reread

See you later f--kwitts

2012-01-26T15:01:00.002+10:00

I recently took a long weekend for my my birthday and drove to Bundaberg to see the turtles with Mr Reread. The town is described as 'modern and progressive' in the tourism brochure - the locals didn't get the memo. We booked in to a beach-side cabin resort, of which our cabin was unfortunately next door to an entire family or 'ford' of bogans. Mr Bogan was up at 8am the first morning 'thonging' through the carport directly behind our bedroom and emptying an endless supply of empty bottles into the Otto. Delightful.

Driving toward Bargara

Closed on Sunday - good thing we didn't need any fuzzy dice or a gun

On the Sunday, we drove out to a national park, that turned out to be more of a swamp and took a little turn around the swampy grasslands, it was pretty. We arrived back into Bundaberg looking to eat the arse out of a low-flying duck. Do you think there are any cafes open on a Sunday? No, there is not and apparently Woolies in Bundy observes the Sabbath too. We eventually found an IGA and made a dodgy salad of sorts before the 'turtles'.

These cute macropods were just chilling in someone's front yard

That night we went down to Mon Repos for the turtle experience. This is what made the trip totally worth the while. We were in the first group to go down to the beach. Standing in the darkness with 10 billion twinkling stars above us we got to see a nest of hatchlings emerge and run down the beach to the ocean. Only about one in 1000 of these little guys will survive to adulthood. Nature's a bitch huh.

Babies don't get much cuter than this

Just hatched - a baby loggerhead

Using torches to guide them to the ocean

On our last morning we had breakfast in the main street with the locals paddling in the significantly shallow gene pool. As we made our way to the car a tall, pock-faced boy walked by us and bode farewell to his mate who had ducked into a clothing store 'see ya later fuckwitt'. And that was the closing chapter of our Bundaberg weekend.

If you're ever up that way make sure you see the turtles. And don't bother going to the 'mystery craters' on the way to Gin Gin. The biggest mystery is why we paid $7.50 to see some slimy holes in some lady's backyard?

'Mystery craters' and a hairstyle that really needs to be Photoshoped

All I want for my birthday is peace ...

2012-01-20T21:11:00.001+10:00

That's what I would say if I was runner-up in a beauty pageant, but I'm not so that's bollocks. All I actually want for my birthday is a pony. My mum sent me some cute stuff in the mail, a marimekko tea towel, a moomin teacup and these cute wee cupcake toppers. Thanks mum xxx.

Uncle Arthur, you silly old prick

2012-01-16T19:03:00.001+10:00

I ducked out at lunch today for some Lifeline Bookfest rummaging. Hello unpriced section! Great cause, great books, great crafting ideas all swimming though my head. I picked up some Uncle Arthur books, in all their sexist, racist, extreme fanatical Christian glory. Oh Uncle Arthur, had you been my uncle I think you would have been 'that' uncle, the one who never got invited to family weddings.

Spaces I would rather be

2012-01-13T08:12:00.001+10:00

Friday, I love you and hate you. Towards the end of the day I get to know you a little better and we become friends. On a Friday ... these are spaces I would rather be.

Source: dirtysleeves.tumblr.com via Myan on Pinterest

Source: theletteredcottage.net via Myan on Pinterest

Source: blog.vanstee.be via Myan on Pinterest

Ha ha ha

2012-01-07T17:43:00.001+10:00

These cute little gift tags will be at my market tomorrow ... The Young Designers Market at South Bank from 10am until 4pm tomorrow.Click her for more info on the market and to see who else will be there.

2012 markets

2012-01-05T19:22:00.001+10:00

I am very much looking forward to getting back to the markets this year. I will be breaking into the 2012 market season this Sunday at South Bank for the Young Designers Market. The market is on from 10am until 4pm, come say hi and grab a handmade treasure.

Making a mess and getting it right

2012-01-04T11:53:00.000+10:00

On my holidays I spent a lot of time cutting out animal shapes, applying resin and flicking through romance novels to find cheesy one-liners to go with my cards. The weather was so amazing all holidays, I had the most relaxing time crafting, walking, drinking cups of tea and messing up the room I had spotless for Christmas day. All my crafty endeavours are toward my markets for 2012, the first of which is this Sunday at South bank. Do come say hi!

Rainbow after a summer storm

You're so messy, oh so messy ...

And now for something really different ...

2012-01-01T10:24:00.001+10:00

Happy New Year! I had the best NYE ever. We had some dinner at home, the boys played guitar, got a lift into the Valley, had a few chilled beers at my fav bar (ric's) and then after the countdown got a free train home. Having a lazy Sunday with wonderful company and a ripper cup of tea. It's going to be a good year.

To market ... First market of 2012!

2011-12-30T16:59:00.001+10:00

I will be selling all my cool new stuff made over the Christmas break, at the next Young Designers Market. The market will be on Sunday, 8 January at South Bank. Come say hi, there will be a lot of other BrisStyle girls there too.

Hey, does this look familiar?

2011-12-29T08:56:00.001+10:00

Recently I joined the great unwashed and ventured to Chermside shopping center for a spot of highly agitated shopping. Being a pretty, folky things magpie I am drawn to Typo ... Ohhhh stationary and pens. I picked up one of their cards and it looked strangely familiar. I wonder if they have 'idea scouts' who pick and choose ideas to pilfer from markets. Maybe they just came up with the idea themselves, but I still feel a bit gypped.

Some of my cards ...

Treehouse

2011-12-26T12:47:00.001+10:00

We took a mini break up in the cool Sunshine Coast Hinterland before Christmas. Waking up in a cute treehouse with birds singing and bold bush turkeys eyeballing you through the huge glass windows was pretty cool. If you're up that way give Treehouses of Montville a burl.

postcode instgarm

2011-12-18T08:56:00.000+10:00

If I don't have my iPad on the train on the way home, I think a lot. I think about things I want to make ... like eco cotton tips made from tightly rolled recycled paper and sterilised bits of old fabric. My latest choo choo synapse moment was a blog called 'postcodeagram'. I like the idea of making a blog that is a collection of instagram images simply with just the postcode for the tile ... and then geotag the post. Anyway, we'll see how much gusto I have over the holidays and maybe in January 2012 I'll have a new blog to fill my evenings with wireless hours.

Here are some from my postcode ... 4054

Tweet me out ... Get a Christmas treat!

2011-12-10T10:14:00.001+10:00

I am not at the market so I'm going to flood my Etsy shop with ornaments in time for Christmas. In an effort to 'sell, sell, sell' I'm giving away this wee one to anyone who tweets, comments or links to this post. If you tweet use @reread or #reread so I can find your tweet in the twittisphere. I will draw a winner on Tuesday.

