Pepper is currently experiencing technical difficulties.

My mum always said, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

So I've been a bit quiet lately. I have been a bit gray. Sad, and scared and lonely. Not all the time, but sometimes all at once.

I don't want to have a ultra-sweetener blog that is always sunny. It's part of me, and right now I'm a bit gray. I thought I would just let you know that I'm still here, and I am enjoying reading your blogs and your thoughts and everyday lives. I hope you will stick with me in the gray, and soon I will return to normal multi-colour services.

x Pepper

reading alone in my fort

via starstrings, floating in the blue and booktumbling

even cuter than I imagined

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I have never made a giraffe before, so I made two from the soft woollen blankets (that are shrinking fast as I chop them to bits), with soft fur manes. These guys have no hard parts or wire or buttons to get into little mouths, so suitable for babies and small children, and they turned out even cuter than I imagined. In my store.

Next, a bird, a bear and the ballerina monster (oh I haven't forgotten him, don't worry!)

I hope your weekend is just lovely!

write love on your arm today

To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.*****To Write Love On Her Arms Day is a day where anyone can write the words love on their arms, to support those who are fighting against depression and those who are trying to recovering.

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On this day, just write love on your arms, and show it off, other people will ask why you have love written on your arms, and you tell them you are supporting to write love on her arms day, and how its benefiting a non profit organization helping stop depression, and make love the movement.

It's today. (edit: it was yesterday. Doh!)

(facebook)

feeling lost

'passive agressive' acrylic on printed plate, 2009 by Alastair Levy

“ you lost your way home, and you felt like a passenger left by the road, well I’ll tell you the reason you couldn’t get home, cos home is nowhere you’ve been and it’s nowhere you’re going, home is only a feeling you get in your mind from the people you love and travel beside, you may feel like a passenger, but now you’re the driver, you’ve got to keep travelling and travelling on, cos if you break down, it’s a cold hard shoulder , so fuel up your mind and fire up your heart , and drive on, drive on, and when your days are darker, put your foot down harder and drive on
fuel up - stornoway

(via)

Ogres.are not. like cakes.

The theme for this week's (last weeks?) My Place and Yours meme from Meet Me At Mikes is My secret weapon.

It is, a little unexpectedly even to me; animated kids movies. I love to have them on in the background as I stitch or stuff or knit. They are cheerful (mostly) funny (with adult jokes interwoven that go over kids heads) and distracting enough so that I don't get bored with counting rows, but not so distracting that I sew ears on backwards. I think from working with kids too, they remind me of simple times and they way they would laugh uproariously and repeat the best lines over and over.

Whatever it is, I started small with Shrek and Shrek 2. Now whenever I've had a glum day, I know that picking up a new one and picking up some thread will make me calm and sort me out.

I probably own more kids movies than a grown woman without children should, but I mean to have some one day, so it's an investment, right?

(and the title of this post? arguably my favourite bit of Shrek. Parfait may be the most delicious thing on the whole damn planet)

knitti gritti

Over in Melbourne there, as part of a community-based, contemporary arts and cultural festival Big West Festival, they have plans to knit an entire bridge. A whole bridge man.

If you're in Melbourne you can watch the daily progression of the Big Knit onsite at the Stockbridge during the festival and there'll be a casting-off celebration on Sat 28 November. Otherwise you can follow the progress on lovely blog Three Buttons (she'll be walking by every day) and also the Big Knit blog.

If that wasn't awesome enough, the festival is also working on an extensive guerrilla knitting campaign across the neighbourhood, with the help of hundreds of knitters.

yes. yes it is.

I like this shirt. Buy it here.

clothes from the blue of the sky

these gorgeous prints are from Freya Art & Design, via Down & Out Chic.

From her post:

Remember, there's beauty all around, sometimes it takes longer to find, but it's there. I have to remind myself, in the hardest of times that it's often my attitude that blocks the goodness being offered to me.

Precisely, Uh-huh. Love the prints, love the words.

festival love

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Newtown Festival, in My Favourite Park, Sunday 8th November

Little bit? Little bit.

