnt a bit of felting and have made a few pieces to hang in my home and give to friends that love handmade felt pieces as presents. I have a good friend who is turning 60 tomorrow and I made this piece for her, they are all her favourite colours and I am pleased with how the mix of felt, Liberty fabric, sequins and silk threads have turned out.

2012-01-24T05:35:00.000-08:00

I am having makers block at the moment. I'm unsure if it is the weather.. we are in for a week of 40 degrees and I just want to sleep and read my pile of books I received as Christmas Pressies. I found this cute poster on an Internet search and printed out one in every colour for inspiration. My projects are piling up thanks to the discovery of Pinterest, there are so many fantastic things to make and so many different ideas for my house... where to start ?

What do you do if your inspiration has turned to sleep mode ?

Honey & Fairies

2012-01-22T17:51:00.000-08:00

Honey Joys

Lucy & Cousin Lily

What do little girls do when they have sleep overs...
Play 'cupe tea' in the cubby house
Cry over who is having the pram, who is having the trolley
Dress up and pretend to be fairies
Play lego and jump on the trampoline
Sing in the garden
Collect rocks and flowers

and everyone loves Honey Joys to have with a 'cupe tea'

Ingredients:

90g butter or margarine

1/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon honey

4 cups Corn Flakes

Method

Preheat oven to 150°C.

Line 24 hole patty pan with paper cases.

Melt butter, sugar and honey together in a saucepan untilfrothy.

Add Corn Flakes and mix well.

Working quickly spoon into paper patty cases.

Bake in a slow oven 150°C for 10 minutes.

Cool.

One Hot Saturday

2012-01-20T21:29:00.000-08:00

stone hearts, one from Spain, one from Perth

Love birds from Tarts Cafe

Original Artwork by Lucy

Daydreams

Lunch

Felt heart bought in Paris, mon favori

It it so hot here today that the pavement looks like it is simmering in the heat, washing is drying in 15 minutes, Lucy is snoozing and the crowds at the beach are not appealing so I have been pottering around the house doing odd jobs, cooking and moving my treasures around and remembering where I bought them from... Ah Paris, j'adore.

Our weekend was...

2012-01-15T00:04:00.000-08:00

hanging out with friends

A game of tennis doubles

A swim at the beach

Collecting

Mr Sparrow

2012-01-09T00:15:00.000-08:00

I bought myself a present from Mr Sparrow. I love this tea cup (that I have used for coffee this afternoon). I also indulged in some gorgeous new stamps and watched my daughter dance to the groovy tunes in Mr Sparrow. It is fab little shop for unusual finds, some vintage, some new. I have bought a few pressies there over my time but today I was lucky, there is a sale - 25% off everything - yah !

Peekaboo Cottage Complete

2012-01-08T15:11:00.000-08:00

Operation Cubby Progress

2012-01-08T05:09:00.000-08:00

A snippet

We worked really hard today on the cubby and finished it, unfortunately the batteries ran out on my camera so I will take the final photos tomorrow. We are yet to come up with a name, Chateau Peekaboo or Peekaboo Cottage are the two running favourites however it is technically not large enough to be a Chateau, but "duz'nt matter" as Lucy would say.

I had fun making the bunting and the curtains and Lucy served us all a "French Juice" this afternoon.

Tonight we sat back with our lovely friends, shared a G&T and had a little cheers to Lucy on her first home.

2012-01-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

New Fabrics

A view in my craft room

Yesterday Lucy and I went to Calico & Ivy to spend my Christmas Voucher and I found these gorgeous Japanese Prints, I am not sure what I will do with them but they are soft like Liberty fabric so I guess something to wear, a summer nightie for Lucy could be the go.

On the way home Lucy fell asleep so I popped her into bed and headed up to my craft room to unpack the rest of the boxes in the cupboard up there. I found things that I had forgotten about and did a re-arrange of my room. Followed by a lovely dinner at friends where I was introduced to Pinterest (fabulous), it was a fantastic day, in fact days like yesterday are up with my all time best way to spend a day.

Happy Loves Rosie

2012-01-05T03:22:00.000-08:00

I love the blogging world, it opens your eyes to all the great people out there with fantastic imaginations, a love of our pretty world and things to make a do. I have stumbled across so many gorgeous sites lately and this one just caught my eye. It is called Happy Loves Rosie. It is full of gorgeous things, lovely photos and heaps of inspiration. Lucy and I love the vintage caravans and have decided that an old caravan would be the perfect cubby, decked out in happy shabby of course.

Quilting for Lucy

2012-01-03T00:10:00.000-08:00

Back in 2010 I joined a block swap and sent my fabrics off all over the country side to people I didnt know and a few months later I had blocks to make a quilt. Some blocks were perfect, some wonky so I used what I could and then made many extra blocks to complete a quilt for Lucy. Finally I have taken the photos to upload to my blog.

