some Handmade action on the weekend

Greetings all,
When the experts suggest you have a 'showstopper' product on your market stall, this is what they are talking about!!

 Torunn from Herbert & Friends is everything that is good & clever about felt & softie perfection.

 So weird to be at Handmade Market as a shopper not a stall holder.

 I caught up with friends - Sarah from Gifts Created, she gave each of my children a moustache.  They have been playing with them & putting on accents ever since!!  Thanks Sarah!!

 Stacey from Anastasia de Grave designs is back, with a new beautiful baby boy too.  I was too busy chatting to some ladies, i didn't even photograph their products.  Next time ladies!!

 My total favourite from Shop Handmade had a stall too, Fiona from The Endless Yarn.  Always keen to support a fellow mother of 4 (all boys).

 My son used his own Christmas cash to adopt a crochet baby for Mr & Mrs Love Monster at home, more on that later, no kidding, on Sunday night, he reinacted Mrs Love giving birth!!  It deserves a post of it's own.  Bumped into a school mum while at Endless Yarn, between us we bought 7 Love Monsters in 5 minutes!! 

 Miss Haidee, she is a twin & total sweetheart!!  Tasmanian of course!! 

 We went bonkers at HeartFelt, look at these finger puppets!!  Much more wrapped up under the Christmas tree.

 Met the lovely Kate from Please Eloise & Eva Grace Designs, adorable lady, as expected.

 Back in the car we sampled the cup cakes from A Moment on the Lips . . . & nose . . .

 on our way to the Old Bus Depot Markets to see my gal pal Emma Kidson.

 She has split her business & rebranded to Japonicity for her amazing range of Japanese inspired designs & Kidson Jewellery for her custom design work (wedding rings etc).  I love it all & have most of her range too!!

 Emma has just had a blinder of a Christmas season, yay, & will have the major bathroom renovation to show for it.  She's the real deal, honours degree in her field & scholorships + awards.  Yes, huge fan!!

 Emma lives in Wagga & stocks the Paper Pear Gallery (i'm going to visit in the new year) or you can find her stunning jewellery at Hive Gallery in Braddon (i've done a lot of Christmas shopping in there this year) & the National Portrait Gallery Canberra.  There is currently a wonderful Impression Exhibition on at the moment with Streeton, McCubbin & Roberts (remember those names from Art History in high school??) 

I actually felt really Ok about not showing this market, my hands have never been so bruised & sore, there was no way i could carry or serve or sew or smile in that pain!!  Love Posie
PS all giveaway winners for Donna Hay & IKEA competitions will be announced a.s.a.p.

the calm, after the storm . . .

Greetings all,

Quite the tumultuous week & now the calm.  I'm a talker, my husband is not, he used to say "you don't have to externalise every single thought" but it's how i roll.  Blogger beware!!  Saves a lot of baggage too.  I tell him exactly how i feel, no games, no faking, just raw honesty.  90% of the time i'm coping brilliantly but with end-of-school children who are tired & emotional, i'm exhausted & my aching hands are plain annoying, we're not ourselves.   

After a teary late night phone call from Afghanistan, talking about Christmas apart, selling an investment property & buying a farm . . . i came home from Athletics this morning to this on my door step. 

 Eric from DesignABunch (the stunningly good florist next door to Shop Handmade in Canberra City) called to say he had just left flowers & i passed him in my street, big waves & smiles!!

 The card was so beautiful, to think a tough soldier can phone in from a war zone, such beautiful words for a florist to relay . . . i truly married a special, thoughtful guy.  I don't like mushy romance, to have my husband sitting with me beats all the views in Paris, dinners in Italy & resorts in Singapore.

 Christmas flower arrangments are now sorted, look at those glorious long stem roses.

 Look at that red velvety goodness, i'm so lucky!!

So here is to cruising into the last week before Christmas with rested happy children & mother.  I close my Shop in 5 days, some huge savings in there people, up to 60% off including Christmas table accessories & stocking fillers.  I've removed all the 'sold out' items weekly to make it even easier to shop.  It's a serious sale, i'm closing my entire business down (after 11 years) in Easter 2012, with a massive remnant sale in February when school resumes.   

