Just Like Martha

Shadow Shot Sunday (finally)

Sunday, the day that shadow chasers all over the world come together.....make sure you visit Tracy to see what everyone has been up to.

  
Last week I went for a beautiful walk to Shelly Beach, Manly and back..there were lots of shadows about and luckily I had my trusty camera with me...

 
 
 
 

There are a series of these wonderful scupltures along the walk depicting sea creatures I love that they kinda tell a story as you wander along the waters edge.

 
 

Shelly Beach is aptly named, the beach has thousand of these tiny little shells...

 

And it is famous for this wonderful restaurant...

 

Thanks for joining me on my Shadow Shot Sunday, wherever you are visiting from hope your Sunday is a happy one!

 

 

End of week crafty catchup

What a miserable day it has been here in Sydney - cold (very cold), wet and windy! Sadly we have to brave the elements tonight, Lilly is playing water polo (brrrrr) I am looking forward to coming home for a hot chocolate and my winter jammies (sorry Lilly, I really DO want to see you play).

Here is some of the crafting I managed during the week...

 

Fathers Day is just around the corner...a few Birthday cards..

 
 
 

A "Get Well" present wrapped and ready to give...

 

And finally the little baby I blogged about here is still battling...BUT...little Jack is now 1kg!! Definitely worth celebrating, plus he'll need a new little beanie now that he has grown...

 

That's all for me for tonight, if you live in Sydney keep warm and stay out of the miserable weather.(and think of me at the water polo!)..happy weekend everyone!

Op Shop Finds

Not much time for op shopping this week but I did manage a quick visit to a favourite local haunt and 'unearth' a few treasures...

 

A wonderful vintage atlas for my growing 'map' addiction, some music scores, a couple of old books (a girl can never have enough of these in her stash!) and some pretty saucers to add to my growing teacup and saucer candle collection.

I am playing along this week with Sophie and Apron Thrift Girl head on over to see what discoveries have been made this week in the world of "Op Shopping".

My collection of old frames from various thrift shops is coming together nicely. For ages we have wondered what to do with a blank wall in our house...a collection of old and tattered frames in all shapes and sizes was the answer! A few cans of white gloss spray paint and various travel and holiday photos has created a wall of memories...and no more blank wall!

 

Back tomorrow to share some card crafting...bye for now x
 

Map - og - raphy

Recently I found an old dusty atlas in a 'op shop' and of course it had to come home with me. It has been sitting in my creative space taunting me until I made this present!

It has certainly got my creative juices flowing, I am not sure where to start...perhaps I could make these wonderful framed creations...

 
Image source: Google images

Design sponge has a great tutorial on how to recycle map into a workable corkboard...

 

Perhaps a new light fitting is in order????

 
                    Image source: Google images

Love, love this origami flower from Bears & Bunting...hmmm looks a little tricky though.

 

There is always plenty of inspriation to be found over at Made it.

 
 
 

And lets not forget Etsy.........

 
 
 
 

Hope you have enjoyed my little "map-og-raphy" obsession...now if I could only find the time to create???

 

Weekly crafty catch up

Its that time of the week when I reflect on some craftiness. First up a tiny little hat I knitted up in no time to send to a special little premmy bubby doing it tough....hang in there little man!

 

Its the cutiest little beannie BUT it would also double as en 'egg cosy'????

 

I am finding lots of uses for my dyed doillies, not only have they appeared in recent scrapbooking projects, card making and present toppers, but this week I made up some heat packs for the family using some vintage sheeting and an old 'weathered' dressing gown...what do you think?

 
 

There are some great tutorials around on 'how to make' heat packs, some people use rice and others wheat (I used wheat and purchased it at the local pet shop), add a handful of dried lavender and the best tip I can give you...double the fabric if it is lightweight (the vintage sheeting I used was okay but some fabric is too 'thin' and wears away too quickly with use. Simply pop them in the microwave for 2 minutes and enjoy!

NB. the girls like thinner, longer heatpacks, I prefer mine more square, there is no rule.

There is always another Birthday card to create....

 

 

Hmmm...did I mention I am loving' those doillies! LOL

And finally, here is an easy peasy (and super quick) present idea to share.

 

Simply start with a frame and an old map (more op-shopping adventures), trace around a 'meaningful' part of the map depending on the recipient (this girlie LOVES Italy) with a heart shaped template and frame...ta da...pretty cool even if I do say so myself!!

Good Life Wednesday

I am playing along with Sarah and her "Good Life Wednesday". Now I must confess Wednesday is my 'day off' so every Wednesday is a good one, they are busy as I stuggle to fit way too many things into the one day....

 

Every Wednesday I train with a group of lovely ladies for an hour down at Clontarf, our trainer is tough but I have come to enjoy the sessions, its a great way to start my Wednesday!

Next on the agenda was cleaning the house....washing.....more washing...did I mention washing???? Quite a sense of achievement when everything is clean and tidy, even remembered to change the water in these beautiful lillies that my dear hubby bought home last week as we celebrated our wedding anniversary.

 

These flowers smell AMAZING!

 

I managed to escape from my chores for a while and catch up with a friend for coffee.

 

Then it was back home to whip up sme of these yummy chocolate chip muffins in time for the girls to come home from school...

 

Thank you to Melissa from One Crafty Mumma for the wonderful (and easy peasy) recipe...some big ones for afternoon tea and mini ones to pack in school lunches as a treat.

 

So, all in all it was definitely a GOOD LIFE WEDNESDAY, how was yours?

An early morning walk!

This morning Taylor and I were up bright and early for an early morning walk! We try to get a walk in together at least once a week, sometimes we jog with music blasting in our ears and sometimes we just walk and chat, I love these days the best!

 
 
Such a beautiful morning today, ths sun was rising above Manly Cove as we walked around Dobroyd Point...

 

 

There is something quite magical about a sunrise....

 

Along the way we noticed some wildflowers starting to bloom...ahh SPRING is just arond the corner....

 

 

Finally AUGUST is the month that Aussie wattle begins to bloom, with some recent warmer days its everywhere!!

 

As the weather warms up I am looking forward to lots more early morning walks!

Christmas treats in July

Yes, I know its already August (pinch and a punch and all that), but we celebrated "Christmas in July" with dear friends last Saturday night. I offered to bring all the Christmas chocolate treats that I make every year.....

 

We had a lovely night, great food, great company, even Christmas decorations and Gluwien made an appearance...my chocolate treats were also a hit!

 

Happy Christmas in July (posted in August!) xx