Operation Cubby

2012-01-01T20:46:00.000-08:00

Cubby Before

Starting to paint

undercoat on

We bought this worn out cubby from a friend a few months ago and with a few spare holiday days we have started to restore it. The roof has come off, eaten timbers replaced and boards re-nailed. The undercoat is now on and we are half way to Lucy's first house renovation. I made cute bunting last night in preparation for a Cubby Warming Party.

New Year

2011-12-31T20:15:00.000-08:00

A new year has begun and it has been a slow start. We cleaned up after a gathering with friends last night, which was a great way to end 2011. I have been comtemplating my resolutions and have decided on the following few things.

more crafting, less telly
continue dancing
grow some veges
teach my little girl to ride her bike
read more books

A funny thing happened...

2011-12-29T04:37:00.000-08:00

That's my Girl

Whilst we were saying our vowels, Lucy decided to show our family and friends her new knickers. I think this is my favourite wedding photo, captured by a friend.

In a nutshell

2011-12-27T05:37:00.000-08:00

before the dishes

Christmas Day was hectic but our Boxing Day was like a quiet Christmas - bliss

Favourite moment was opening the handmade music box from my clever Dad for Lucy, I am truely blessed to have such creative, clever caring parents.

I went in search of flowers for the table and found some unsual flowers.

Today I have enjoyed flipping through my secret santa gift of the new Dottie Angel Book - I need a straight day to myself to read this joy.

Counting Down

2011-12-19T22:17:00.000-08:00

I have nearly finished my advent calendar, just a bit late this year. I need to add to it for next year to make it look more like a Christmas calendar. It took longer to make that I thought, cutting out all those little liberty numbers and hand stitching. Lucy loves it and has filled it with goodies already. Next year we will do it properly and put new goodies in it.

Hallway Transformation

2011-12-11T05:08:00.000-08:00

The undercoat is finally on the hallway, the green and mustard have gone completely. Now it just needs the top coats. I can't actually believe how much lighter and larger the hallway feels and looks.

Boiled Eggs & Buttered Soldiers

2011-12-11T05:06:00.000-08:00

We are within walking distance of a fantastic new strip of shops in Maylands, lovely cafes, cute homewares and boutiques. I have stumbled across Chapels on Whatley a few times but of late they have renovated and turned their shop into a great cafe. I had the most perfect breakfast of perfectly boiled eggs with sourdough buttered soldiers and a pot of French creme de la creme tea - tres magnifique !

2011-12-05T04:45:00.000-08:00

I have discovered this fantastic magazine called Anthology. Now I am addicted now to two things, coffee and Anthology magazine, I can read this one from cover to cover and back again... and again. It is the perfect size to fit into your handbag and feels nice in your hands, great paper. I am patiently waiting for my special edition for Christmas to arrive, so in the meantime I am reading the website. I am still trying to workout how to get back issues.

Renos & Cupcakes

2011-12-05T04:34:00.000-08:00

Hallway Before

Lucy at Sherbert

At last, we have started to transform the 1990's disaster decor in our hallway. I am very excited to be painting once again as even though the hallway has lovely features, it has been disguised with olive green and mustard paint, trimmed with a floral wallpaper freize. I found myself saying out loud 'goodbye ugly paint'.

A break in renos and it was off to Sherbert for a cupcake and coffee.

Roses Galore

2011-11-13T02:40:00.000-08:00

All the roses in our front garden have come to life, we didnt know what colours they all were when we moved in, it was a lovely surprise.

Girly Getaway

2011-11-13T02:35:00.000-08:00

This weekend I jumped in the car with three fantastic friends and headed off for a kid free weekend. We drank wine, ate chocolate, walked, slept well and went in search of good coffee and food in delightful Dunsborough. We shopped, laughed and forgot about changing nappies, making decisions and work.

I finished my sis-in-laws Liberty Quilt

Dream

2011-11-01T07:13:00.001-07:00

It is one of my favourite things to do. So when I found this bracelet I had to buy it.

Love Long Weekends

2011-10-28T23:35:00.000-07:00

Will be hard to part with this Liberty Quilt

Lemon Tart

so far I have

Started to painted my craft room
Found a place for buttons and bits
Pinned my sis-in-laws liberty quilt, ready for quilting
Made a lemon tart for friends
Had coffee & croissants at our local market
Caught up on sleep
De-stressed from a horrid week at work

The Laundry Completed

2011-10-23T04:39:00.000-07:00

first room is complete, well, 95% complete, we still need to paint the doors, but we have gone from grubby yellow to lovely Antique White and moved a few cupboards around to maximise practicality and space. It is so great to have one room done.