Don't miss out on the Donna Hay & IKEA GIVEAWAYS on my side bar, both close tomorrow night. Good luck folks, i hope you're as lucky as me, love Posie

things i'm loving . . . 'treats & goodness'

Greetings all,

I've possibly cried more this week than ever, i really miss my husband.  All this festive  'family' orientated vibe only reminds me of who will be absent at the Christmas table this year - my Mummy's Alzheimer's has stolen her away & my husband will be overseas.  I'm just focussing on the children & riding their new shiney bikes!!  If you get the chance to see the New Year's Eve movie, it's great, but think of me when you follow Halle Berry's story (to the end)!! 

I'm taking time to treat myself, facials, massages, walking away from passive aggressive mums . . . stop messing with me, i know better!!  My hands are sore but i'm stocking up on fabrics for future projects - Lotta Jansdotter - you are about to be quilted, hexagons i think, later this Summer.

 I needed new tongs (read: i loathe our tongs, they jam closed) & was thrilled to pick up these beauties for $3 at the supermarket!!  Little things make me happy. 

 While my car is having a major service, it was cheaper to hire a car than get a cab home, so i've been enjoying this new Mitsubishi Outlander, i like it!!

 Loving the extra pretty stationery at Kikki-K & their 25% off days . . .

 & 15% off at Peter Alexander, come on, Babushka pyjamas, as if i could resist!!

 It's official, i'm collecting pears.

 Reading in bed, using her glasses just like she's meant to.

 Ending my evenings with candles & calm.

So PaisleyJade, that is what I'm Loving this week.  You can find those candle paper bags here & if you're into IKEA toys or love baking with Donna Hay, check out my current giveaways below.  Love Posie

wordless Wednesday . . . 'first glasses'

Greetings all,
My littlest girl picked up her reading glasses on the weekend.  

 She's smiling now, my darling quirky one, wearing them at school to read & at home to sew.

I'm so proud she's coping so beautifully with being the only child in the family to need glasses.  She even wore her Converse sneakers to match her new cool frames.  For Wordless Wednesdays, check out Faith Hope & a Whole Lotta Love.  Love Posie 

IKEA Christmas niceness & GIVEAWAY

Greetings all,

While you're wrapping up your toy Christmas shopping this silly season . . . did you know IKEA is 'giving twice' this Christmas??    

 These IKEA colourful & quirky soft toys help make a difference to children in need - they are the perfect stocking filler & every toy purchased between 1st November to Christmas Eve - the IKEA Foundation will donate $1.40 to UNICEF & Save the Children in underprivileged countries, access to vaccinations, clean water, sanitation, education & protection. 

This season they have released a CIRKUS themed collection of finger puppets clowns, animal softies & musical mice, who are fond of play & mischief.  They are safe, colourful & easy to wash.  Since 2003 Ikea's annual Soft Toys for Education campaign has raised over €35.2million, helping more than 8 million children in over 40 countries.

This year's target is €12million, to empower children in need.  Log onto IKEA FB page fans can send virtual toys with Christmas messages. 

Want to win all the toys pictured on this post??  Keep them for your children, share them with family, neighbours, friends or donate them to your favourite charity, just enjoy the happiness they will bring!!  Valued at over $25, just follow this blog & leave a comment at this post, winner randomly drawn on Sunday 18th December at 9p.m.  Good luck!!  Happy shopping & Allen key twirling with IKEA this Christmas.  Love Posie
Disclaimer: i wasn't paid in toys, favours or cash for this post, just happily spreading good news i believe in.

Donna Hay Molten Chocolate Chunk Brownie mix & Christmas magazine GIVEAWAY

Greetings all,

Are you ready to lick your lips & whip up some delicious chocolate desserts??  Donna Hay has put her glamour & Oprah approved style into the simple 'packet mix' with a completely decadent Flourless Chocolate Truffle Cake.  Mmmm . . . watch & learn people.

 All you need is 185gm of unsalted butter & 4 eggs. 

 Happy eggs from my sister's chickens.

 Melt, combine, mix & bake, so simple!! 