Should I stay or should I go

2011-12-10T08:05:00.001+10:00

I've spent the morning uming and ahing on weather to brave the rain or bail on the market. It's always so disappointing when you've spent so much time getting 'market ready' and then the weather closes in.So, given that most of my stuff is rain, humidity hating paper ... I am sticking around at home. If the sun comes out I' going to be very peeved.To try and ensure that all my efforts were not in vain I will put a whole bunch of my little Christmas ornaments on Etsy and if you buy them in the next three days ... They're guaranteed to get there by Christmas(for you Aussies).

And little ole me ...

2011-12-09T04:00:00.000+10:00

I too will be at the BrisStyle indie Designer Markets that will be gifting handmade to the good people of Brisbane tomorrow. I'll also be giving the Kerbside Lane Markets a good kick in the pants on Sunday to see how they go. So come say hi and buy handmade this Christmas. I'll have my brooches, bags, cards, tags, softie dolls and my new ornaments.

Edward and Lilly will be there too ...

2011-12-08T04:00:00.000+10:00

Another golden child of the handmade set is Edward and Lilly. he too will be at the BrisStyle indie Designers Market on Saturday. Come say hi, come and admire the wonderful creative peeps who make up BrisStyle and make these markets amazing.

"I work during the day and create at night to bring you beautiful and unique handmade products. I’m inspired by nature and I try to use sustainable materials as much as possible." - Edward and Lilly.

Hop along to the market

2011-12-07T04:00:00.000+10:00

Another BrisStyler who'll be along for the handmade ride this Saturday is 'Each To Own' ... a newbie to the BrisStyle set, so wish her luck!

This and many more cool things at the BrisStyle indie Designers Market on Saturday, 10 December.

More info here.

Markets this weekend

2011-12-06T08:22:00.000+10:00

Saturday I'll be here ... BrisStyle indie Designers Market

Sunday I'll be here ... Kerbside Lane Markets

With this stuff ... and more

Indie markets before Xmas

2011-12-05T11:49:00.000+10:00

This Christmas you should really give handmade a go. Something small, simple and inexpensive can be worth so much more if it has been made with love rather than 'made in china'. Make secret Santa makes someones day. For $10 or less you could give them a sweet card, gift tag etc. rather than some crap they'll just add to landfill.

If you're in the mood to give the handmade set some festive cheer then you need to get yourself along to the BrisStyle indie Designer Market this Saturday. For the next few days I'll feature some designers who'll be there with me selling their beautiful wares. Today it's Hungry Designs and her cool Kitchen Aid brooch.

Tomato, tam'a'toe

2011-12-05T04:00:00.000+10:00

A friend gave me some fresh, home grown cherry tomatoes. I cooked them up in a little olive oil, garlic and basil, then just squished them a bit and added them to fresh organic pasta. Yum. Home grown food kicks arse. I can't wait until our little veggie garden starts to pay up!

Weekend of sun, surf and paddling

2011-12-04T16:56:00.001+10:00

On Saturday morning we got up early and headed north to Golden Beach. Once there we realised it was a beach for the older set, it's near Caloundra. Caloundra is God's waiting room, seriously. Luckily we saw the sign for the kayak hire. so we paddled out to Bribe island for a swim. It was amazing - we had the beach totally to ourselves. If you're headed that way give Golden Beach Hire a run, it's really good fun!

This is not the kayak we used ... but I really want one.

Preview

2011-12-02T08:42:00.001+10:00

I'm going to the media preview for the Matisse: Drawing Life exhibition at GoMA ... ohhh la la. What a nice way to start a Friday work day.

Henri Matisse | Image courtesy: Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

If you go down to the woods today ...

2011-11-29T10:18:00.001+10:00

After a gorgeous morning swim at Mooloolaba we stopped in on a side road to take some arty photos in the pine forest. We also decided we should come back the week before Christmas with a hack saw and pilfer a roadside sapling for our tree. Mr REread's parents are be bucking the trend and coming to our joint for Christmas day lunch. I'll have to decorate it with some of my cute wee little ornaments!

Crafting, sewing ... Buttons

2011-11-26T20:35:00.001+10:00

I am getting some cute, little Christmas ornaments ready for my next two markets in a week or so. I get so into the cutting, stitching, stuffing ... I lose track of time.

November rain

2011-11-22T08:28:00.001+10:00

This November has been Brisbane's driest in history (whose history I do not know) and it's not just the suburban lawns looking a little dried out. For Brisbane ladies who need some facehab, I have an Estée Lauder corporate store pass to give away. It is valid for November, so you'll have to make a trip soon! It has lots of secret women's business stuff that smells real pretty and are cheaper than retail. Leave me a comment and I'll pick a random beauty to send it out to. Now sit back and think of Slash playing that rad guitar solo in the desert on an ekectric guitar with nothing to plug the thing into.

It's begining to look a lot like ...

2011-11-14T07:20:00.000+10:00

Christmaaaas. Yes, it's that time of year, Woolies is glittering with crappy, plastic trinkets that are made in China and I suddenly feel like some pudding. It's nearly Christmas, the time of year we celebrate family and how fucking odd they all are. To celebrate the season I've some new cute editions to my Etsy shop. Vintage, thrifted ornaments, all one of a kind and all just lovely.

Open ...

2011-11-13T15:46:00.000+10:00

A few days ago I got my open drivers licence! I never thought I'd actually get around to driving, like a big girl but I've done it and now I'm a fully fledged driving lass. I would never have done it without the help of Mr reread, who patiently taught me how to drive, no more white knuckle trips I can merge, honk and flip the bird with the best of them.

mmmmm yum, open jalapenos

open tea pot ... with my wee fishbone fern

open for a hug anytime you are ...

Our lovely old casement windows, open to let the breeze in.

Opportunity knocks

2011-11-07T05:45:00.003+10:00

I spent some time scouting-out treasures at various op-shops on the weekend. Boy, do you need to rummage! I found some nice little goodies and even got a free loaf of bread which the chickens were very thankful for. I would love to do this as a job. How do I arrange that?

Pretty glass buttons ...

Nana's Sunday yellow numbers

More pretty buttons

Whites

2011-11-06T18:12:00.001+10:00

Until you've painted a house, you generally have no idea how many shades of white there are. We went with Chine White and Natural White, it's so lovely and bright inside our little house now, and the polished timber floor really sets it off. In honour of the thousands of whites we've thumbed though in the paint shop here are some subtle lovelies to end a Sunday on.

