Just Like Martha

Where has the week gone...crafty catch up!

Wow, Friday already, how did that happen?

In amongst all the usual stuff I managed to do a little creating....

A few Birthday cards...

 
 
 

 

 

And a new baby to welcome.....

 

with presents to match (of course!!)

 

And lets not forget the "BIG BROTHER" present...

 

Looking forward to a lovely weekend, I hope this weather holds its been a beautiful few days here in Sydney. We are off to a "Chrsitmas in July" celebration tomorrow night and I am making lots of chocolate treats....more on that later!

Happy Friday night everyone x

To Market to Market to buy.....

After a VERY wet week in Sydney the sun tried to come out to play today...we were up and out early to visit Sydney Markets at Flemington for some fresh produce. I used to visit the flower markets on a regular basis but its been some time and I don't think the girls have ever been...I forgot the feeling of walking into thousands upon thousands of stunning (and cheap) flowers...and the buzz as wholesalers, shop owners and individuals like us shop side by side. The sellers share a joke and a smile, its a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning, but be warned its hard to stop at just a few bunches!

 
 
 

Finally settled on some roses and at just $5 per bunch we not only boht some for family room but Taylor and Lilly scored with some for each of their bedrooms!

Then it was off to another hall for some fresh produce, wow, reminded us so much of our beloved Rustys Markets in Cairns where we shopped for fresh produce on a weekly basis when we lived there.

 
 
 
 

Couldn't resist taking a photo of these lettuce - how cute are they? And what about these mushrooms...amazing!

 

We filled our bags with loads of fresh herbs ($2 a HUGE bunch), a box of advocados ($10), rockmelons (Taylor was sooo excited, 3 for $5), a pineapple from Mareeba in Cairns ($2), rhuburb ($3), large box of Pink Lady apples (again squeals of delight from the girls $8 for the entire box so there were also squeals of delight from me!), fennel bulbs (3 for $1)....there were plenty more bargains at one stage we couldn't carry anything more and needed a trolley!

 

The stall holders are divine, some like this beautiful Italian lady have been selling their produce for many, many years...and they are still smiling!

So, the rest of the day was spent cooking and 'playing with all our wonderful finds.

 

Our afternoon cooking saw us produce Fennel soup, Spinach pie, Fresh tomato sauce, Pesto, stewed Rhuburb and a yummy Orange and Chocolate cake, not a bad effort! Plus our fridge is full of yummy fresh produce for the weeks ahead.

Yep, not a bad effort at all and definitely something we plan to do on a more regular basis!

 

 

Shadow Shot Sunday and the school holidays finish!

We are having a lazy Sunday afternoon, the reality that school goes back tomorrow has hit everyone and as the girls get themesleves organised for another busy term I am contemplating an endless term of school lunches and "mum's taxi".....(insert sigh!)

It has been a very wet, cold and altogether miserable last weekend of the holidays, lucky we were out and about last Sunday. We jumped on the Manly ferry last weekend and spent the day exploring and playing 'tourist' close to home.

 

First stop on our adventure was the Sydney Rocks area and my well trained 'spotters' discovered the first of many shadows for the day. It has been ages since we wandered through the Rocks area, the weekend markets were on so it was a very pleasant (but oh so cold) stroll...then it was off to find a nice, warm and cozy spot to have some morning tea.

 

After a stroll through the new Westfield (well new to us we hadn't been...must say the new ZARA store was VERY nice...might wander back there one day when I can have a really good look! There were many bargains to be had but we showed great restaint only walking away with a few bags!!!

After a picnic lunch in Hyde Park and a wander through Sydney City Library to see an amazing photgraphic exhibition we found ourselves in the Botanical Gardens and there were plenty of shadows to be found!

 

 

Hmmm I did say we did a little shopping and YES Taylor is taller than me now!

 

There were lots of Cockatoos, they are such characters....

 

Some cheekier than others...this one wasn't going to share this water fountain with anyone!

Happy Shadow Shot Sunday to everyone, make sure you visit Tracy and see what the fellow shadow chasers from all over the world have been up to this week.

Op Shop Finds and some repurposing to share!

Hello, playing along with Sophie this week with more wonderful Op Shop Finds and as promised a peek at the 'repurposing' that has been happening.

 

A recent trip to Salvos found me some more vintage sheeting, a bag of buttons for 50c (bargain), some vintage lace and a few more doillies (yes I am obsessed!). I recently purchased a BRAND NEW sewing machine (never been out of the box) for an absolute steal for $50 so the sheetng will come in handy for a few projects I have in mind (more on that later). I have been inspired by the wonderful Mardi and her latest creations as well as the cute pillows in the first issue of Etzcetera.

But for now, I have been content making lots of these...

 

I LOVE, LOVE the thought of breathing new life into old china, especially the mish mash of stuff that doesn't match but somehow just goes together (oh and of course it is heaps of fun finding and visiting Op shops)...

 

I have decided to sell my "Vintage candle tea-cups".....hmmm tricky to post, but I have had lots of local orders and will definitely include them in future Christmas Shops at my home.

There has been a lot of dying going on in my home to breathe new life into old and stained doillies...

 

I love the colours don't you?

 

I have been using these wonderful creations on lots of cards but I think my favourite way to use them is to help jazz up a pressie, after all its ALL in the presentation! I am looking forward to including them on my sewing creations...check out another cool idea here Sarah and Lisa have been busy creating...might definitely have to make some of these!

 

 

More to share next week, scored some major finds today in my 'hunting', can't wait to share but its got very chilly all of a sudden think its time to put he heater on and think about dinner! Bye for now, thanks for stopping by xxx

Shadow Shot Sunday

I have dived into my archives this week for a shadow shot to share!

 
Image source: Mum and Dad (thanks for sharing)

Introducing "Junior" who lives close to my parents house and visits every day for his 'treat' and a cuddle...yep that's right he has been visiting for such a long time that they can handle him...and he produces a pretty cool shadow too!

 

To see what other shadowchasers have been up to don't forget to visit Tracy.

Chocolates and Treats - all wrapped and ready to go!

A friend of mine has an open house every few months with her business called "Shoperfrolics" ....must say popping into a lovely home filled with lots of goodies for sale is a wonderful way to shop! She asked me to package up some of my yummy treats and chocolates to sell...

 

Its all about the packaging and I LOVE to package up my treats, this time I opted for a more vintage feel using white boxes as my base...what do you think?

 
 
 

I am loving my "repurposed" Op Shop finds...more on that next week!

This morning I thought we were in for a change in weather, it has been chilly and wet here in Sydney for most of the week..but alas,more rain today....fingers corssed it clears for the weekend. Enjoy xx