 We added a buttery chocolate icing, but you could have left the cake naked or with a dusting of icing sugar.  I've had the white Donna hay icing spatular for years, it is foolproof-fantastic!!

 The children watched like vultures, then enjoyed a delicious slither of this stunningly yummy cake!!

 Fruit cancels cake calories right??  This new Truffle cake mix is in stores & supermarkets now, i was sent one to trial.  Thanks Donna!!

 Now it's your turn - want to try the Donna Hay Molten Chocolate Chunk Brownie mix & win a copy of the latest issue of her brilliant magazine - the coveted Christmas issue??!!

 More mmmm . . . crumbled up brownie with gooey chocolate, i made them in Donna's pleated cake wrappers for school recess tomorrow & simple portion control, it's so easy to eat an entire slab of brownie when you slice it up, then some more & another nibble . . . 

 Just follow this blog & leave a comment here.  6 prizes - 2 x Brownie mix + Christmas magazine, 2 x Brownie mix, & 2 x Christmas magazine - let me know which you'd prefer!!  Australian delivery addresses only for the food mixes.  Winners drawn Sunday 18th December at 9p.m. 

Want to increase your chances to win??  Mention this giveaway on your blog, FB, Twitter for an extra entry, or blog about your favourite Donna Hay recipe & products for 5 bonus entries!!
Have you seen her beautiful range for Royal Doulton??  I just ordered some pieces - perfect for entertaining.  Donna has some fantastic offers in her 12 Days of Christmas specials, i just scored a complimentary footed colander, it's gorgeous & such a clever design.  Share the love, good luck, love Posie
EDIT: Not a fan of packet mixes??  These amazing, trust Donna!!  Yes we all love baking from scratch but sometimes all you have is the butter & eggs, you've run out of flour, sugar, chocolate . . . & have an emergency bake sale or craving for something delicious!!

like my parents always said "the joy of Christmas is watching children play & feeling lucky you have them!!"

Greetings all,

I had a charmed childhood, i was truly lucky & knew nothing of unhappiness or wanting for anything - toys, travel, love, siblings, pets, friends - shockingly, we weren't spoilt brats, as good manners & appreciation was top of my parent's list of priorities.  My parents were born in the Depression & instilled in us, if you have children, you make them feel so wanted & give them the best you can offer, if only your love, time & energy as sometimes that is all you have.  Hell yeah, been there!! 

Christmas can be a mass consumer explosion if you let it.  We've lived on a tight budget for a long time & i don't think my children even realise we give them clothes & things they need as 'gifts'.  Trust me when i say they needed the new bikes - it's freedom & adventure.  I like the basics, the outdoors . . . do trampolines ever disappoint??

 We went to Bowral on the weekend to visit my sister for an early Christmas.  It has certainly taken the edge off Christmas day for me, i've seen some family & while it's another Christmas with my husband away at war, we can still have a typical Australian Summer of fun. 

 Those Australian Summers also include severe thunder storms!!

 Not that it made any difference to the children - look at that rain!! 

 They had a huge seven-cousin-spa to warm up, then we opened presents.  Fantastic - the entire Harry Potter book & DVD set.  My darling boy started reading the first book in the car trip home (my children are keen readers, my husband is a voracious reader too, good for them, i'd rather be sewing!!)   

 I forced my children to surrender my sister's new pussy cat - her husband found this darling little creature at a work site, why are people so unkind, to animals??   This cat has won the lottery with my sister's 3 gentle animal loving children & kudos to my tough brother-in-law with his marshmellow centre.

 Loving the new tyres on my 4WD as it poured the whole 400km trip.  I knew it wasn't good when i saw an ambulance, then rescue truck, then police cars, then this mess - you can just see the blue sign, it says 'stop, revive, survive' in front of a car wrapped around a tree.  It was a timely reminder how lucky we are to be alive.  Full stop.   

So grim.  No point pretending bad things don't happen (we're realistic with my husband's line of work) so i used it as a lesson in defensive driving for my eldest, who will be on the road in a few short years.  There are constant fears & hurdles to overcome with your children, driving has to be one of the biggest.  In the meantime, very much embracing the joy of watching my children play & feeling so so lucky i have them this Christmas.  Love Posie