Can I have a pony white ... here

Vintage milk glass white ... here

Goosey, goosey gander white ... here

Beach time ...

2011-11-06T11:56:00.001+10:00

Home time. The drive back to the city after a morning swim at Mooloolaba. Man, I love the weekend.

Morning sunshine ...

2011-11-05T06:58:00.001+10:00

I always seem to wake up at stupid o'clock on the weekend, I can't sleep in. Maybe it's the big 'to do' list I'm thinking about, maybe it's that I don't have to go to work. Whatever it is it's kinda nice being up at sparrow's blogging from bed with a cup of tea.

A bed I'd like to wake up in

Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up

2011-11-04T13:02:00.001+10:00

A picture paints a thousand wants. Mr REread and I are on a mission to give REread’s Etsy shop a good kick in the guts and get some lovely vintage wares stocked online. This weekend I’ll be doing an op-shop scout to find cute, wee knick-knacks for people to re-home. The trick is to take wonderful photos. You want to make the folky, arty lads and lassies see a porcelain fawn trinket and say ‘I must have that’. Wish me luck!

I do already have a Pyrex fetish ... but this photo make it look tangy and 'want' like. From here.

Ric's, you old dog you

2011-10-16T18:27:00.002+10:00

The weekend got off to a good start with a burrito at Mad Mex and then some bevies at Ric's, my old drinking haunt. We got talking about music, as you do at a live music joint and discussed at length 'having it'. Mike Paton has it, Nick Cave has it Tex Perkins, hell yeah, he has it. Some ladies who have it, Deborah Harry, Stevie Nicks and Kim Gordon. What makes these performers so darn hot? What makes someone 'not'? Mull it over, and here's a quote from Mr REread while you're at it.

"Nickleback is ... if you travelled through a transdimensional porthole, through a space/time continuum and found a version of Metallica, expect they'd all be wankers who had been breastfed for too long."

Has it ...

Um ... not

hello weekend ...

2011-10-14T16:32:00.004+10:00

I deliberately used a lowercase 'h' in the title ... 'hello' just looks so much nicer with a lowercase 'h'. So hello weekend and see you later working week!

'hello' ... from corella design

Stuff I fricken love - nice comments

2011-10-14T07:07:00.000+10:00

Sometimes random people will say 'I love your brooch', whether it's one of my own designs or one of the many, many gorgeous brooches I've collected over the years - it makes me feel good. There is nothing like a nice comment in person or 'in blog' to make one feel a little bit chuffed and just a little bit nice. Next time you see someone with a funky-ass skirt, a rocking do or a killer smile, drop them a line.

Nice tatt ...

Nice pony ...

Nice hat ...

Stuff I fricken love - this ballsy kid

2011-10-13T06:19:00.000+10:00

She's the crème of the 12 year old blogging scene crop. Say hello to Evita Nuh, the kid who's been blogging well beyond her years for a good three. Read her blog jellyjellybeans.blogspot.com, this snazzy little sass is the prepubescent Yoko Ono of Indonesia.

Stuff I fricken love - deers

2011-10-12T07:00:00.000+10:00

I love deer, reindeer especially. I've found some of the dear little ruminants I'd like to bring home. They're all on Etsy. Enjoy!

You'll find this couple here

Flock me ... these guys live here

How to make your living room 'pop' ... an albino taxidermy deer head.

This lady is a fine doodler ... here

Stuff I fricken love - Lingham's chilli

2011-10-11T20:42:00.000+10:00

Hello blog. Sorry I've been away, a bit distracted, too caught-up with work, dogs, budget airlines etc. I'm back and have made a resolve to get back to the 'art of crafting'. It makes me happy, it keeps me out of trouble and I get to swan about in lovely crafty circles full of wonderful people like you!

The next few blog post are about stuff I love, things I can't live without, things I miss when I go overseas. Number one ... let's keep it simple and hot. It's Lingham's chilli sauce, yummy, natural ingredients and no garlic. Don't get me wrong, I've no beef with garlic I just prefer it stay out of my chilli, sugary goodness. The particular sauce has a life partner - sour cream. You need to go and get you some of this red deliciousness. Hot dang!

Contrasting chilli from here

Arty chilli from here

Ego chilli from here

Warning

2011-10-03T07:26:00.001+10:00

The beautiful Northern Rivers region in NSW.

2011-09-29T08:11:00.001+10:00

I've just spent five days in tropical north Queensland, living it up in Mossman. The spring weather turned it on and the blue skies were out in force. The people in Mossman are a bit 'whoa your eyes seem to be quite close together' but the natural beauty of the place makes up for the branchless family trees.

Bridge ...

2011-09-15T17:53:00.001+10:00

Walking across one of Brisbane's many beautiful bridges on a lovely spring evening.

Sunday, shopping in Fitzroy

2011-09-11T21:48:00.001+10:00

After dropping one of the Demented Frogs off for her Sunday shift, the remaining band member and I went for a big breakfast. Dimitri's Feast ... broad beans and goats cheese, you were destined to be together. The place is very cute, good service and a menu with the works. It's a goer!

Shopping, we checked out 1001 pound bend. Awesome little cafe with a handmade Market upstairs, well worth the trip. Next up we're in Fitzroy shopping it up at the Rose st market. Very nice, very nice indeed. More shopping on the street and a quick bite to eat before we literally raced to the airport to catch my flight with the 'great unwashed'. I'm now blogging on the plane as a small child kicks the back of my chair and her vowel rounding deficient parents talk a very inane talk. Monte, Bianca and Kayla ... Thank you for such an enjoyable flight.

Saturday, shopping, spag bog, spring punch and sweet island wine

2011-09-11T09:08:00.001+10:00

Yesterday, I spent the day in Melbourne with friends I have known for a very long time. We actually had a band in primary school called The Demented Frogs. The band has broken up, but we're still talking.

We shopped out little hearts out in Yarraville, ate a big bowl of spag bog at Pellegrini's espresso bar, welcomed spring at Madame Brussels and then topped it off with a mulled wine at Ponyfish Island.

Spring has almost, almost sprung

2011-09-05T19:30:00.000+10:00

It's warming up. The days are getting longer and the sun outside is just lovely to sit in on a Sunday at Redcliffe with a flask of tea and a few cling-wrapped sangas. Spring the golden child of all the seasons.

I am taking a bit of a market break over the next two months to enjoy the weather and spend some quality time cleaning up after myself and not making a helluva crafty mess. I'll get back into it when the punters begin to panic buy for Christmas and when the Brisbane weather turns into a humid, sweltering turd.