Flight of the Concords paper dolls. Rock'n'Roll. You can download the template here to make your own, from Morgan Gleave Design. I do like Brett and Germaine. I think I'm a little bit in love.

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(via peppermags)

antlers away!

I thought I'd never say it, but maybe I have made enough scarves for now? Perhaps? This could be the beginning of the end for scarves, and the start of something new..

I went to the fabric store this morning *sigh* in the city, paused to wonder at christmas displays and moving puppets in the windows, had a nice train ride, and only spent 100 bucks. I have fur for monsters and rick rack to try something new, and some fine cream tulle that I couldn't go past. Monster ballerina? It could work, yes?

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(p.s.) I'm updating this guy and the others in my shop now

just bought

this book. looking forward to going home and flicking through with a cup of tea and a weekend in front of me.
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Oh yeah.

I'm a fan of yours

Dear Alcohol,

First and foremost, let me tell you that I’m a huge fan of yours.
As my friend, you always seem to be there when needed. The perfect post-work cocktail, a beer at the game, and you’re even around at the holidays (hidden inside chocolates as you warm us when we’re stuck in the midst of endless family gatherings).
However, lately I’ve been wondering about your intentions. While I want to believe that you have my best interests at heart, I feel that your influence has led to some unwise consequences:

1. Phone Calls and text messages: While I agree with you that communication is important, I question the suggestion that any conversation after 2 a.m. can have much substance or necessity. Why would you make me call my ex’s? Especially when I know, for a fact, they DO NOT want to hear from me during the day, let alone all hours of the night.

2. Eating: Now, you know I love a good meal. But, why do you suggest that I eat a taco with chili sauce along with a big Italian meatball and some stale chips (washed down with wine & topped off with a Kit Kat AFTER a few cheese curls & chili cheese fries)? I’m an eclectic eater but, I think you went too far this time.

3. Clumsiness: Unless you’re subtly trying to tell me that I need to do more yoga to improve my balance, I see NO need to hammer this issue home by causing me to fall down. It’s completely unnecessary, and the black & blue marks that appear on my body mysteriously the next day are beyond me. Similarly, it should never take me more than 45 seconds to get the front door key into the lock.

4. Furthermore: The hangovers have GOT to stop! This is getting ridiculous. I know a little penance for our previous evening’s debauchery may be in order. But, the 3 p.m. hangover immobility is completely unacceptable. My entire day is shot. I ask that if the proper precautions are taken (water, vitamin B, bread products, aspirin) prior to going to sleep/passing out (face down on the kitchen floor with a bag of popcorn or wherever). The hangover should be minimal and in no way interfere with my daily activities.

Alcohol, I have enjoyed our friendship for some years now and would like to ensure that we remain on good terms. You’ve been the invoker of great stories, the provocation for much laughter, and the needed companion when I just don’t know what to do with the extra money in my pockets.

In order to continue this friendship, I ask that you carefully review my grievances above and address them immediately. I will look for an answer no later than Friday 3 p.m. (pre happy hour) on your possible solutions. And hopefully we can continue this fruitful partnership.
Thank you,

Your Biggest Fan

(via)

Jackson vs Bean

(via)

antlers take two

A monster from last week. Sun still wasn't out, but the dining table did the trick. He'll be in the shop soon (although I was considering keeping him.. He could, you know, guard something). Do you like him?

where the magic happens..

I often have lots of ideas for posts on the fly and are too busy to post, then of course when I have a moment to sit down at home, in front of the computer with a cup of tea, I can't.think.of.a.single.thing.

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This is (another) reason I love memes. Easy, sharing something interesting, linking with other bloggers and indulging in curiousity by seeing what everyone else does too.

This week's My Place and Yours is Blog HQ, hosted by Pip. Please excuse the clutter, we have a friend staying, so everything is kind of compressed to fit the fold out couch. To the right there is the kitchen where my housemates cook dinner and chat to me at my desk. My desk, where I write posts and look at photos, spend hours reading blogs and news and watching inane clips on youtube or silly pictures of animals with captions. Yes, I am one of those people.

