Donna Hay General Store

Greetings, this was top on my list of new shops to visit while in Sydney. Conveniently just around the corner from Piggot's Store & it's grand opening only 2 weeks earlier, i spent 2 hours in here. Obviously i was shopping without an anchor (read: husband) or any distractions (read: children). With an entrance as pretty as this, you can guess that it's equally gorgeous in side too. Take a peek . . . A little something i couldn't resist even though my children can all read & write now, i will keep these for the grandchildren. The prettiest French alphabet blocks ever.

My next purchase will be 2-3 of these massive floor cushions, basically can't choose the colour. They are stuffed full of quality filling & my reasoning is that at only $139, i could barely make them cheaper.

Light fittings to die for, isn't this just gorgeous?? The fireplace matches the exposed sandstone in the stair well.

This is a classic example of what Donna does best, makes every day essentials, simply beautiful.

Oh oh oh, imagine being the lucky recipient of one of these special handmade bears. The super knowledgable staff explained that the fur is hand died & the outfits made from vintage fabrics, all in France. At around $380, they are super special & a treasured item you would keep forever . . .

I'm just going to pretend my children have these chairs in their bedrooms . . . too much fun!!

Much to my surprise after filling a bag with goodies down stairs, was this amazing corner of French toys & accessories upstairs. Simply beautiful, pristine, soft & makes you want to have more babies just so you can play with these gorgeous goodies.

Imagine this is how my children's bedroom shelving looks on any given day . . .

Yes, couldn't resist these wrappers, what prettier way to offer up a cup cake, mini quiche . . .

I have committed to red Kitchen Aid accessories in my kitchen, however, ice blue was a close 2nd.

When my husband came to collect me/ drag me out of the store, he was pleased to know i had purchased him a freshly baked brownie. No, he didn't share it. Gosh it smelt delicious.

Image your pantry looked like this . . . i can recommend the icing spatula, clever size.

Are you a Donna Hay fan/ fanatic/ wanna be?? At the next Handmade Canberra's UpMarket on Saturday 23rd May at Albert Hall . . . Donna has generously donated a raffle prize. So come along, see the awesome Julie at the entrance with the raffle & Handmade merchandise, fill in the ticket & enter. Then come over to the Posie Market Stall for some more smiles. Love Posie

Power House Museum

Greetings & welcome to school holidays, while in Sydney we took the children to the Power House Museum. Better yet, Questacon families receive free entry (yes!!) so went spent a few great hours running (my children do not walk) around this multilevel complex. I'll add as many descriptions as i can remember. I feel like it was sooo long ago i was studying all this at University. Actually this is just down the road (Broadway) from Sydney Uni. I think my little nerds know more than me now. Below is a still, fascinating.
Not sure, maybe some polymer representing something, my 2nd daughter doing her best game show case arms she could muster. Then they all started doing this . . . & sorry the image won't save the right way up!!

Space man at the shuttle display, kind of alien really . . .

This is the spinning room where the oustide moves & makes everyone tilt, funny to watch!!

There is an entire room dedicated to the old steam trains which used to chug around Sydney. I especially love this time table board, but it's missing my old line, the North Shore to Hornsby!!

These ace little children's toilet were a fantastic find & suit a big family. More discrete adult toilet for mummy next door. Didn't see anyone else using this bathroom, it was also spotless.

This was fascinating, had the children captivated for ages . . . using a computer touch screen to stop & start the train with a red or green light, turn the lights on & off in the station house, not to mention speed up the train, which of course, the children all tried to make it crash!!

Oh i wish i could bring this home, a laser cutting machine, from boxes to cardboard, excellent!!

This was especially cool, it's the Bejing Olympics pool cube, designed by an Australian. Had my little fellow in particular completely captivated. They have video interviews with the designer too!!

Cochlear ear implants, soooo clever, celebrating Australian inventions.

Sheep shearing, follow the lights & it makes clipper noises, bleats & lights up red if you go to shear in the wrong direction.

Oh i wish i could have cracked the perspex & pinched this one, isn't it lovely!!

This was fun, all the old fashioned chores little girls like mine would have had to have done not too long ago . . . & to think the tears roll now when i ask them to pick up their toys & clothes!!

Super clever, braille, so glad it showed up on the camera. They even had braille Play Boy magazine.

Old fashioned kitchen complete with bug & rodent killing tips, must have been tough housewives!!

They had this construction area for children under 6, i only had one qualifier for that age group, my 5 year old son, however, his 3 big sisters had a better time than he did. Lots to build, knock down, move around with cranes, all while wearing high visibility vests & hard hats. Too cute, well for the girls, a certain little boy is a little too obsessed about fashion to mix fluro with navy. This is on the bottom floor called Zoe's House.

So just up from Darling Harbour/ Ultimo/ Pyrmont depending on where you park, is the fabulous Power House Museum. We didn't do the Star Wars exhibition (very long queues) & resisted purchasing any Lego or merchandise from the gift shop. We do love our Lego. Love Posie

Meet Me At Mike's craft book lauch at Metropolis Book Store

Read all about it . . . something that took almost 18 months in the making so it was 'just right' is this fabulous new book from the Meet Me At Mike's queen Pip Lincolne. Pip had asked 25 of the craftiest designers to donate a project for the book, which has proven to be a fabulous collection of useful projects, for all skill levels. Packed with inspiration, tips, instructions & patterns, you'll find pretty pictures & quirky bits & pieces from each designer in there. I'm a bit shy when having my photo taken, however, i happily had 2 pictures of myself & my big sister from the earlier 80's when we were little little girls travelling the world. The book launch was at the lovely Metropolis Book Shop in Swanston Street, where designers & crafty types alike enjoyed cup cakes & chatter. Most enjoyable. The lovely Erin Lewis (of paper flower fame in the book) kindly took me in for the night. I couldn't resist taking snaps of Pip on her 'stage' & the super Jho from One Red Robin. It was a bit of craft fan fare overload actually. I'm selling the book on line & at markets, it's highly recommended by lots of magazines & people in the know, plus me!! Love Posie