Cute, wee baby animals - from here

Deer, sweet woodland fellow

A wee duck, maybe I'll make a line of little ducklings?

Spring, so close

2011-08-27T19:01:00.001+10:00

I love this time of year when the grevillea flowers come out and the lorikeets go a bit batty in the rain.

21 August YDM

2011-08-20T22:45:00.001+10:00

Come along for the special Young Designers Market tomorrow. It's part of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2011. I'll be there with all my fashionable stuffs!

Location:Brisbane

Three good reasons you should get your indie on this Friday

2011-08-14T10:52:00.000+10:00

Hip, hip hooray ... the next installment of the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market is on this Friday, so get your craft on and come say hi. If you are not lucky enough to live in or be visiting Bris Vegas on Friday 19 August then here's a little snapshot of the goodies that will be on sale on the night. If you do live in Brisbane, then put on your best cloche hat and come down to support local, handmade. Here are three good reason to market it up this Friday ...

Those darn Fruit Bats have been causing some grief in Queensland these past few week ... but this bat is harmless, the only thing you'll catch from this bat is compliments. Origami baby bat pin - blood red from Catamation.

Thar she blows ... Baby whale - sterling silver necklace from Orange Sherbert.

Now read the top line for me ... Eye chart brooch from Gone Dotti.

Pink and sweet and macarony

2011-08-06T16:42:00.001+10:00

I got myself some digital scales as the last time I tried to make macarons it was a dismal failure. This time with my sugar and almonds measured out to the gram it was a much better outcome, still not perfect, but better. Next batch I might make green minty ones ... Yum.

Irkutsk, smiles are free

2011-08-01T22:24:00.000+10:00

I'm back at work after a little break and already I'm getting nostalgic about travelling. I think it must almost be time to pack my rucksack and head off into the wild blue yonder for some bouts of gastro and a SD card full of memories.

I am yearning for a long trip on a bus, train, motorcycle or my two feet over a great deal of km. My last really big trip was the trans Siberian in 2008, oh so long ago! I think India wold be nice with a little side trip to Pakistan or maybe a train ride up through Vietnam. Who knows, but the feet are itching and my little red backpack is peering over at me saying 'please take me out'.

"In the first few seconds an aching sadness wrenched his heart, but it soon gave way to a feeling of sweet disquiet, the excitement of gypsy wanderlust"

— Mikhail Bulgakov

These were taken in Irkutsk ... one of Siberia's largest cities.

Also one of Siberia's largest smile to eye contact ratio.

Fingers crossed for the gaijin

2011-07-31T15:01:00.001+10:00

I just submitted my application for the Travel Volunteer '100 days in Japan' blogging opportunity - fingers crossed! I have never been to Japan and have always wanted to go, so 100 days to blog my way around the land of the setting sun would be pretty alright. So fingers crossed ... and I think they'd so digg my brooches in Japan :)

Let's go ... A Natsumi Hayashi photo from here.

Thursday it's a shark ...

2011-07-28T09:16:00.001+10:00

I grew up I Port Douglas ... yeah that sucks! We had this amazing Robinson Crusoe type house on the hill. It had no doors or windows, it was a round pole house with thatched shutters we would open and prop up with lengths of bamboo.

The house was also only a stones throw from the beach, so we spent a lot of time in the water getting dreadlock kinda knots in our hair. One Friday after school my best friend and I were swimming and yakking our heads off a few meters from the shore when we noticed a fin ... gulp. We both screamed and swam rapidly back to shore with the cello soundtrack playing perilously in the background.

We were standing on the sand pointing and yelling 'shark' when my dad appeared (my dad seems to just do that) and said 'all right you two, calm down they're dolphins.' We looked again and sure enough the circling fins were actually dolphin fins arcing in the shallows, aweeeee.

Being the sheer moronic kids we were at age 10, we both swam back out and began to make 'dolphin noises' underwater in the hope that they'd swim under us offering a ride on their backs. Evidently these dolphins were not cut from the same cloth that Flipper was and they swam off in the depths as we waved, clicked grunted after them.

Did you comment in last Thursday's post? Yes ... are you 'By Meg's Pen' ? Hells yeah you have won the reread brooch ... I'll make it up and pop it in the mail!

Wednesday

2011-07-27T22:18:00.001+10:00

When we were little we were very often taken out of school for week or so long Coral Sea adventures. We had a wonderful big boat 'Lumi', snow in Finnish, that we would taken on salty adventures. I learnt to swim on that boat, we were 'children overboard' and expected to drift along the reef fringe with Dad until we were picked up as the reef ended and we were headed toward Vanuatu.

One of my memorable trips was the time we went to Princess Charlotte Bay for a week. When we arrived it was the most beautiful, still day and the bay looked like something from a Bond film.

Dad bundled us all into the rubber ducky and we headed toward the beach for a spot of fishing! My little brother and I were playing in the sand as Mum and Dad walked along the beach with the drag net.

All of a sudden I can hear Dad yelling 'get in the boat, quick now ...' so we both legged it and jumped in as the outboard powered up and we took off. As I looked back Mum was pointing a a massive, fat saltwater croc who was lying on the beach ... About 100 meters from where we'd been playing. That was the day we opted out of being the apptiser.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Tuesday's baby birds ...

2011-07-26T05:08:00.003+10:00

For the next week I will be posting gorgeous old images from vintage children's books and accompanying them with a 'Dad story'. Most people are familiar with the Dad story, however if you're not here's the 411. It's a story that gets told two to four times per year. Usually on occasions where said Dad has captive audience. Dad stories are generally mildly funny and always told with the enthusiasm as the legendary 'first telling'. Often names, dates and places take a little poetic licence and Janet will become Janice etc. etc.

Join in if you like and tell your 'Dad story' ... leave a link below with Mr Linky. Also you have until Thursday to get comment here to win a REread brooch!

Batty was our orphaned flying fox. He was a cute little guy who smelt like fermenting paw paw and liked to hang from the rear view mirror when Mum drove us to school. My best friend and I loved this unoriginally named little guy, we took him for walks on the beach, to the family dinner at the pub and we tried our hardest to teach him to fly.

We wanted Batty to learn to fly so he could join his noisy bat friends and so we could get another little orphan to play with once he'd 'returned to nature'. So we took to hanging him from the monkey bar we had hanging from the rafters in the house. We stood there night after night swinging him higher and higher. His thin, veined black wings would open up and he'd flap, flap and ... nothing. Maybe this bat was not going to fly, maybe he'd just be a fluffy dice substitute forever.

