Little Picnic

I am pretty excited to be involved in a new project aiming to bring some very fun children's parties to my neck of the woods. I will be making little knick knacks, party favors, games and pinatas which will be there on the day to add and adorn each Little Picnic. You can have a look at my shop to see the first installment, or follow the link from their page. There is lots to come so hold on to your hats!

Baby Elephant

Uncle Tully helped deliver a new baby Elephant at the zoo last night, aw look how sweet it is. Well done everyone.

Late again

 A koala in our back yard taken by my brother after climbing up the tank stand to get some face time, we were waiting for it to spring and attach him self to him like a balaclava, it didn't happen.

 A tent I made the boys for Christmas which promptly blew over 

The wizard exploring the beach boxes

Our go to craft activity, fox faces from egg cartons, so much fun.

It is mid january and we are a few days back from our holiday and already neck deep in the year. I should have something pithy to say about 2013 but I think I am happy to see how it unfolds, I think it is going to be a good one. We had a great holiday, lots of beach time eating, playing, visiting,wild animals including three koalas,  dancing, singing and more eating. Here are a few photos.

Live to Air

Last night my boyfriend and I went to RRR, our local community radio station and saw the most amazing band, ESG, play live to Air. It was fantastic. Self taught musicians playing such minimal electro/ disco/ punk/ funk music. It felt like they were all a button on an MPC each with their function but so much more than the machine could ever be.  I won't wax lyrical as I don't really know what I am taking about but go see them if you can or listen to the live to air here. You may hear us clapping!

Northcote Christmas lights

Last night I got my three year old out of bed and into the car gave him his first ever glow stick and drove him down the road to see the Northcote christmas lights. It was beyond amazing, he couldn't believe his eyes and neither could I.  You can walk around the front yard engulfed in flashing bulbs and inflatable nativity scenes.
Go, if you are anywhere nearby it is a sight to behold. On the way home he said, " If I see another school of fairy lights we should, stop the car undo our belts and run and see them." I asked why he called them a school of fairy lights and he said "that is what you call fishes."True enough. I didn't take my camera so here are some photos I found on The age web site. He went to sleep by the blue light of his glow stick two hours later than usual but it literally took his breath away.

Christmas decoration a-go-go

Pram tree

The finished product

Wintery snow dome 

Any sort of holding back that I managed to do at Halloween has gone out the window as Christmas approches. The other weekend it was in the high 30c and one of those days you have to shut the blinds when you get up and scurry around as much as you can before 10 am, and then spend the rest of the day hiding from the heat. We went to Gymnastics class and bounced on trampolines and balanced on the beam then we walked back home and the two boys and I went and bought a Christmas tree, tied it on to the pram and pushed it home. I had visions of it looking so  sweet I could take a picture and make it into a Christmas card but they screamed the whole way and once I finally wrestled the thing inside I was almost finished. Anyhow we recovered and spent the whole day decorating the tree and listening to a fantastic new Christmas mix from our friend. We made this sweet little snow dome with glitter and a bear, a wreath, and painted some clay doh decorations for the tree. It was really fun. I like the Australian mix of Northern winter/ Southern Summer that is Christmas here, it is funny explaining what snow is as the sun beats down outside.

Shop

It was a fun day selling my books and things today thanks so much to everyone that came and supported me I really appreciate it. And thanks to Smiley Mcslidey for having us as well.

Christmas Pop Up Shop

This Saturday I will be selling my Alphabet book and Posters and a selection of cards and some other nick knacks at Smiley Mcslidey Studio on the corner of Nicholson st and Blyth St in Brunswick East, come along tick off some of that christmas shopping list.

Sunday Morning

I am super excited as I am about to sign a lease on a studio space which hopefully means upping the ante on my production levels and making some brand new stuff soon. There are lots of interesting people sharing the space and one of them, Sunday Morning Designs has an excellent pop up shop between now and Christmas eve, go and check it out!

Sleeping in the whale

We found an amazing palm tree stalk and took it home. It has been a boat, a surfboard, a picnic spot and a "giant smiling whale to sleep in". I think it may just be the best toy ever. This is my three year old curled up inside it just to give some scale perspective.