Renovate Take 3

2011-10-10T06:26:00.000-07:00

Laundry Before

Laundry before

My stylish assistant

We are embarking on our third renovation, lucky most of this one is mostly cosmetic. A little hardware list:

a truckload of Antique White paint,

nice new light fittings

a dose of TLC

new window treatments

hooks to hang our nice things

friends to celebrate the completion of each room !

I decided to start on the laundry as it is a good place to test the paint colour and as it is yellow, it is the first to go ! I had a little helper today, she loves painting.

Bread in a Pot

2011-10-09T21:15:00.000-07:00

I had my second attempt to make bread today and it is wonderful. Crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle. My Mum put me onto this website with a really easy recipe from The Sullivan Stret Bakery of making bread in a pot. I put my in my Le Creuset and it works like magic.

Wednesday Fairy

2011-10-05T05:05:00.000-07:00

I love Wednesdays, it is the start of my working week and the day flys by, I come home to a beautiful clean house because the wonderful Nahid has been here with her magic cleaning wand and today she left me a plate of gorgeous Perisian Treats. I am quite convinced that some people are really fairies because they seem to leave a trail of sparkles and happiness where ever they go.

Footy Fever

2011-09-30T23:40:00.000-07:00

I am not, nor will I ever be a footy fan but today I did make some home made sausage rolls for my hubby and his Dad. I love Grand Final because it marks the end of the season and the noise that goes on, with the tv being on during the middle of the day, on what would otherwise be a peaceful weekend.
Having said all that, if the Dockers ever make it to the finals, I would cheer (silently).

A New Space

2011-09-25T06:50:00.000-07:00

I am starting to get my new sewing room sorted in order to finish some projects and begin some new ones. Today I found this gorgeous little desk that fits in perfectly with my room and has been lovingly restored, complete with crystal door knob. Watch out unfinished projects, you are about to be completed.

Birthday Girl

2011-09-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

Lucy turned 4 today and we celebrated with cake, honey joys, pass the parcel, big strawberries and most importantly friends.
Lucy woke up to pressies and hugs and the first thing she said was "but I am not taller Mummy!"
Happy Birthday to my beautiful girl.

Our Gardening Director

2011-09-12T16:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend we weeded, pruned, mulched, chopped down an invasive tree and Lucy made Fairy Soup out of lavendar and other little flowers from our new garden. With Spring here the garden needs lots of love to keep those weeds away.

Farewell Marmion Street

2011-09-08T06:49:00.000-07:00

This week we said goodbye to our lovely home in Marmion Street. We spent years renovating and making it home but we outgrew it and it was time to move on. Lucy helped by mopping the floors and as I closed the beautiful leadlight door I said 'thanks house for all the good times'. We hope the new owners love it too.

We now have a new home in Inglewood to renovate and create some more memories.

Drop in for a cuppa...

Spring Has Sprung

2011-09-01T03:39:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung
The grass has riz
I'm packing and working
And all in a tiz

Getting the Low Down

2011-09-01T02:20:00.001-07:00

One of my great loves is coffee. Grabbing a mag and sipping a perfectly made long black before diving into my work day is my idea of luxury. A time to gather thoughts and get lost in the music and nice people. I love Low Down in Perth.

Birthdays and Ballet

2011-08-26T05:03:00.000-07:00

Trying to hold onto all things wonderful that make me feel like a kid again I bought a gorgeous pair of ballet shoes and embraced turning 40.

My wonderful hubby joined forces with my parents and bought me a beautiful time piece, now every time I look at my watch I think of them. My darling daughter bought me an antique thimble, she kept it a secret from me for a few days and when she gave it to me she said 'it is so you don't hurt your finger mummy!'

Coffee at Distracted

2011-08-24T05:30:00.001-07:00

I love having coffee with my daughter and she loves coffee at Distracted. Two smellos!

Every Girl Loves to Twirl

2011-08-21T01:09:00.000-07:00

A little party skirt for Lucy made out of scaps from a quilt I recently made for her.

Sewing with Sniffles

2011-08-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

It has been a lovely week with my Mum visiting from Tasmania. We made this scrap cushion together to go with the quilt I made her for her 60th birthday. A great use of scraps I say. Mum has also been teaching me to knit and I have nearly finished my first scarf, I will blog it soon. A few other projects are on the go but sniffles have gotten in the way of getting stuck into things. Thanks for visiting Mum. xxx

Inspiration Came Today

2011-08-01T03:59:00.000-07:00

Inspiration came in the mail today. A book on making little birds by Design Collective and Pip Lincolne's Sew La Tea Do, can't wait to make a few pieces from this gorgeous book.