On the night he finally did learn to fly we were all sitting on the veranda watching his flapping routine and then suddenly he did it. Batty launched himself off the monkey bar swing and with a wonderful sounding 'whoop' he took off. On about his third 'whoop' a rather large, white owl descended from out of nowhere grabbed our dear friend in his talons and promptly flew off into the dusk.

We stood there agape as the awful screaming trailed off into the distance and my Dad said very matter of factly "well, ... that's nature kids." Batty was our last orphan flying fox. Mum just got us some guinea pigs after that.

Friday's circle ... it's a bit kitsch

2011-07-22T07:22:00.000+10:00

Firstly ... get commenting on Thursday's post ( below this one) for your chance to win a REread brooch. Today is Friday, the day before the weekend. A day to wind down and have a beverage 4pm at work. A day to wake up feeling good and getting ready for the weekend. A day to knock-off and meet the boy for noodles and a beer in the Valley. I love Friday, not as much as Saturday and Sunday but it's certainly the golden child of the weekdays. Soviet Vintage is the Etsy circle of choice for today, check her shop out for some wonderful gift ideas for you best comrades!

Vintage Black Tura Cat Eye Eyeglasses Frame ... from here.

1970s cow family ... here.

Hitchcock 'The Birds' pillow ... from here.

Thursday's circle ... it's a winner!

2011-07-21T05:32:00.002+10:00

So, I have decided to give away a little brooch for this post. In this post I have included some circle favourites from Edward and Lilly's Etsy shop. Leave me a comment and win a REread brooch! I will make a custom 'circle' brooch for the winner. So enjoy the lovely Etsy bits and bobs below and get commenting!

Some of my brooches ... to win one, just leave a comment!

Mr. Tea Pink Teacup and Saucer from Lenny Mud.

My Favourite Spot in Winter Cushion from the gorgeous Belle and Boo

Geometric art print mod mini dress from Persephone Vintage.

Wednesday's cirlce ... it's hot!

2011-07-20T05:13:00.006+10:00

For Wednesday I'm looking at Hot Toffee's circles on Etsy. Hot Toffee is a very clever glass (and other things) artist from Queensland, Australia. She is also a member of the super cool collective that is BrisStyle. Here are some of the neat things that her 'circle' have made favourites!

Matryoshka doll pillows from Sugar and Fig

Good morning, Ladies and gentlemen, and welcome aboard Apricot Airways! Tida Beads.

Important Information 003: Six degrees of seperation explained, Archival Art Print - Original illustration by Penelope and Pip

Tuesday's circle ... delicious!

2011-07-19T06:11:00.002+10:00

Today's circle favourite are from the ever cool, very PC Trixie Delicious! This cool cat scouts out vintage cups, plates etc and then spices them up with the F word and other such unladylike terms. I love her sense of humour and I also happen to like her circle favourites too!

Doll heads ... fun! From Burnt Off Fingers

I'd Share My Shake With You Milkshake Bunnies Vintage Illustrated Plate

The Story Book Rabbit

Vintage Green Enamel Kettle Country Farmhouse ... from Emelia's Cupboards.

Monday's circle ...

2011-07-18T06:17:00.004+10:00

This week I will be posting about Etsy circles. The first notification I revived telling me that I was now 'added to So and So's circle" I was like 'wha'? I've grown to love the circle, the ever expanding group of cool stuff I can buy from Etsy. Today I'm looking at the very cute Beppie Bags store, here are some of her favourites!

Vintage Retro Homestyle G PLAN Armchairs c1957 ... here

CHRISTMAS IN JULY Vintage Manual Typewriter by Royal in Cadet Blue ... here

Set of 4. Yellow Striped Drinking Glasses ... here

Bitch altered vintage teacup ... here

Let's go shopping - want.

2011-07-17T14:10:00.000+10:00

I'm playing along with the BrisStyle team and looking at some delightful little things that I just 'want' from Etsy. To read the BrisStyle post featuring some clever BrisStyle members click here.

Here you go Julia ... your own personal carbon offset necklace! How cool is this wearable planter!

Click here to read more about Colleen Jordan's shop.

It's a lightbox and it's got a wee, cute deer! I am in love with this little shop from Greece, La Boom!

Soviet coffee grinder ... hells yeah! From Soviet Vintage.

Pretty, old, trendy New Farm ...

2011-07-07T15:20:00.001+10:00

Spent a few hours today walking around New Farm, down by the river. It's such a pretty, old suburb with a mix of young, trendy hipsters, old ducks who've lived there since the 50s and students carrying home 10kg bags of rice. Brisbane is a wonderful little city, it really grows on you.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

An instagram free announcement

2011-07-06T15:07:00.000+10:00

I recently bought myself an iPad .. ohhh the wonderful feeling that comes with buying a toy you don't need and (the money you spent on it) could have fed a tribe of Russian orphans for a month. I downloaded the instagram app and have joined the radical movement of taking very ordinary photos and making them look cute by 'instagraming' them. If you're not familiar with the appy phenomenon, it gives the photo a 70s, Polaroid look, kinda like the snaps from your family albums. Picture your Dad with a big shit-eating grin on his face in short shorts holding a can of VB on the porch with Labby the family mutt - but without Dad and instead you've taken a photo of a wooden bamboo spoon with bits of dried rice stuck to it. Amazing huh! These photos are from my recent ski/drive/gaining weight holiday in Victoria.

I'm going to get all indie on your ...

2011-07-05T18:54:00.001+10:00

This Saturday I'll be market girl at Hamilton (Brisbane) in my big blue tent selling my wares and chatting to anyone who'll listen. It's such great fun being a market lass, making stuff that I love and then selling it to people who appreciate it really puts a smile on my dial. I get to meet some great peeps at the markets, odd ones, funny ones, offended ones! But all in all it's usually great day out for everyone involved. I'm especially lucky to be a part of BrisStyle - an amazing team who are passionate about local, handmade. We're claiming back the suburban consumers one softie doll at a time!

The BrisStyle indie Designer Markets are on this Saturday, July 9th in Hamilton - Racecourse Road from 9am until 2pm.

YDM July 3 2011

2011-07-05T06:25:00.001+10:00

After a week of holidays in Victoria I was back in the market saddle first thing Sunday morning. The weather was good, which is always a bonus for a market stall full of fabric and vintage paper! Met some wonderful folks who thought my cards were great and laughed their way through the whole pile. It's such a nice feeling when people comment positively on your work. My next market is this weekend ... in Hamilton. More details to come in the next few blog posts.

Oh, and I went a little bonkers on the instagram thingo ...

A change is as good as ...

2011-07-04T21:28:00.000+10:00

A holiday. Well sort of. I am going to change the blog background and the header this week to keep it fresh and interesting. To the vintage children's books I go ...

