A week of ballet

Another busy week that included 3 ballet concerts. My 2 bigger girls did 2 concerts last Sunday. I was really excited to see how Jasmin had grown in confidence and was loving the dances. Kiralee shone too. Here are some photos including a tutu with fairy lights!

Stella was in covenants Thursday night dance concert. We were thrilled to see her try her best after what had been a tricky year for her. Here is a pici.

Madeit Love!

With Christmas approaching I thought I would share some beautiful hand made items from madeit.com.au  There are SO many lovely stores and every time I visit I am amazed at the talent of the sellers. Here are some of my more RETRO favourites!!!

A gorgeous retro cushion from flotsam and jetsum 

Lovely skirt by Ree Bee Melbourne

Fantastic purse by Monkey & Bee

I hope that this wets your appetite and you find some beautiful items as Christmas gifts!

Christmas Goodies

I am feeling the Christmas season approaching and have been getting some festive things ready! On Wednesday I had a stall at Covenant's Christmas market but because it was my day in Transition the very lovely Jaycie looked after my table for me along with eldest daughter Jasmin who was in her element! It was a successful event and I enjoyed racing down in my morning tea time to see the offerings from the various sellers.

Today I had an opportunity to put some of the Christmas goodies in my online store. Here are some photos...

Vintage style baubles

Christmas Cherubs

This ones my favourite- a Christmas mini-bunting!

Christmas mini-tags

Yay for Teachers!

I've been really painting up a storm here in between buckling down and completing a report for my uni course!! Busy busy busy...
So here I am presenting my hand lettered teacher gift- hope you like it!

Available in my madeit store

Some days just aren't as planned

Well today wasn't quite the day I expected it to be....
A house to clean, a uni report to write, and maybe sneak a little art. Poor daughter number 3 woke up exhausted and off colour so it was a home-with\-mummy day for her. My day was spent tidying her desk, making a feather fan together and a little walk in the local shops. These are precious days never the less and I enjoyed the slower pace.
I still did sneak a little art time during 'The Lion King" and managed to get this print into my madeit store!

Speak Life!

Last Friday I finally got ready for printing a painting that I had painted a couple of months ago- yes it's been a busy year!
So introducing... Speak Life

Sometimes as mums we are so busy and have a lot of mundane things we have to say. I hope my words Speak Life to my children and the people around me.

Painting at Last

It's been a long time since my last painting! The renovation took such a lot of my time and energy. Today was so hot it was definitely the day to go and do the first painting in our lovely new space. It's been so fun to spend a couple of hours this afternoon being creative. Refreshing too. Let me share some of my afternoon with you.

Vintage china

No surprise to my friends that I would be writing about my love for vintage china. I have just taken a little time out to wash through a box that had been waiting to find their place in the new room. Ideal afternoon- girls out bouncing on the tramp for the last hour and me sorting through little treasures.

Finishing off

Well the year has raced away and the blog posts have been very thin on the ground. It has been very difficult at times keeping the family running smoothly with the disruption of the renovation. I am very excited that 3 weeks ago we moved into the back part of the house and so the renovation is mostly finished. I say mostly because now the carpenters are finished,we start - lots of painting, finishing off and organising to come. But so lovely to be in the while house and particularly the kitchen!!! Lets just say that 7 months without a proper kitchen could test anyone! Here's my current view - yay!!!

Renovations

Time is flying by and I cant believe it is nearly April! I like to think I have a great reason for neglecting my blog and keeping up with everything. We have been renovating for the past 8 weeks and I have become the 'go get it' girl for things ranging from waterproofing and drain covers to more exciting things like picking tiles and laundry tubs...

The frightening before photo!

Well last week we finished our bathroom and can I say how excited I am considering the 5 of us were squishing in to our ensuite over the past couple of months. It is so exciting not to queue for a shower in your own home!
 I have some images that I would love to share.....being a visual girl myself I hope that you enjoy them!

It starts- mess and dust!

wall lined and bath installed

So exciting when the tiling started!

Looking good...

Time for painting, duck egg blue♥

Nearly there

Finished 

Valentine day wrap up

Well Valentines day has come and gone again. I remember last year posting about the significance of this day in our family. A day when we arrived home in Australia with our precious first first daughter from Taiwan. It was the beginning of a new family life, a busy chapter full of love that we are in right now.
So each valentines day my lovely hubbie brings me flowers and his 3 daughters a rose to celebrate this special day.

Growing up- here come the teens!

I felt a little misty eyed this week. My eldest daughter, about to turn 13 went shopping with a friend at our local shopping centre. She came back all excited with some new shoes- lovely heels! She bought them ( for $5 ) for a disco birthday party she is going to next week. It was when she put them on I was taken back how grown up she looked, how time was flying by, how it was so many years ago now we had arrived home from Taiwan with her in our arms! Savour the moments everyone they flash by!

Washes the car then comes inside to put on the shoes!

School Holiday Catchup

 We certainly are full swing in to the new year and time is flying by. With only a week and a half left of the school holidays I thought I would post some of the fun times!

Pressies!

Cousin catchups!

Cousies!

Bringing in the new year

Pirate antics

Cooling off

Wearing them out in the surf

Crafting fun

I have big things on my  plate this year with home renovations but I must be feeling refreshed because I say - bring it on!