Even after a strong coffee I really don't know where to start.

Inspiration

2011-07-31T01:49:00.001-07:00

where have you gone....

I want to go to...

2011-07-28T04:42:00.000-07:00

I was have lunch yesterday at Mrs S. a new favourite cafe in Maylands and flipped through an old Frankie mag. I found a write up about this gorgeous shop called Pure and General. Quick find my red sparkley shoes, I want to go there... no place like a gorgeous shop !

I also found a cute site to visit called LeeLoo,lots of lovely things to buy and peek into and for my lovely friend Terri in New Zealand who is very crafty she might like to check out Auckland Fair.

My Mum in Law put me onto a gorgeous book called My Heart Wanders (Pia Jane Bijkerk) and her blog is yummy scrummy.

Liberty Bunny

2011-07-25T03:59:00.000-07:00

I have started making Christmas Presents already. There are a few special little people in my life that really need a bunny dressed in a Liberty Fabric Dress (tres chic). I just love making these bunnies.

Birthday for Nanni Sue

2011-07-19T01:50:00.000-07:00

Today it was Lucy's Nanni-Sue's birthday, the girls painted her a banner and we all made cupcakes, finger sandwiches and fairy bread. Nothing like a girly tea-party on your birthday !

today...

2011-07-18T00:10:00.000-07:00

Today I am grateful for:

my sewing machine

my awsome oven

my friend Jill

my family

not so grateful for:

the scales at the blood-bank

A bit of fun

2011-07-17T02:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend we wandered down the beach after a lovely lunch at Hubbles Yard, played dress-ups, gardened, turned a cute shopping bag (that I bought from Willow & The Bower Bird in East Freo) into a cushion and spent Sunday morning wandering the new shops in Maylands (with my gorgeous friend) and had a lovely brunch at Mrs S. A really lovely weekend.

Weekend Getaway

2011-07-11T02:46:00.000-07:00

Every year we pack the RM's, the old jeans and a few go-karts and head up to our favourite farmstay and hit the track, hang out with great friends and explore the country-side. This year Lucy learnt to 'hold on tight' on the quadbike and the boys got into their usual racing spirit then discussed racing tactics over a few boubons around the bon-fire at night. We stayed up late talking, playing trivial pursuit and eating way too many home cooked treats. A fantastic weekend... next year can not come soon enough.

If Only

2011-07-05T05:24:00.000-07:00

Penny-bryn Place, Launceston

There are some places that take you back to happy times in your childhood. This is one of those places, Penny-bryn place. As a child I went here with my family to visit family and I loved it, I still do. It has happy memories of wonderful Aunts, Uncles and cousins, long afternoons of playing in the garden and opening Christmas presents in the lounge-room.

Sadly my Uncle has sold this place and there will be no more visits to Penny-bryn Place. If only I had the spare cash, I would have snapped it up for my family to keep.

My Uncle has however found a fab new place with a view of the Derwent, we will have to visit soon and make some more wonderful memories

Knit one Purl one

2011-07-05T05:14:00.000-07:00

I have decided I need another challenge, I am going to learn to knit. I mean, it is cool, you can take everywhere, my Mum is super good at it and I would like to be able to knit myself one of those gorgeous Debbie Bliss cardies one day. I ventured into Woolly Lattes , Joan was very helpful and made me feel like I could even knit a vest ! ok, scarf first, then vest.

Market Find

2011-07-01T05:11:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I visited the Perth Upmarket. I am a massive fan and always find something gorgeous I don't really need to take home. One of the hardest things about going to a market when you are a crafty person yourself is to actually buy something. I often think, oh I love that but I could make it myself. I bet lots of crafty people think that thought. However, I still managed to come home with an apron top from Anthea at
Yunikostudio and this little fabric bird from Mokoh, I just love the fabric... somethings you can't go home without and there are of course, somethings you just couldn't make yourself.

New Home

2011-06-30T17:28:00.000-07:00

We bought a new home in Inglewood, it has a craft room for me with a window overlooking the garden, a playroom for Lucy a mans room for Darren and the biggest lemon tree . We move in Spring. We are all so excited right now.

The Weekend that Was

2011-06-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

It was a weekend for

making pies,

seeing an old friend,

wine with friends,

playing in the tee-pee,

house hunting,

starting projects,
a trip to the Perth Upmarket

dreaming about holidays again.

Back to Work

2011-06-22T16:35:00.000-07:00

I went back to work yesterday, feeling a bit like my holiday is a distant memory when faced with all the dramas at work. Work is such a 'catch 22' as I have to work to support my craft habit and I could not have a lovely stash of Liberty fabric if I didn't work. I guess I could work at Liberty ! now that would be my perfect job.