Speaking of silly, I find it silly that sometimes I find myself spending all day on my computer at work, then jot home so I can spend half the night on one too. Remember when they didn't exist? Whatever did we do?

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If you squint hard at this little photo, you might see the unicorn I found, the fish-with-no-name, that little turtle, Anne of Green Gables, part of a boardgame collection and a new monster waiting to go into the shop.

my sentiments exactly

via toothpaste for dinner

What the hell happened? I knew October was ending, but somehow November always creeps up and scares to crap out of me. Where has the year gone, where was I, and where do I want to be for the next one?
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And am I going to go through the pretence of making my own Christmas cards again only to procrastinate and spend the 5 days before Christmas madly sticking stars on cardboard and recklessly slashing my friend list so I am frickin' done already?

change something

via

is it a duck? is it fox? is it a bear? is it just like that dog?

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During the week I bought some old blankets from a thrift store, soft and wooly and warm, and am enjoying cutting them up and turning them into softies. I don't really know what these dudes are, but they turned out cute. Something about the thickness of them, like fur but not quite, that I find lovely. I also picked up a vintage fabric cushion cover and old pillowcases with yellow roses. I've made some other monsters too, with antlers, but today is overcast and they will have to wait for the sun to come out for photos.

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Only after I'd finished did I see that they turned out quite like some plushies made by awesome plushie maker, ninon (If you haven't seen her plushies, do go have a look, they're tremendous). I find a lot of inspiration from looking at other people's work, new faces, embroidery ideas, new ways of arranging colours and pattern making; new things to try and experiment with. I didn't mean this one to be quite.so.similar, but they do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

(ninon appearing in the WhipUp calendar)

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Do you gather ideas and techniques form other people? have you made something after seeing someone else make it? Have you ever seen something that you've inspired, and did you feel ripped off or flattered?

my bedside

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The light isn't very good which doesn't make for good photos, but I think you've seen this before; my quilt, my pile of books to read, an embroidered cushion from my sister, suitcase of fabric and flip clock that clicks in the night. Usually a pile of bobbypins, a used mug or two, my phone with an extra alarm set, just.in.case.

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For this weeks 'My Place and Yours' meme from Meet Me At Mikes. I'm enjoying peeking at what other people have by their bed, you can see more here.

via don't foget to fly

I really love this bedside.
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from HomeSweetHome

And oh my, isn't this the sweetest? I've always wanted an alcove bed like this, so darn cozy.
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I also like this bed very.much.

and this one too.

he said

(credit, via)

there's a new kid in town

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There's a new type of graffitti/urban art /guerilla knitting around these parts. Eye catching, pretty and inviting, these colour co-ordinated pieces are in my favourite park. They're made up of knitted strips, ribbons, fabrics and buttons, woven between twine on tree guards.

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I love that they surprised me and made me smile, that they brighten up the place and serve no purpose but to look pretty and maybe make people pause in the day.

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I have no idea who's behind them, but if it's you, they're lovely; and do keep it up, won't you?

more interesting to draw than ipods

illustrations by Marc Johns

eating her words

My friend Rachael has a photography blog. And photos in her flickr group. They're ace. Her photography is ace. She's ace too.

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on the shelf

from Pip's meme 'My Place and Yours' over at MeetMeAtMikes.

What's on your shelf?

say it with a cushion

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I little whiles ago I made a cushion for some friends housewarming party. I tried to sum up the house in a few words, and came up with 'hell yeah'! It was ace. The party I mean, and the cushion too. I drew up a speech bubble and improvised, and stitching the letters on the machine was easier than I expected. I meant to tell you ages ago, but you know I've been a bit sick and I'm just catching up now!

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So I improved on the prototype and created another one. hello. This one has cursive writing, a better pattern and a handle on the back for easy posing when the occasion arises, so you don't have to hold it awkwardly.