Qantas club, it's all for free

2011-07-02T17:43:00.001+10:00

So the holiday is over, the rental has been dropped off filthy and I have a new pair of marimekko shoes. All is good with the world. I am currently in the Qantas club lounge (as a guest, I'm not that posh) and have tried one of everything ... Why not it's free! Holidays are great, however I'm looking forward to seeing old Sybil again and having tea on tap. Melbourne, it was good seeing you again, thanks for the memories.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

How are you ladies going?

2011-07-01T19:38:00.001+10:00

Welcome to Daylesford. A cute little country town full of beautiful heritage buildings and wide streets. We stayed at the Manse, what a place, although I think there was also a ghost checked in. He was moving ghosty furniture about the place at 2am.

On our first night we opted for a cheap, no fuss dinner and went to an interesting Indian joint on the main drag. Well, this was a dining experience like no other. A Indian man and his cute family beamed at us from an A3 size photo on the wall. That however was as indian as this was going to get. We exchanged glances as the vamp-like host 'Stella' yelled loudly across the restaurant and constantly berated the poor 15 year old waif who was trying her pierced-faced best to wait on patrons.

Halfway through the meal, vamp woman swanned over and asked 'so how are you ladies going?' The full-face beard seemed to go unnoticed by our Transylvanian like host.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Hello Bright eyes

2011-06-27T07:52:00.001+10:00

We picked up the world's smallest car and drove a good 360km to the cute the alpine town of Bright. The car rental company had two colour options, pink or black. I wanted the pink one but drew the shortest hire car straw. Turns out we should have gone the pink as black micra has about as much guts as your nanna after a thirty minute game of squash. It almost died on the way up the mountain, we were in first going 25km at one stage. When we got to the ski resort we were greeted by icy winds and heavy fog. So we opted for the beer at the bar run.

After the mountain ordeal we needed some food, so we stopped in at Morries. The cute black and white dog out front was the main draw card (I have animal tourette syndrome) and I heard the coffee was good. The food was homemade and to die for. If you're ever out this way be sure to stop in.

Off to drive around in the dying micra and see where it takes us!

-Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Church St,Bright,Australia

Hanging ...

2011-06-22T16:11:00.000+10:00

... on the telephone or to just be on holiday. I will be posting from the road over the next few weeks. Let's see how I go using this iPad in the world's smallest car!

Blondie ... from somewhere on Google!

From here ...

From here.

And the alphabetti spaghetti winner is ...

2011-06-18T23:11:00.000+10:00

Thank you to all those who tweeted, followed, liked and commented. After all 26 letters of the alphabet I have drawn a winner from the comments, likers etc. and that winner is "is a 30-something working mum, living in rural Oxfordshire, England" - her blog Flora and Purl is a cute little crafty blog. She also contributes to the Pyrex Collective, I'm a massive fan of the vintage fire proof glassware. The images below are from Etsy.

Ceramic remake of a Pyrex Bowl - from here

Pyrex 3 quart bowl in mushroom design - from here

an Z ...

2011-06-16T22:18:00.002+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'Z'. This is your last chance to get commenting and be in draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

Z is about all good things that come to an end ... like the alphabet, first love, a hot bath, a good book, holidays ... all images are from www.weheartit.com.

Y is for ...

2011-06-15T17:31:00.001+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'Y'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

Y is for Old Yeller and other things that make me cry like that god-awful song by Coldplay (Yellow) and Yodeling. After my little ‘Y’ post only one more letter left, so hop to it and comment on this post to win a super doper gift pack – Babushka softie, brooch, cards and more … Love me and I’m sure to love you back.

X is for ...

2011-06-14T06:59:00.001+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'X'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

X marks the spot or X rated ... not really much else falls under the letter X that come to mind. I looked in the trust dictionary and found some good 'x' words such as;

xanthomonad - bacteria producing yellow non-water-soluble pigments; some pathogenic for plants ...

Yeah that's as far as I got they're all pretty boring words. So here are some pretty pictures from we heart it that are in no way related to the letter x.

W is for ...

2011-06-13T06:30:00.003+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'W'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

Woodland animals ... yeah they're all the rage at the moment. Who would've thought Bambi would be so big in the 18-35 year old department. Here are some extremely cute woodland creatures I found foraging on Etsy.

Sweet little foxy - Art by Haight

Always been a big fan of Track and Field ...

Some of my own little woodland folk ...

V is for ...

2011-06-12T10:37:00.000+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'V'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

Very nice, V is for all things 'very nice'. In anticipation of my next BrisStyle market I have some BrisStyle goodies - all available on Etsy so you can shop your little heart out 24 hours a day! These items will also be at the next market on 9 July at Hamilton in Brisbane. More info on the market here, now let's go shopping!

It's not soap on a rope ... it's toast on a brooch! From Good Boy Cracky

Cute brooch from Jetta's Nest

Kimono Reincarnate

Post someone a note ... Pannikin

From Red Revival

Willls and Kate ... Wicked Child Designs

U is for ...

2011-06-09T07:45:00.000+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'U'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

U just has to be for unicorn, it's the most logical word for the letter 'U'. I've always been a bit of a 'I want a pony' kind of girl and unicorns are pretty much at the top-end of the pony-want-need scale. When I was about five my grandpa came to visit us in Victoria and brought with him 'grandpa gifts'. As anyone who has a grandpa knows the 'grandpa gift' is pretty much the most anticipated and then fawned over of the gift realm. My little brother got a fat bear which we instantly named 'Fat Albert' and I received a delightfully synthetic unicorn. It smelled of wonderful plasticy stuff and when I took it into the fluorescent lights at the bank it's mane turned a difference colour. This unicorn is now lost along with my first bike and several family cats. I can't remember the name I gave that unicorn, but I sure did love it.

Dad enthusiastically posing for a family pic - Me with my brand new kick-arse unicorn.

You know you want one.

From here ...

Funny card on Etsy here

T is for ...

2011-06-08T22:12:00.002+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'T'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

T is for tea of course! A wonderful beverage that is consumed in many mega litres in my house. I have converted the coffee drinking man about town to things like Madame Flavour and Bengal Spice. We still drink coffee on the weekend and at work, but at home it's all teetotaling. I also have a love of beautiful vintage teacups with saucers that don't match. When I win lotto I might have a little shop that sells tea in mis-matched crockery.

Check out her facebook page - and if you've not yet tried it go get some!

mmmm tea with real tigers

A sweet teacup with my business cards

Us at home having a quiet cup of tea ... ?? From here.