Speaking of Liberty, I have finished the top of my Sis in Laws Quilt... now to find a gorgeous backing.

A Lovely Week

2011-06-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

This week...

Lucy and I baked quiches &

jam-drop cookies,

I pinned Karens quilt ready to sew.

An owl cushion, bought in London

Our first home open is today.

Final Touch Ups

2011-06-14T01:27:00.000-07:00

Today we scrubbed, polished, re-arranged, de-cluttered and prepared for our big photo shoot tomorrow with the agent.

It has been a wet day so a good day to be in-doors taking

care of number 38.

A Change is in the Air

2011-06-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

Our beautiful home goes on the market this weekend and I am feeling a bit excited, a bit sad and very nervous. We have worked really hard on this home but we are out growing it and it is time for a change. It is 4am and I can't sleep, I started thinking about all the wonderful times in this house. The best times would have to be around the dinner table with family and friends. Our table will soon have a new home and we can create more memories there but until then, we wait, and see who the next family will be to sit around their table in our 'old' home.

My Creative Space

2011-06-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

Quilting for Karen

My sister-in-law and I both have a love of Liberty fabric, on my recent trip to London we visited the Liberty store and bought lots of fabric and had a Lovely time in Liberty (how could you not). My most excellent brother waited outside drinking coffee for hours. I offered to make her a quilt which I plan to have finished for her visit in December. Last night I cut out all the squares for the top, it is going to be a simple square pattern which I think is ideal for Liberty as it shows off the gorgeous fabrics. Watch this space...

Turning Japanese

2011-06-09T04:33:00.000-07:00

I bought a few small pieces of Japanese Fabric in Barcelona, Spain. Last night I turned those pieces into a cute cushion and a great memory of my visit to Nunoya in Barcelona.

Little Apples

2011-06-06T16:51:00.000-07:00

After being away for so long I decided to clean out my craft cupboard and I had a reminder of one of the favourite little patterns I bought a long time ago from Craftapalooza, a little apple pincushion. I think I will make a load of them for my Christmas Tree this year.

My Creative Space

2011-06-03T06:19:00.000-07:00

my scrappy hexagon quilt is growing, slowly.

Silk Paper Felting

2011-06-02T21:45:00.000-07:00

I went to another lovely felting workshop at Pauline's the other day and learnt how to make silk paper and create a pattern to put into felt pieces, it was a lovely process and now I just have to finish the stitching to complete the piece. One of the nice things about being on holidays is the amount of crafty time I have.

Lovely Treasures

2011-05-30T23:38:00.000-07:00

I have just started to unpack all the treasures I bought whilst on our recent trip. When in Annecy, France we stumbled across an antique market and even though I couldn't fit a beautiful kitchen table in my suitcase I managed to fit vintage fabric, lace and old ribbon spools.

96 Floreats

2011-05-29T00:09:00.000-07:00

My handmade hexagon quilt is growing, growing

Relaxing Now

2011-05-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

We have arrived home from our 6 month journey. As we flew into Perth after a short vacation in Sinapore (to break up the flight from Paris) we couldn't believe how quickly the time had flown by. The taxi ride home was strange as nothing was new, we knew which way the taxi would turn, how long to wait at lights and which was our home. We walked into our home and it was like we had never left. The lovely thing is we now have some wonderful momentos to place around our home, many great pictures to frame and the joy on friends faces to watch when we hand over some treasures bought from Europe.

Sweet dreams

I unpacked my mound of fabric so tomorrow I must get started on some quilting... oh hang on there is a craft fair on in the morning and I must go with Lindy (craft and great girlfriend, perfect morning).

Crafty Paris

2011-05-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

For our last day in Paris I dragged hubby and Lucy around the craft shops of Paris. We had a lovely day weaving in and out of fantastic shops in the Marais Quarter and then into the small arty streets of Montmatre. I found some lovely places with the help of another crafty blogger and spent a small fortune on fabric for my ever growing stash. When I packed my bag this evening I found that I have more fabric than new clothing purchases so it is going to be a very creative winter.

One of my favourite finds is a little shop across the road from our apartment called Sof Kipeut Paris. I have stashed away a few birthday pressies and bought a fantastic t-shirt. A lot of their things are made from Liberty fabric and creations from local designers - just gorgeous.

We are headed back to Perth tomorrow (with a Singapore detour) so this is my last blog from Europe... for now.

Puppets at Jardin du Luxemborg

2011-05-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

The highlight of today's adventure in Paris was a trip to see the famous Puppet Show in the Jardin du Luxemborg. The theatre has been around since 1933 and is a tradition here with the children to come on a Wednesday as they have no school on this day.