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They are big enough to be comfy and squishy, made from heavy calico so they're durable and are fully washable. They're in my store now as a custom order (with ideas for personalised text) and I plan to make some off-the-shelf ones too. My (french) housemate would like 'bon jour', and I was thinking 'sweet dreams', 'you're lovely' and 'uh-huh'.

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What words would you see on a speech-bubble cushion?

(here's the original cushion, now I feel a bit bad because they have the prototype, and perhaps I ought to replace with a better one?)

girls rule and boys drool

I don't know about sugar and spice, or that thing about snails and puppy dogs tails, but girls do rule. Last night we had a 'Girls Night In' dinner for the Breast Cancer Foundation and had a swingin' good time. Lovely lasses, loads of delicious food, wine and lots of chat and catching up and hugs. Every now and then it's just ace to gather up a dozen girls and be silly. Just ace. Plus we raised some dough for a great cause, and had a great time. Happy Breast day everyone!

Thanks so much for all your kind get-well wishes. It amazes me how much snot can come from one person, but I bet you didn't need that mental image, did you? I'm still sniffling and giving a hearty cough every now and then, but feeling much better and off to the library today and dinner with friends tonight. It's nice to come back into the world.

I like this bag

(credit via)

sniff cough splutter

via

I have not posted for a little while, I'm sorry I have missed you, too. I have been suffering from some major lack of motivation, with a side of sniffles that have just turned into a full-blown cold, with sore throat, chills, and more snot than you really want to see. (Any snot is really too much, actually. Yes.) I have been reading a lot, which is nice. And I'm sure somewhere, in the back of my brain, ideas are percolating, ready to bubble to the surface when I can breathe through both nostrils at once again. When my motivation returns along with a desire to wear something other than trackpants and t-shirts. When the sun on my skin is welcome and my idea of heaven no longer necessarily involve soft quilts in a dark room. I will be back soon.

worth it? or just a nuisance?

via

I have an ad on the sidebar there now. A sponsor, if you will. Spruiking lollipops by way of a puppet flashing his bottom. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I wish it didn't flash so much (ha! pun not intended!) but any method that can buy me more time to do what I love (and buy fabric supplies. mmm... )... Are silly ads worth it? Or just a nuisance? Sometimes when I visit a blog with lots of ads I feel it can cheapen the feel of the whole blog. And I know some people wear the 'ad-free blog' badge with pride.


How do you feel about ads on blogs? Would you put an ad on your blog? Will you still visit me and say hi if you must be affronted by an ad here and there? Or shall I take the darn thing off?

tgif, seriously

(Happy Friday everyone)

via

you had a guitar, I had a blue hat

very cute series of illustrations called Missed Connections, about, um, missed connections. I love.

via DudeCraft

steps to make a scared bunny

Step 1: As I was unlocking the door to go into the office, I saw a shape on the pavement near the busy road. You know that thing when your eyes trick you and make something look like something familar when it really isn't. It looked all the world like a bunny, crouching by the side of the road. I squinted. It was a plastic shopping bag that flew off with the breeze of a truck.


Step 2: Think that it would be interesting to make a cowering bunny plushie.




Step 3: Find an overpriced vest at a thrift-store (remember when everything was 20c?) that would do perfectly. Buy it.



Step 4: Rip vest apart at seams and lay flat. Draw a simple pattern when the fabric becomes.. temporarily indisposed.




Step 5: Cut out shapes, watch Glee and stitch. Rinse and repeat. Stuff with polyester fill and choose four old buttons to keep legs on.

Voila. Scared bunny from an old vest. I have no idea what I'm going to do with him.

I've got my eye on you

(via)

oh, I do so mush

through the park, past the joggers and on the way to the duck pond.

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I love you so mush?

oh gosh

(pictures via I-don't-remember. oops. bad form I know, but too good not to share)

antler boy

New little guy with antlers. I do like how he turned out. A mini beast, with obligatory scarf for chilly days.

show us your puppies

October is not only blogtoberfest, but Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I have found a boobie-thon. Of course. Not only that, but specifically for bloggers. I kid you not. I find this hilarious and awesome.

