craftjuice

photo tagged! my favourite photo

Jacqui tagged me to show my favourite photo (via fatmumslim).  Without hesitation, this is one of my favourite photos ever.

It's my dad. And it says everything about him!  He's handy. He's hard working. He's hilarious.  This was taken a few years ago when he was cutting down and mulching some of the tree in my mum and dad's backyard, hence the safety ear muffs.  I said 'smile!' and this is the first thing he did. To make himself like a beaver!

It makes me laugh out loud every time I look at it.

I love you so much dad!

(And now you know where I come from...)

happy 4th wedding anniversary!

faffing about

I was just about to rush off and start photographing some new fabric I've received recently from the fabulous and most generous Jacqui at MeeABee as well as an amazing Japanese craftbook inspired by children's story books.

But Mr B has gone to the US and taken my happy snapper with him!

This is slightly more distressing than I first thought. I love sharing my pictures and taking them too. Trying new things and 'taking a few chances' with some crazy angles!  I have found it lovely to be able to document my day and the things that make me smile. And especially to document the things I make and share them with people who like that sort of thing too.

So, you're just going to have to wait and see. Perhaps between now and then I'll squeeze in a project from the book so I've really got something to share!

But as luck would have it, I have some images of some lovely corduroy (I've been on a corduroy bender lately)  I recently bought from Leslie in her sell out sale to add to my stash...

Such good-ness.  She's emptying her shop on Tuesday (that's tomorrow) so get in quick for a 50% off bargain!

Oh dear...while I was just linking to that, I accidentally bought these...

But really, how could you not.

good friday morning

Zeb and Max are enjoying the early morning sun in the lounge...what a lovely way to spend a Good Friday morning...

Zebbie is dreaming about hot cross buns...I can tell...

malaysia corner

Today was yum cha day. And it's always when you're super hungry (after all, yum cha preparation requires 'preparation' from 6pm the night before to make room for you to eat your body weight in dumplings and rice noodles) and your taste buds have pre-prepared to receive the flavours of a particular cuisine (especially yum cha), that it all goes wrong.

Over a year ago (it might even be two) our very favourite yum cha restaurant burnt down. And yes, apparently it did have something to do with an overenthusiastic wok.  It was the best ever. Efficient, tasty, appeared healthy and clean, with a plentiful supply of jasmine tea and BBQ pork buns. I once was seated at a very large table still with the spoils of the last feast intact - endless bowls, chopsticks, steamers and the tablecloth painted with chilli and soy. In five seconds flat, the corners were drawn up all together at once, bundling the remains away to the kitchen and new bowls, chopsticks and a crispy white tablecloth were all juggled into place. I've always wanted to do that at home. It was enormous (by suburban standards), probably easily seating 200 hungry yum cha enthusiasts. Red and wood paneled walls lit with chandeleirs, and a healthy smattering of Christmas decorations around an abundance of good feng sui mirrors all year 'round. 

Today we concurred that surely it was back by now and we'd meet my mum and dad there in 15 minutes.

Sadly, it had turned into a tea house and mini photo booth shop.

So off we went over to the 'other' yum cha across the road only to find at 11am, a line up that would take us over an hour to navigate to a table.  Miss M says "Dinner nooooow".  We agreed and trotted back across the road to a local Malaysian called Malaysian Corner (at Market Square for those of you local).

Superb. 

Hainam Chicken, Lamb Roti, Laska, Spring Rolls, Noodles, Deep Fried Tofu.  Yum.

And now I have a two year old child high on that red sauce containing every additive known to man that comes with the spring rolls.  But geez it was good...

morning at the planetarium

This morning we once again trekked to the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens to take Miss M to her first ever planetarium show.  We explained it was a very special movie, so naturally she requested to take popcorn along.  I thought it might be a bit overwhelming for her, but as always, she took it in her stride and was thoroughly involved. Loved it.  There is another kids show on during the school holidays in a few weeks time, so we'll take her back for another go!

We then sat by the garden lake and enjoyed a quick picnic lunch (Miss M tried ginger beer for the first time - her verdict? "Deee-licious!").  She and Mr B walked over to the jetty to feed the ducks and turtles, which is always great fun.

Another great morning out on a beautiful weekend.

tagged!

Jacqui tagged me to list seven things I love...here's what I love today...

1. This fabric from Leslie (oh wow, she's going home!)

2. Reading my Frankie magazine on the bus to and from work.

3. That it was a bit cooler this morning...bring on Winter!

4. The support of my friends (which today included a lemon tart and flat white) and sharing of the load.

5. The possibilities of a new haircut...maybe...(wasn't I growing it?)

6. A kiss on each cheek from Miss M goodnight.

7. Watching Mr B getting increasingly excited about his trip.

I'd like to tag some crafty ladies who recently were so encouraging and lovely and left their comment!
Susan, Eileen, Beatrix ... and maybe ... even ... Kaz...?

skywalkers

Yesterday (Saturday) we embarked on a family outing to the new Mt Tamborine Rainforest SkyWalk! What better way to spend a morning than wrestling your two year old through the canopies of the rainforest 30m up in the air...

The SkyWalk is essentially a very large (and sturdy) catwalk that snaked it's way through a large part of a private rainforest property leading to some really lovely rainforest walks, butterfly observation areas, waterfalls and just lovely surrounds full of birdsong. Just the thing for a Saturday morning. 

Miss M loved the detail of it all, picking up palm seeds and leaves (and putting them down mummy's shirt), watching the waterfall (very interested dad's explanation of chaos theory to explain the way the water flows), hiding in trees, swinging like a monkey on the vines and of course, watching out for the Angry Troll from Dora the Explorer across the bridges!!! Her reward was an iced chocolate at the cafe.

It was a great morning out! We should do more of it.

(See the photo album of our visit here on Facebook)

girly girls

Here's a lovely way to spend a rainy Friday afternoon...asleep in mummy's big bed (shhh...don't tell daddy).

Miss M has been having a busy morning visiting the hair salon for her first ever 'proper' haircut. I've always just hacked into her fringe, but the lovely Amy made it all better.  She loved the whole experience - climbing up excitedly into the big comfy chair - having it pumped up to the right height - spraying her own hair with the spray bottle - staying completely still while her fringe (bangs) was cut. I was so proud!

And here's another two gorgeous little girls...

The one on the left, cowgirl style, happens to be my mum Miss S. The queen of hearts on the right is my aunty, Miss F.  This is one of my most favourite photos ever.

(I don't know why, but just looking at this photo makes me itch...)

coming up for fresh air

Today we spent the morning at Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens. Every year we go and celebrate the birthday of the Japanese garden there. Ironically, Japanese gardens are supposed to be very peaceful, contemplative places, however on this special day, of course there are 100+ people there.  But it was still very lovely and we enjoyed seeing tea ceremony and some ikebana displays.

I love ikebana. When I was last in Japan, I bought everything I needed. Even a great pocket book which beautifully and elegantly explained the history, philosophy and instruction of this art form which I read and read and read. Of course, when I returned home, my obsessive fad wore off and I think I attempted it only twice since, but its all ready for me when my need to create microlandscapes or homages to nature kicks back in.

You can see we had a great time this morning. Miss M loves running about. And running and running and running.....away.  So we told her the troll from Dora would jump out at her if she ran away from us (bad parents!) and from then on she wasn't more than a few steps away.  She enjoyed all the garden sculpture, the wild life (except when the water dragon jumped out at her on the walkway!) and the plants, as did we. It's always a lovely morning out.

She was rewarded at the end of our visit with two mini cupcakes with rosewater icing we made yesterday. And she slept in the car all the way home.