Lucy laughed and clapped at 'The Metamorphoses of Prince Charming'. A funny tale about a prince that was turned into a squirrel and back again to be with his love. The whole play was in french so I did my best to translate to Lucy what was happening. It didn't matter because she laughed anyway, it was really funny. A stroll along Rue de Rennes in the late afternoon and a squashed, hot train ride back to our apartment and we were all ready for bed.

Paris je t'aime

2011-05-17T12:14:00.000-07:00

Amazing Nursery in central Paris

Barbes-Rochechouart Station Paris

Lucy's new wheels

After moving into our gorgeous new apartment, we caught the Metro into the Jardin des Tuileries and walked up the Champs-Elysees to the Arc-de-Triomphe then wandered down to the Eiffel Tower. The tower was crowded and full of people selling mini-towers in varied colours so we sat under it for a while then had a sandwich at a gorgeous cafe close by. Next we walked down 'La Seine' to the metro at Cite and discovered a fantastic gardening centre, it was such a quiet place to be for a while after the noise of Paris and the squashing we were about to experience on the metro. We came home and put our feet up with a beautiful bottle of rose... a really lovely first day in Paris.

Kilometres walked... 11.3

Pasteries eaten... 1

Clothing Purchases...1

Metro trips... 2

Sighs at beautiful spots and laughs... lost count

Pink Fiat 500 Spottings... 1

Dream to Dump

2011-05-16T12:24:00.000-07:00

We left the beautiful Dordogne region today to catch the train to Paris. We arrived all excited at jumped in the taxi to go to our beautiful apartment we had booked (a renovated, furnished french style, with un petit jardin). We arrived to find out that there was a plumbing problem and we were taken to another apartment which in one word is a DUMP. I cried then we decided to go for a walk up to the Sacre-Coeur to view the Eiffel Tower that we couldn't see anyway. Oh well, tomorrow will be a better day and we will find somewhere nice to spend the last few days of our French Folie.

Perigord, Dordogne

2011-05-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

We have had the most incredible day. We woke up, munched on our lovely croissants and cafe noir and drove from Bordeaux to Sarlat in our brand new Peugeot 308. This has to be one of the most incredible pieces of country in the world. Curving roads surrounded by beautiful trees and stone towns built into the hillsides. We arrived at Les jardins suspendus de Marqueyssac at about 1pm and after a walk through the gardens and admiration of the incredible towns nestled below we sat down for a glass of rose in the gorgeous Salon du The and looked over the valley.
Tonight we wandered into Sarlat and stumbled across a Percussion Festival which was held in the main square. Lucy danced non stop for one and a half hours, she is now snoring away while I blog. It was a great day today.

PAUL

2011-05-12T07:19:00.000-07:00

As we are in a hotel with no cooking facilities we have been eating out in Bordeaux. For lunch we had the Tarte Du Jour in a gorgeous cafe full of chandeliers, roses and elegant french furniture. For dinner we had buffalo mozarella and rocket salad in a tiny Italian restaurant that only had 8 dishes to choose from. This morning we had gorgeous pasteries and coffee at PAUL which is a massive franchise here. I captured the bakers having their morning coffee after working hard baking our croissants.

Hexagons

2011-05-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

You can stitch on a plane,

you can stitch on a train,

You can stich in a B&B

even while watching tv.

Beautiful Bordeaux

2011-05-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

Bordeaux Ville

Shall we have an espresso?

A city for eating, drinking, catching up with friends

A city for music, opera, theatre & dance

A city for shopping

A city for italian, french, or moroccan

It has a bit of everything

Un Petit Chateau

2011-05-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

A table is all we need

There is a beautiful chandelier in the window

Isn't she beautiful

We went to visit Chateau Boursalt

It was closed

I was sad

So I crept around

A took some photos

I love this place

Flowers, Vineyards & Battles

2011-05-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

Epernay Flower Market

Vineyards near Epernay

Memorial de Dormans

After a quick coffee and a wander through the flower market in Epernay we drove one section of the champagne trail from Epernay to Dormans. The roads wind through miles and miles of vineyards and are dottted with small villages. The villages today were void of people, open cafes or vineyards. We kept driving until we reached Dormans which has a beautiful park to enjoy walking in and even a 'pique nique', an empty chateau that you can't visit and a wonderful memorial to those that fought in the Battle of Marne (1914-1918). Tomorrow we are hoping to visit a Chateau in the area.

Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-07T11:56:00.000-07:00

Did I have these cheeky smiles for the camera when I was 3 ?

my Mum would know...

There are some things that only Mums know.

Happy Mothers Day to my Beautiful Mum

I love you.