2009 marks the 8th Annual Blogger Boobie-Thon. Bloggers from all over the globe send in photos of their boobies (covered and uncovered) to help raise money for Breast Cancer Research. Their mission is to create a fun and lighthearted event that created awareness and raises money for breast cancer research.

In the past seven years The Boobie-thon has raised over $50,000.00, from people donating money (donaters can also see the uncovered boobies. Big perk. No pun intended)

Check out the website here. I think it's a super way to raise awareness and raise money, if you don't mind showing your covered (or uncovered! eep!) puppies. Yes, I am considering it. No I won't tell you if I do. That might be weird.

If you're not up for that level of, erhum, exposure, you can still make a donation or buy some boobie-thon merchandise in their store (including cute onesies) or visit some of the brave bloggers who have put 'em out there.

The Boobie-thon is on now, from October 1 - 7. And I don't think I've ever said 'boobies quite so much-in-a-row)

knitted lego

This adorable knitted lego man was just featured on Fight Knit Club. I think this would make the perfect toy/teddy bear for a little boy. Or me, for that matter. I can see I may have to expand my knitting repertoire to go beyond straight stitches.

"Some Assembly Required is a pattern that will enable you to make an adorable toy that can be taken apart and put together again. The head, torso, and legs are independent pieces, so you could make multiple pieces in different colours and they would be interchangeable. I’ve included a tutorial on boxes and edges so you can make nice crisp corners. The tutorial isn’t necessary to make the toy, but it may be helpful."

Pattern available from Ravelry. (Do let me know if you make one, and if it's tricky! I'm talking to you, Rolley!)

is unhappiness your muse?

(credit)

I have been nesting again, but in a different kind of way. I’ve been making things. As many as I can, which is not that many in the time leftover after working, studying, chores and living, but a few all the same. I think there’s something about creating things, something about having an idea, drawing a design, choosing fabric, stitching, stuffing, seeing it take shape under your hands. Or taking paper and drawing lines that turn into a story, or taking wool and making it solid. No matter what is going on in the world outside or all the things you cannot control, you can sit down and create. It is methodical, focusing, consoling, rewarding.

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Which got me to thinking; I create more when things aren’t easy. That’s when I retreat and focus inward. I’ve been talking to some friends who are creative in different ways and that seems to be the case for them too. My friend who is a singer/songwriter finds it harder to write when she’s happy, there’s less material and impetuous to do so. Likewise painters can be best depressed, poets in unrequited love write with fervor; is the muse for creativity unhappiness? Is happiness a too mellow state to be passionate about creating something? Or is it any strong emotion that lends itself to expression?

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What do you think? And do you create more when you are happy, or when you are sad?

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Outstanding lives, Quique the Head

what I'm up to

Watching :: 'love my way' series with my friend Zana
Reading :: slightly in denial about just finishing Jane Eyre. I didn't want it to end
Making :: having a go at little felt antlers with wire insides, for a tiny monster
Eating :: fried eggplant with dill and cheese
Feeling :: tired, cold, and a bit sickly; but also relaxed, inspired, hopeful, and happy to see my housemate back from France
Thinking :: about all the things I want to do this week; work, essay, assignment, stitching, photography submission, posting, writing.
Wondering :: how much I will actually get done
Hoping :: that this stomach ache goes away quick sticks, so I can go see my friends band rock out tonight
Hearing :: the wind in the trees, david attenboroughs voice and a purring cat
Liking :: finding lots of lovely plushie makers blogs through needle.org collaboration
Wanting :: to never think or worry about money and be able to do whatever I like most
Playing :: newton faulkners album (undecided) and with new cushion designs
Wishing :: I had a pecan caramel pie with cream right now. and that weekends were a bit longer please
Enjoying :: endless cups of tea
Coveting :: a pretty thermos to take tea to the library, and a pair of brown leather boots

a handy list for updates from MeetMeAtMikes. What are you up to?

yarn bombs away!

