Sweet Fabric:
family

I've banged on before about how I've lived my life on Map 46. I was born on the map, grew up on the map & married a boy from the map. Both our siblings live close by & we spend a lot of time with our families.

It was a tearful farewell when my sister & her husband made the move to Darwin 5 years ago. We've visited often & they came back each Christmas. I thought they'd never come "home".

The decision to move back was made swiftly and definitely.

They've moved into a gorgeous house (just a stone's throw from us) & I've been helping to get them settled in. She's done a sensational job of decorating on-a-shoestring. I finished off the family room with half a dozen cushions made from Warwick Fabric samples which serendipitously pull everything together.

It feels like she never left. I'm so grateful that she's made it home.

When I read I switch of completely. I plonk myself down & read & read like a woman possessed until the book is finished. I'm sure it's not the healthiest way to devour literature & consequently I don't read as much as I'd like ... my family needs feeding after all.

I was sent Like Being a Wife (a collection of short stories) last year & found it to be the perfect antidote to my obsessive nature. I took the book a story by story just when I had a few moments ... very civilised.

The wet, windy and grey few days in Queensland meant that I had the luxury of having absolutely nothing to do. I spent a lazy afternoon finishing Like Being a Wife by Australian author Catherine Harris.

Catherine writes beautifully. She is witty & wordy & wonderful. I highly recommend this work of fiction to you all.

Giant thumbs up Catherine.

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Catherine Harris interviewed.

Like Being a Wife from the publisher.

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I missed a day.

I had uploaded a couple of pics and then my internet dropped out...I was in Queensland. Then I dunno it just seemed wrong to be blathering on about my stuff when there was so much going on.

Safely back in Melbourne I'm thinking a LOT about the floods and those who have lost (& are yet to lose) homes & family.

She's a force.

What a lovely "welcome back" I received. Thank you all for your keen support.

The big girl has some vile gastric thing. She's small & thin & really can't afford a couple of days off the tooth. I'm crossing everything that the rest of us don't fall like flies.

The mattress has been dragged downstairs, off the carpet & in front of the Teev. It's just the way things roll in our house. You get sick & you move to the family room...a hangover from when I was a kid. I think a mattress on the floor is much more comfy than the sweaty brown vinyl couch I enjoyed as a kid.

Buddy sleeps on his own dog bed...always. BUT a comfy bed on the floor was simply too much for him to resist & I thought he looked so gorgeous so I left him.

Hoping she's back to her normal self quick sticks as she has quite a lovely crafty plan.

Despite the week long threat of rain & thunder storms, Saturday was the perfect day.

We all trundled out to the Yarra Valley for the wedding of my gorgeous cousin & her gorgeous fella.

My smallest was not officially in the bridal party but she's got a fair bit of spunk & kind of wangled her way in anyway. She did actually look like she belonged which was a happy coincidence.

The little dress was picked up at the Op Shop a few weeks ago. It's raw silk & still had the tags on it. OK so it's a size 4 & she's so not 4 but I think she looks super cute.

Since my disastrous ebay chaise purchase I've been on the hunt for a little sofa/settee/love seat for the space under the window in the family room.

Most of our furniture has been handed down, rescued, opped or picked up on the side of the road. This was not. It was purchased from 20th Century Scandinavia, 79 Lygon Street in Brunswick (9387 2664). That place is like heaven on earth. I was spoilt for choice!

I'm very pleased with the way everything has come together. I whipped up the cushions yesterday from a Warwick Fabric sample.

Read Lucy's post on 20th Century Scandinavia here.

The pencil scribble turned into a lino cutting adventure.

I had a lovely busy weekend...on the hook, on the lino, on the click, in the kitchen & with my family.

There was also a minor (but controlled) adventure with fire.

Not really sure if these guys are happy or running for their lives...

I'm a glass half full kind of girl so I'm ... choosing to see them as happy ... choosing happy for me & for my lovely family too ... & choosing a happy weekend for you all.

...the days
...the river
...my heart

What a gorgeous weekend we had!

The smallest (with gearless bike) wanted to go for a bike ride. We headed for Dights Falls...she wanted to go further...through the Children's Farm...up the huge stairs in Abbotsford...detour through Richmond...and all the way into the city...smallest commentary the WHOLE way...over 30 kilometres...I like a kid with heart.

The kids watched a street performer in Fed Square & then we packed our bikes on the train. It was just a short ride home in the semi dark from the station.

It'll be one of those days they remember forever.

& a little bit of making for me on Sunday too.

Just a bit of Monday eye candy really.

Isn't it beautiful? I picked it up at The Mill a while ago & it's just full of gorgeous supplies. My favourite treasure inside is the black & white stripey Myer bag which is filled with cut ribbon. It's a long time since anything from Myer came in a striped paper bag & I'm sure I can't remember anyone I know buying haberdashery from them.

Our weekend was relatively lazy - I can feel spring in the air & I'm thrilled about it. The Big Girl finished The Kite Runner on Saturday & the two of us sobbed our way through the movie yesterday.

Hoping that you had a fabulous weekend.

It's been an amazing week in my neck of the woods.

Just truly gorgeous things have been happening over the last seven days...

My sister & her family are coming home!!! You can't even imagine how insanely happy this has made me.

An amazing, amazing person sent me THE NECKLACE in the mail! Just a totally inspiring act of generosity.

I've received sweet handwritten notes, posts & lovely, lovely emails from internet mates. You know who you are and I thank you from the very bottom of my heart.

Finally, yesterday for no particular reason Auntie Pat gifted me a box of lambswool/angora Anny Blatt. This is an incredible treat.

All those years ago when I worked at Woolcraft I used to spend far too long "tidying" the Anny Blatt shelves so that I could enjoy the luxury of this yarn. I imagined that one day I'd be able to make something amazing with it.

Totally inspired by Assemblage & Aunty Cookie I've cast on a few stitches.