Moet & Chandon

2011-05-07T03:54:00.000-07:00

The incredible caves at Moet & Chandon

Lucy size pink Moet

Today we had the lovely experience of walking under Epernay in the cool caves (28 km of them) of Moet & Chandon. The tour was fascinating and we learnt so much about champagne and can appreciate why it is so expensive. Grapes grown with care, old traditions still used and bottles turned by hand in the cellar. We sampled original and vintage and we all prefered the vintage (bien sur).

Pretty Things

2011-05-05T05:57:00.000-07:00

Pretty Face in Reims Playground

A pretty window box in Reims

Vineyards & A Giant Robot Spider

2011-05-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

We left the Alpes today and travelled by train to Reims, in the champagne region of France. I had a 10 minute glimpse of Paris today as we went through there on the way. Sun shining and shops waiting for me to visit at the end of the month.
We wandered into Reims this afternoon and stumbled across a giant mechanical robot spider next to the Notre Dame Cathedral. It walks, spits and pops off ! It was fantastic to see it work, my Dad would have loved it (and most likely wanted to pull it apart and put it back together again).

French Chick

2011-05-03T00:12:00.000-07:00

The chickens hatched at Mont Saxonnox and Lucy couldn't wait to hold one. I think we should call this one Lucy.

Stunning Chaminox

2011-05-01T08:46:00.000-07:00

Breathtaking

Ice Cave at Montenvers

An amazing day, a voyage to Montenvers to the amazing 'Mer de Glace'

The journey was by train to 1913m, a cable car and 350 steps down into the glacier.

Tomorrow we might tackle the cable car that goes to 3842m on Mont Blanc

Delightful Annecy

2011-04-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

This 'tres jolie ville' has everything

Beautiful canals that wind through the village

Snow capped mountains surrrounding

A crystal clear lake

Lovely people

Antique Markets

Cobblestone streets

Tree lined parks

Gorgeous buildings &

Flowers galore

I bought

Antique Fabric and old wooden spools

Liberty fabric

A precious toy mouse for Lucy

I found

Some creative inspiration

Pont du Diable

2011-04-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

Today we took a drive into the French Alps after following the bike steps of one of the mountain stages of the Tour de France, we came across 'les du Gorges Pont du Diable' It was a long walk down into the gorge and a very steep walk out. A truely fascinating piece of nature.

A Great Day in Les Alps

2011-04-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

On the canal in Annecy

Yippie - I found some fabric in Annecy

Lucy & Darren compare Citron Tarte with Pistachio Macaroons

Lucy woke with a heavy cold so we relaxed in the morning, had lunch on the balcony overlooking the mountains, a coffee in Annecy (a town we will explore more of because it poured with rain when we arrived) and I found a fabric shop that sells Liberty fabric for a steal. We had Kates beautiful homemade sausages and fresh asparagus from the garden for dinner followed by a family movie night watching Toy Story 3. A lovely day.

Mont Saxonnex, France

2011-04-27T00:11:00.000-07:00

Lucy &Alfie making pancakes

The Jeffersons House

View from the Balcony

We have arrived in Mont Saxonnex,France (800mtrs above sea level). We are surrounded by snow capped mountains, green fields full of flowers and views of valleys that go for miles. We are house sitting for an English family for a week. They have a hound dog called Max, some chickens, two cats, ducks and little chicks about to hatch. Lucy has made friends with Alfie, Jake and Amelia and we have enjoyed the company of Kate and Miles. They are off to England today so we will spend the next week looking after the animals and exploring the countryside. It is stunning here, they live in the most wonderful location.

Happy Easter from Geneva

2011-04-24T06:47:00.000-07:00

early morning in Geneva

We arrived in Geneva, Switzerland by train from Rome yesterday. Geneva is a beautiful clean city with lovely gardens and expensive watch companies housed in beautiful buildings that line Lake Geneva. Lucy woke early so we got up and expolored the lake before even the big swans were awake, they were all nesting and were not bothered by our presence.
After breakfast we wandered up to the church for Easter service but they would not let us in as it had already started, Lucy was upset because she just loves churches. We found a playground and she swung to her hearts content.
One amazing thing here is the Jet d'eau that pumps 500 litres of water per second to a height of 140 metres at a speed of 200 km per hour and of course the incredible amount of watches here. I think it is about time I had a Longines.

Trevi Fountain & Park Fun

2011-04-22T08:04:00.000-07:00

Good Luck at Trevi Fountain

Park Fun - Bici Pincio

We had lots of fun today ! This morning we walked to the Trevi fountain and threw coins over our heart into the fountain for good luck. The fountain is really beautiful and the statues and detail that make up this monument are incredible. I was amazed at the size of it.
After that we went to the park above the Spanish Steps and hired a Bici Pincio for a few hours, we rode round and round, went too fast down hills and Lucy drove for a bit of the way yelling at everyone to get out of the way, it was hilarious and we managed not to tip it over.
A spot of shopping and a coffee in the ritzy area of Spagna and we were ready for a rest. Tomorrow Geneva.