Woot! this morning I found the perfect spot for my first guerrilla knitting, and while a freezing wind whipped around I sewed a little sweater on a branch. I had to sew it quite high, where the branch was thinner so it could fit around, and ended up climbing the tree to reach, which made me feel very guerrilla-like indeed (if guerrillas perch in trees with sewing needles trying not to flash their undies).

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A woman came by and asked to take a photo of me for her mum, who she said loves it. I didn't think to ask her to take a photo for me too, because I was concentrating on not falling out. It was a bit thrilling, and I'm looking forward to riding past it every now and then, and starting my next one! Only thing is, I sat in chewing gum in the tree and its stuck on my skirt. Who puts chewing gum in a tree? I mean really?

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(If you're around, it's at the end of the tiny Georgina St, just off South King St Newtown)

i like you

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another mix tape finished, and I've put it up in my shop as a custom order too,

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along with the other toothy bears.

Happy Saturday!

how are you going with

a drawing a day? It's very nearly over.
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I have discovered some things:

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I like to draw things in front of me, like spaghetti sauce jars

I like to look at clouds and draw what they make me think of.

I am not very good at doing things every day.

Sometimes I can't think of anything to draw, and I get annoyed.

I like fresh textured paper

but the back of envelopes are good too.

I'd like to keep drawing.

and I really love Gemma Correll's daily diary drawing set, drawn journal entries . I might try it like this.

the red haze

Overnight the wind raged and twisted in the trees. This morning a red haze hung across the rooftops, and the light through my window glowed like a warning light and made the phrase' red sky at night, shepherd delight' worm it's way into my dreams and sit next to library books and turtles (don't ask. weird dream.).
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It covered the seat of my bike with a fine layer and got into my eyes and nose on my ride to work. It was a little surreal, and made me feel like I was in the beginning of a book. The day the red dust blew into town, and settled on every surface. The day the red dust blew into town and brought with it.... That was it exactly, it felt like a harbinger of, well something.
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By this afternoon it has cleared and pools of rust in potholes remain. The sky is clear and blue, and tonight the wind resumes, swaying and twisting in the trees.

(and this photo made the rounds today, and made me laugh!)


Have you ever had days that felt like the beginning of something, although it doesn't seem it?

80’s dating video montage

by smithy00101

A collection of creepy, strange, nerdish, lonely sweater enthusiasts vying for your love (I can't help but think that these are the kind of guys who join this club).

Somehow the Viking is the most interesting here, if only because he thought it a reasonable idea to wear a horned helmet and fur cloak on a dating video. I find myself hoping he found someone to plunder with.

things I like this week that also happen to be orange

on my way to the markets

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my favourite mug, full of tea

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everything growing so quickly as the weather warms up

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reading Jane Eyre
. my goldfish.
I don't remember his name.
It's ok, I don't think he does either.
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my pencil cup and the view from my desk
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the first mangos as the weather warms up

winner for you, winner for me

and the winner of my vintage pattern giveaway, to celebrate my 300th post (drawn lucky-dip from the teapot) is...

The super nice Kylie from 3 Sheets and Scissors & Paper Rock! Email me your address and I'll have these posted to you in a jiffy!

Sorry it's a bit late, it's been a bit hectic over here, but here we go! There's still lost of vintage patterns up in my etsy store if you missed out, for children, maternity, evening wear, well; almost everything.

In the last week I have had several lovely surprises in the mailbox (I tend to forget things, so packages are always a bit of a mystery to me, but the best kind)

I was given the gorgeous clutch and green rose earrings from Pass It On from Bec at Red Chocolate (check out that clutch! She made it herself, from the MeetMeAtMike's Craft Book!)

and I won the scrabble nerd brooch from the ace Julianne from Chasing Snails & Unique Scrapbooking. Also a prize arrived from Amelie and Atticus for my photos! (not pictured)

Thanks everyone, I love them!