Love to dunk a biccie in a culpa

S is for

2011-06-07T07:54:00.000+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'S'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

S is for shameless self promotion and 'Sun' from MasterChef! Click here to see what I'm on about. Now to more things S. Like Sunday, sleeping-in, salty licorice (Salmiakki) and Sybil (the wonder dog). Sunday, it's got to be my favourite day of the week, as I'm usually getting into the groove of the weekend by then. On a typical Sunday we sleep-in, make a big breakfast courtesy of the Hussain and the Dominions of Hate (our three delightful chickens) drink cups of tea and soak up the morning sun. I also like to make stuff on a Sunday. Last weekend I made a massive 'Two Nut Torte', there were only two nuts to eat it though. So it was relegated to the freezer for later. Salmiakki, if you have not tried it you must! It's like Vegemite meets licorice., dang! And lastly S is for Sybil. Sybil the RSPCA special who for the bargain basement price of $185 has given me seven years of devotion with a few 'bad dog' moments thrown in.

One of the girls checking on the tea ...

All pets in one shot ... this is as good as it gets people.

One of the dominions seeing how edible pearls are

Yum - You can gets you some salty Finn treats here

R is for ...

2011-06-06T21:44:00.002+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'R'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

R is for 'rad' and also raspberries. Firstly, the rad is due to one of my little bird brooches making an appearance on Channel Ten's MasterChef tonight ... woot! A very kind tweep alerted me to the fact that the bird brooch was on TV. Twitter, what a wonderful little social network. Now for the raspberries part. On Sunday we strolled down to the Jan Power markets with el doggo and had some breaky a coffee and picked up some sweet-as local raspberries. Oh nom nom! That night I made chocolate mudcake cupcakes with fluffy frosting, topped with fresh raspberries. Yum, yum, pigs bum is all I can say.

If you're dead keen you can see it here in the first eight seconds of this clip.

Q is for ...

2011-06-06T07:00:00.001+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'Q'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

Q is for quail. Well, why not! I have eaten a few in my time, but their tiny little bones freak me out a bit. I like their eggs better - but just to look at, not so much to eat.

Q is for quail ... here

Cute little quail eggs in a display - from here.

P is for ...

2011-06-05T08:24:00.002+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'P'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

P is for pink. A colour I was quite averse to for a long time. But now I'm cool with it. Pink and I are friends again.

Me pinking it up in a topless Barbie car - Magnetic Island in Queensland

All these images from www.weheartit.com

O is for ...

2011-06-04T13:03:00.002+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'O'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

Ooooooohhhh! O is for all things 'ooohhh' and 'OMG I want that'. I'm currently looking at buying a tablet. Something I really don't need but feel I really do. The iPad is pretty sexy, but the whole Mac not sharing with the other kids (i.e. my USB cable from my camera) are a bit inhibiting. So after much tablet ado, I have decided to go the Android. I've justified it by saying I will be able to blog etc on the train on the way to work and we can take it on the little snow trip coming up. Oh yeah, totally need a tablet. Oh, la la! Here are some 'want' things from Etsy.

I can think of many reasons I need two bunnies made in Soviet Union, probably in Ukraine.

From my new favourite Etsy shop Soviet Vintage

Laser cut from Tasmanian Myrtle wood and 100% wool felt - warm in colour and smells like campfire!

Friggin sweet! From Sophie Hill at That Vintage.

iPad cover (hopefully also fits an Andriod made with "Unikko" Marimekko fabric

From this sweet shop - jositajosi

N is for ...

2011-06-03T08:18:00.000+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'N'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

N is for nice, stuff that is just nice. Like silly cute cupcakes just for the heck of it. Lying in the sunshine reading a good book. Pyrex, hunting for Pyrex in op-shops and finding a beautiful old piece for two bucks.

M is for ...

2011-06-02T22:02:00.001+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'M'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

Music ... I finnshed my book today on the train on the way home. Was a good little read All the Pretty Horses. So I plugged myself into my iPod and listened to some of my favorite music. Mostly, The National. How much do I love that voice, swoon.

I quite like how this YouTuber has put the song with a video of a snow storm.

I wanna hurry home to you

put on a slow, dumb show for you

and crack you up

Seeker Lover Keeper - Even Though I'm A Woman

I’ll be lying if I did not say

I love you more and I’m missing you

It’s why I’m always away

The ever amazing Beck - who is hard not to like.

L is for ...

2011-05-29T22:25:00.003+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'L'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

L is for loopy, inspired by my nut-bag of a dog, Sybil. Today we took said nut-bag for a special treat, a ride in the ute and a swim. One is happiest (when one is a dog) when flying along at 80km and hour with your nose in the wind and lunging at buses, trucks, larger utes and motorcycles. There was a lot of stick throwing, dog paddling and shaking water all over stick throwers. After the retriever impersonation we drove to Dayboro for a quiet beer at the pub, news to us it was 'Dayboro Day'. Sybil was a little overwhelmed at first by the thousands of people, but once that wore off she was back to her 'worst behaved dog in the world' self. A small piece of Dagwood Dog was used to lure her through the crowd without any casualties. Loopy dog is now tired and asleep in a little ball in the kitchen.

Dogs are the best people ... from here

Sybil (taken on a day at the beach)

A more sensible looking beach dog ... A Lomo photo from here.

K is for ...

2011-05-28T14:48:00.000+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'k'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

Last night I was at the BrisStyle indie Twilight Market - what a great night! It was a wee bit cool, but I had a nice big, new scarf on so I was pretty snug. I forgot my camera, as per usual so I have no photos. The nice Kitty Hugo took some pics for me however! Hopefully some photos from the night will get circulated ... But for now K is for Kitty.

Kitty Hugo ...

Harriet Damave ... love this shop

Vintage girl with a kitty ... from here

J is for ...

2011-05-27T09:49:00.000+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'J'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

Juicy! All things sweet and juicy and nice. Tonight I'll be at the BrisStyle indie Twilight Market in King George Square, Brisbane! The weather is super (a wee bit cold, but no rain!) so pop in from 5pm today to bag yourself some juicy handmade stuff. All the stalls are local and we all make our products. No cheap imported crap here. Everything is fresh, no added sugar 100% handmade!

Just like cherry cola ... la la la, Hungry Designs

You'll rot your teeth drinking that sweet, sweet juice ... Pannikin.

Hugs, kiss, hugs ... sweet juicy resin from Strat Designs

I is for ...

2011-05-25T07:00:00.000+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'I'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

I is for ibis, the weird, smelly birds who like to steal your chips and eat take-out from bins. The photograph is from the super cool Hey Harriet, she's a Brisbane lass. The print is from this little shop on Etsy.

