Out and About

Such a splendid, happy face. But, I'm wondering if that is botched Botox?

With no plans, we just happened upon Luna Park tonight - just to walk through, no rides, just walking.

Took a few goes, but I finally got this shot.

Mini Empire State Building x 2? Great light and clouds tonight.

Looking for the princess in the tower.

A Sojourn

This week I went with my sister for a little day trip to the Southern Highlands. We stopped at Mittagong firstly and perused the local antique and quilt shops. We then headed for Bowral in the most casual of fashions - after all, we were sans husbands and childrens! So to some lunch at Elephant Boy and then a meander along Bong Bong Street. We found the very gorgeous My Place, spent quite some time admiring fabrics and beautiful things until we realised that time was really getting away from us and we needed to cover more ground.

Our last stop of the day was Peppergreen Antiques. Even after numerous visits to this amazing store, I am still very overwhelmed by it. It is an antique store with department store proportions. Huger than huge. I delight in the extensive haberdashery collections, the linen - sheets, pillowcases, tablecloths, that cover a huge space, the teacups, the cutlery, the jewel, the vintage magazines. The above photos are from there.

A Few Of My Favourire Things

A small bark cloth tablecloth with big blowsy red roses and a big aqua coloured border. Treasured.

Granny Catherine's (Pete's Granny) old glass butter dish filled with many different vintage buttons. I love old buttons - glass ones, Bakelite one and even plain old plastic ones.





Some vintage belt buckles collected over the years. Just collecting for that one day that I have a special project in mind.




These David Austen roses are for my special friend Lindy (and Mark, her hubby). Today is the anniversary of the loss of their precious baby girl - Isabella Jane - who died 13 weeks after being born full term, 4 years ago today.

Dolly Bangles

I used to call myself Dolly Bangles when I was little. But more often I would call myself, Choccy Bangles Football Froggy Watermelon Iceblock! I'm thinking that they must have been my favourite things. Not sure about that Football though - still not a fan. I'm still known to many by this name today, in all different forms. My little nephews - Noah and Oskar, just call me Choc. I dare not say that name in this house though, as Phoebe wants the real thing when she hears it!

Recently I thought I should make some real dolly clothes for Phoebe's often naked dolly. I was so excited when I found this great, real doll clothes pattern from the Simplicity archives. I couldn't resist this cute, sheet like, Japanese fabric from Spotlight, that just screamed - "make me into a cute 1940's dolly dress, now!" So I did. And here it is. No midriff showing tops on dolly in this house!

Now, back to my name, maybe I might modify it to my current favourite things. How about, Choccy Bangles Pale Pink Peony Fabric Frou Frou Vintage Crafting Summer Mama?