Faith, Faberge, Fiats & Filth

2011-04-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

Faberge Eggs Exhibition - Wow

St Peters Square - setting up for Easter

Darren could see himself in one a Fiat 500

The Coloseum needs a bath

Rome... what an an amazing, crazy, wonderful, dirty, busy place. A city full of history, incredible architecture, marble buildings, wonderful shopping, beautiful fountains and spoilt by a layer of dirt and the streets filled with rubbish.

Wonderful moments today:

The Sistene Chapel

(breathtaking)

The Faberge Egg Exhibition

(fascinating)

Basilica di San Pietro to listen to the Pope's message

(heavenly)

A wander in Piazza Navona

(artistic)

Tomorrow we will visit the Trevi fountain and relax in a park.

Assisi

2011-04-17T22:49:00.000-07:00

View from Rocca Maggiore, Assisi

The perfect couple

Today we had a beautiful day in Assisi. We walked through the old fort at Rocca Maggiore, a series of caves, tunnels, towers and rooms filled with armour. We walked the streets lined with marble and cobblestone and visited magnificent churches. I filled my bag with pressies for my mum and Lucy filled her tummy with berry yoghurt and waved an Olive branch from her pram as it was Palm Sunday yesterday. The views from this town are breath taking.

Wedding Day

2011-04-15T23:03:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Daniela in Perth marries her beautiful man John today. I am sad that I am not there. I found these beautiful words in a cafe in Oriveto, Italy yesterday and thought of you both. Happy Wedding Day.

The only people for me are the mad ones,
the ones who are mad to live, mad to be saved,
desirous of everything at the same time,
the ones who never yawn or say a commmon place thing,
but burn, burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles,
exploding like spiders across the stars.

Orvieto

2011-04-15T12:12:00.000-07:00

Orvieto - a view from the Fortress

Michelangeli shop entrance

Today we went to magical Orvieto in Umbria. We were lucky to stumble on the first day of the chocolate festival so we indulged in truffles, 100% pure cocoa, and pink bunnies on a stick. Orvieto is famous for the Duomo, we could not go inside as it was closed for the day due to a big concert, the outside was impressive enough, the architecture is stunning.

The streets are full of beautiful ceramics and everything Pinocchio and more shoe shops (oops I bought another pair). One particular shop called Michelangeli captured my imagination, a beautiful store filled with wooden toys and puppets.

Romeo, Romeo, Where Art Thou ?

2011-04-14T01:20:00.000-07:00

Juliette's Balcony

A day in Verona bought surprises. We visited the Arena and found the amount of dirt and rubbish surprising. We walked the shopping strip and found the walkways surprisingly beautiful. We were ripped off with our sandwiches at the market which surprised us and Romeo was no where to be found, surprise, surprise.

Italy's Amazing Funpark

2011-04-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

Poppi-Alan and Lucy on the (very fast) Peter Pan ride

Darren and Lucy (the Daredevils) on the Rapids Ride

Nanni (Scardy Cat) Sue, Lucy and Nicola on the Ikarus

Today was a day for laughter and screaming. We had a huge day at Gardaland, Italy's biggest funpark. We rode the rollercoasters (including the brand new Raptor and the Blue Tornado) , rode a beautiful merry-go-round, whizzed around on the Peter Pan ride, rode the jungle rapids, shot the egyptian robots. Eight non-stop hours of craziness. Lucy was so much fun to watch and she was more of a dare-devil than her Nanni.

Italian Food

2011-04-10T22:52:00.001-07:00

Some pictures need no story...

Cadenabbia

2011-04-07T23:07:00.000-07:00

Today we went across the lake on the ferry to a funny little town called Cadenabbia. We walked up the steep hills to discover what I thought was 'another world'. It was a world filled with buildings being restored, a childrens playground filled with manequins dressed up and a little bar with caves that opened up into a garden filled with statues and a beautiful view of the mountains. A bit quirky, a bit creepy but in the end made out for 'an interesting place to visit'.

Bellagio, Italy

2011-04-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

We had a glorious walk today from San Giovanni to Bellagio, the scenery is so beautiful every step of the way and if you look closely you might just see some beautiful old iron work or the spring flowers trying to compete with the beauty of the italian ladies and the mystic mountains in the background.
After a coffee and my first leather purchase we had lunch overlooking the steep cobblestone streets that wind down to Lake Como. Another day in paradise.