H is for ...

2011-05-24T07:00:00.001+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'H'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

It's pronounced aitch, plural aitches, sometimes incorrectly haitch. It shits me to tears when people spell my name out, staring with 'haitch ...'. Here are some things from etsy that start with the letter 'aitch'.

A cute heart print ... here

A dala horse from here

Hedgehog ... these's guys are from here.

G is for ...

2011-05-23T07:00:00.001+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'G'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

Galoshes ... or more commonly know as 'Gum Boots'. Given the craptastic summer we had here in Brisbane I think galoshes are quite fitting. I hope we don't have to get them out again anytime soon. Also fingers crossed it's not gum boot weather this Friday as the BrisStyle indie Twilight Market will be on ... I'll be there with bells on.

Some very sweet galoshes illustrations.

From here.

F is for ...

2011-05-22T12:28:00.001+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'F'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

F is for fox and E really should have been for 'editing'! I missed the 'n' in turning in my new blog header, oh the shame. For someone who is a communicator by day (crafter by night), I just hate it when I make silly typos! Thank you to the eagle eye Shelley Berelli who picked up my little turn.

Cute as woodland fox ... from the talented Australian Pepper Stitches.

F is for fox ... from here

How awesome is this illustration! Here

E is for ...

2011-05-21T17:58:00.000+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'E'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

I tried egg, but most of the stuff listed under egg on Etsy looked like something you make for mother's day in year 2. Elephant was too daggy also ... so echinda it is. Monotreme inspired Etsy finds below.

A cute button ... Edward and Lilly will be at the BrisStyle Twilight Market this week.

These guys think that E is for echidna also!

A cute soft echnida from Melbourne.

D is for ...

2011-05-20T17:14:00.000+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'D'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

It's all about the donkey today, everyone loves a good ass joke! When I have my little farm house and my little farm I will have a donkey. He'll be called Bill Murray. Here are some cool asstastic Etsy finds.

Ass bag from here

Ass in my pocket ... from here

Total bad ass ... here

C is for cake ...

2011-05-18T07:10:00.006+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'C'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

Seriously, if I didn't have to work and had a sugar daddy or some sort of infinite funding option I'd stay at home all day and make stuff. Like crazy-arse cakes. This little doosie is from Sweetapolita - go check out her blog it's drool worthy.

Longtime fan of this ceramic artist ... check her out here.

Cupcakes in cups. Too cute, from here.

B is for button ...

2011-05-17T07:13:00.001+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. B is for button ...

Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'B'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

Kellie Christie does buttons Brisbane Style.

Peppermint Candy Buttons ... OMG yum and awesome at the same time.

Random and wonderful ... from here

A is for apple ...

2011-05-16T07:00:00.002+10:00

26 posts for the 26 letters of the alphabet. When I was about 10 or 11 I decided to count how many letters there were in the alphabet, just to be sure. I kept getting 27, I was like 'what the heck?' It took me a few goes to realise that "Y 'n' Z' were but two letters of the alphabet - not three!

Today's post is brought to you by the letter 'A'. When I get to Z, I will draw the REread prize pack. To win it click here and get social.

BrisStyler ... Edward and Lilly

Brisbane Etsy shop Lesa Likes ... here

Apple sans poison .. here

Win me a few fans ... Giveaway

2011-05-15T13:39:00.001+10:00

Sunday I've got facebook on my mind. So, I'm totally social 2.0 now. I have a blog, I tweet and now I'm a facebook fan page! All this social networking stuff is very addictive and I crave followers and likers like I crave salty, pickled things. So to coerce people to follow, like, adore and praise me I am giving some stuff away! Win a REread pack - packed full of upcycled goodness, brooch, some cards, something from upcycled fabric and more surprises!

To enter So all you need to do is one or all of the social networky things below -

Retweet this post
Follow my blog
Like my Facebook page -

Then you just need to let me know you're onboard by leaving me a comment. It can be a s simple as 'Done' in the comments box.

Some of the awesome things that could be in the REread pack ... they're figgin awesome. Winner will be drawn in 26 days ... at the end of the alphabet.

Let's go shopping - Pyrex, yummmmm

2011-05-14T17:06:00.004+10:00

Playing along with the Let's go shopping thing the cool cats over at BrisStyle have going on a Saturday. This week I have found some lovely, yummy Pyrex numbers. I love Pyrex, it's the crack cocaine of the neo nana.

When we buy that big farm house - I'm so having these!

From Boots N Gus

For cute butter - from here

From here

Shaneequa and Tie-sun can you please shut up, I'm trying to enjoy my breakfast

2011-05-14T12:27:00.004+10:00

I need that Joe Frost Super Nanny to attend breakfast with me so she can give the cafe latte parent set a good firm talking to. Trying to enjoy my corn fritter and cappuccino with two spoilt, little turds carrying on at the next table is annoying enough. But what really gets me mumbling obscenities under my breath is the mum who thinks her kids are angels and then makes a fuss when the wait staff give them a milkshake in the wrong cup. When the waiter didn't bring the milkshake out in under two minutes she said in voice so all tables could hear 'Do you want mummy to just go next door and buy you a chocolate milk?" Yeah, cause that's what he needs is a sugary drink.

From here

Bad Calendars

2011-05-09T21:10:00.005+10:00

Like the next guy, I like a good horse calendar. A ridiculously posed equine figure to get me through each month. The puppies, horses, kittens and babies in pot plants are the bargain bin calendar locals. Waste not want not I say. Go get yourself a 'Hot blooded Arabians' calendar for 2011 and jazz up the next six months by adding your own byline. They also make a great cheap present - next house warming rock up with a 'S&M Puppies 2012' number and give everyone a laugh. It's the kind of present that says 'I like you enough to get you a present, but I'm really just here for the goat cheese tarts I keep hearing about and I only spent $4.99.'

First Sunday in May

2011-05-02T16:00:00.004+10:00

The BrisStyle indie Twilight Market on Friday night was unfortunately a victim of the old arvo Brisbane storm. So we set up on the deck, which was lovely and dry but has less foot traffic. Also the amazing craft styling of Brisbane's coolest indie art groups was up against the wedding of the ficken decade. The amazing efforts of the BrisStyle team meant that even with bad weather, a change of venue and a royal extravaganza everyone still had a good time. Click here to see some shots (I forgot my camera!).

Brisbane turns on the weather! Photo from BrisStyle blog

On Sunday, 1 May I had a stall at the Young Designers Market - thankfully Brisbane put on a perfect Autumn day for us and it was a cracker of a market. I had a really great day!