Cousin's Book Part I

For Christmas, on one side of my family, we make for each other, rather than buy. It is the best idea! It is so much more fun!

This year, I made a book for my cousin with some of my favourite quotes, lyrics and verses in it.

Cousin's Book Part II

Here are the rest of the photos of the book that I made for my cousin for Christmas.

I like: Funny Things

How good is this mind map?

It is so true isn't it?

by Andy Wright & Audrey Fukman

I made: My First Gifts of 2010.

Here are two pressies I wrapped last night. The first I posted today, for a friend interstate, and the other i dropped in a friend's mailbox on my way to work. It is her birthday today, and i messaged her 'check your mailbox'. It is fun making and wrapping presents don't you think?

Also... I totally love choc-chip hot-cross buns!!! Mmm.

Mix Tape: Lovely Ladies Whose Songs I Discovered in 2009

I have been enjoying reliving some of my music from the last year. I thought I would pop on here and put up some of the splendidly talented ladies whose songs have graced my ipod.

Kate Miller-Heidke - Caught In The Crowd

Washington - How Do You Tame A Lion

Sarah Blasko - We Won't Run

Sia - Buttons

Lykke Li - Little Bit

Lisa Mitchell - Coin Laundry

Bertie Blackman - Heart

Ingrid Michaelson - The Way I Am

Kat Edmonson - Be The Change

Emiliana Torrini - Jungle Drum

Look them up and have a listen!!!!

Things I May Have Ordered Today

My only real resolution last year was to go a whole year without buying any new clothes (underwear excepted), and I made it! A whole year buying only second hand clothing, so I became well-aquainted with all my local op-shops and also with ebay! I am aiming to continue this, and to buy only new clothes from Australian-made or fair trade.

However, today I ordered a few little things that I have been looking for second hand and have been unable to find.

I can't wait to receive this package!

Christmas Part 2

This year was the second year that I decided to make my own Christmas tree. (I may or may not already know what I want to do next year..) It took me ages, but I made this year's tree from recycled cardboard packaging (from books I ordered online hee hee) and an old street directory. For gift wrapping this year, I used doilies that I found in second hand shops, old maps and sewing patterns made an appearance again too.

I cut two circles of red patterned card and slit them together to make the baubles.

My lovely grandparents. How I love them!

Little sis in the window.

Yay for home-made Christmas! It is so much fun, I love making for family.

Christmas Part 1

The week before Christmas, it is tradition that we have a Christmas pot-luck dinner. We make the invites from random bits of paper we have around... they are crazy concoctions. Ususally it is at our friends' place, but this year we had it at our place. We had amazing weather and 63 people eating tea in our back yard. It was a splendid night.

Sarah & I

Me and my littlest sis.

New Year Goals

Resolutions? Goals? Call them what you will, here are some things I am aiming towards in 2010:

- Being a good and regular pen-pal to a few of my good friends who have moved away. (Real snail mail, not the electronic variety.)

- Starting and Learning how to Blog.... guess I am on track for this one.

- Take part in a package exchange

-Have more dinner parties

- Have a stall at the local markets

- Complete my collection of Tuckfields Bird Cards (mmm this is a little nerdy yes…?)

- Make crème brulee

-Take polaroids of interesting number graphics on buildings etc.. maybe try do a count to 25?

- Build a fort. An outdoor one on the beach before summer ends and an indoor one once it cools.

- Investigate classes in either: sewing, photography or graphic design.

I also have lots of movies, lots of books, some musicians to see and lots of recipes I want to try also. I know that with the three jobs I will be working this year, as well as full-time study, it may be hard to keep up some creativity. But I am optimistic. :-)

I Saw

Tonight me and a few gals went to see the movie "Bright Star". It was a lovely film. I love movies set in this era: the wooden furniture, the houses, the paper and ink. I sometimes wonder if I was born in the wrong era. My favourite character was Fanny's little sister 'Toots', she was a delight.

I like:

I have recently become a fan of pretty tapes. Here are a few lovelies I found on etsy:

uguisu

pretty tape

prettytape

Pretty Picture

Isn't this picture lovely and happy in a melancholy way? By Dejvicka