Sweet Fabric [Search results for LIFE

  • On my desk - the players...

    1/4 of an inch
    3 red buttons
    62 cherry
    a little bird told me
    air: work in progress
    Allsorts
    Anna-Lisa
    Aprons & Hammers
    Art with a Soul
    August Street
    Beaded Lady
    Betty in the Kitchen
    Big Cats Emporium
    Boobook Sausage Dogs
    Bowerbirdz
    Bridget's Flame
    Bug and Pop
    Cassandra Allen
    Celestina Carmen
    Cloud Cakes
    Collective Elements
    Cooking my Life
    Cool.According.To.Kylie
    Crafty Doodads
    crafty remix: djbebe
    Creating Nunde
    Curly Pops
    Daily dose of inspiration
    Daisy Chain
    Daydream Lily
    Dear Fii
    Design for Mankind
    details homegoods
    domoshar
    doobleh-vay
    Dragonflies eat Mosquitoes
    Earl & Cookie
    Edward & Lilly
    fancypicnic
    florcita
    flutterby patch
    etc etc
    Glorydaze
    going green
    Growing Together
    G.R.Y.B at home
    Handmaiden
    Hanies
    Hanna's Life is Cool
    her heart my hands
    Hokey
    Honi Design
    Hop Skip Jump
    if only i had chocolate
    iSew
    janene renee
    Jelly Baby Blog
    Jogirl's Journey
    Journalette
    Judy's Notebook
    kerri's provincial patch
    Kiddio
    Kimberly Michelle
    Kittys Kaboodle
    Knit Owl
    konnykards
    Last Stop Muse
    Laugh Out Loud Dolls
    Lauren Williams Handmade
    Leni and Rose
    Lilli Boo
    little letters
    Loobylu
    Made by Molly
    Mainichi Design
    maya*made
    Meet me at Mikes
    Miss Muggins
    mon petit lapin
    monda loves
    musings from the fish bowl
    No life without wife
    no pod
    One Girl
    One Red Robin
    Owlet
    Peapods
    Pigeon Pair
    pink licorice life
    Pint's Palette
    planet treasures
    Pot aux roses
    Precarious Tomato
    Project Incomplete
    puddle wonderful
    Recuperation of Nathalie Brault
    Roots and Leaves
    September Bird
    Sew What
    Shabby Chicken
    Silly Gilly
    Slip cover Diva
    Starashan
    Strawberry Kisses
    Strawberry Season
    Studio Window
    Super Monkey
    Swirlyarts
    Taccolina
    Teacups on Treetops
    Teddy Bears Wednesday
    Textilosophy Oz
    turtle club queen
    The Crafty Librarian
    The Essess
    Twenty Cent Mixture
    Two Cheese Please
    The acorn collective
    The Bird Bath
    The Lark
    The Monday Project
    The Natchbox
    Thimbly Things
    Thousand Threads
    Three Buttons
    tis rhubarb
    Tissue papers
    TreeFall Design
    truth be told
    tsk tsk
    unbecominglily
    vanilla pixie
    whosies
    wide eyed wonderfuls
    you SEW girl
    your cover's blown

    On my desk... is posted on a Wednesday. It's just a shot of your desk & maybe a bit of banter. Let us know what you're working on or what interesting bits & pieces have crossed your desk during the week.

    There is a wonderful blog here - sharing the desks & creative spaces of really clever creative folk. I only found out about this blog after the Wednesday thing began...

    Our Wednesday gig is just a bit of fun.

    Comment on this post if you decide to play along & I'll add you to the link list.

    This list will be updated frequently so feel free to join at any time.

    There is no obligation at all - post when you feel like it. Just super casual & a bit of fun.

    Button Code if you'd like it:

    <a href=" http://kootoyoo.blogspot.com/"><img src="//farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2607211450_e50e1fc40b.jpg?v=0"/></a>

  • Are you a Gambler?...

    Are you a Gambler?...
    The Gambler Series

    Copyright December 09...Kirsty Macafee

    If you only know me on the blog you'd be forgiven for thinking that I'm not much for the words. My posts here are short & sharp, but in real life there's a lot of chat, both out loud & internal. I think about words a lot. They are important. I try to choose my own words carefully (& consider the impact they have on others).

    I really truly think that The Gambler is one of life's true ACES. "Every hand's a winner & every hand's a loser".

    So after my fold post last week I set about making the series. I really enjoyed the relationship between the house of cards & the lyrics & the whole life's a balancing act thing. Now there's "an ace that I could keep".

    I'm pretty confident that these'll be a hit over here & here too.

    They now hang as posters over the kitchen.

    The Gambler Posters

    Copyright December 09...Kirsty Macafee

  • Fold

    Fold

    Fold, originally uploaded by kootoyoo.

    BigPond is down due to the storms in our area. Have managed to upload a pic using fancy phone which I've yet to learn how to use properly.

    I'm feeling almosst myself today and looking forward to checking out the creative spaces once we are back online.

    The Gambler is pretty important in my life.

    I'm notorious for thinking everything will take 20 minutes (including moving house). I really need to get the old life resolved ... quick smart! I have (as per usual) bitten off more than I can chew.

    I've given my apologies to the Daylesford Makers Market girls. I'm sorry not to be there but I'm folding before the whole house of cards comes crashing down. Hope you understand and if you're going to Daylesford for the market - have a ball - it promises to be a great event.

  • The one where I talk about...

    The one where I talk about...

    30 days of the everyday.

    First things first, let's get the housekeeping out of the way. Here are the contents of my packages from yesterday.

    These beautiful necklaces from Chocolate & Steel. How cute is her receipt - a little paper plane.

    Some of Lara's fabric. I'm looking forward to making something special with these.

    Finally a not photoworthy little book which I purchased online & I'm pretty excited about.

    And now about the 30 days...

    I have gained so much from this 30 day gig. I'm pretty much a head down bum up kind of girl & I really thought that having this blog had made me "stop & smell the roses".

    The 30 days proved me wrong. I've found myself really taking stock of what & who is around me & valuing & appreciating the hand I'm playing at the moment. It's a good life - even when it feels a bit out of control. I'm so lucky & I'm really focussing on living my life to the full & making the most of every minute.

    I read this interview with Kristi Arnold on Design for Mankind during my 30 days & I wanted to share this snippet...

    Best advice anyone ever gave you?
    K: Don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Seek them out, create your own options. I think a lot of people get stuck in places...waiting for something big to happen...then 10 years pass by and they are still in the same place, wondering what happened.

  • On The Date...

    On The Date...

    I loved reading Nan's post on The Frenchman & so I've put together one of my own. I confess I've not received questions about The Date. Hailing from suburban Melbourne doesn't really conjour the same romantic ideal does it? I do know that he's won over more than a few of you with his taste in music.

    Where did you meet The Date?
    The Date & I have known each other for 25 years! We met when I was in Year 7 & he was in Year 10. Our family homes were about 2 kilometres from each other. In those days he made himself scarce when I was in the house because he reckoned I was way too loud and annoying. We've been together for 19 years...more than 1/2 my life.

    Does The Date have an accent?
    No accent but he is guilty of mumbling and he and The Boy do speak a language that I don't understand. They speak in tongues about all manner of sporty things.

    Is he a romantic?
    Nup, but he is thoughtful. He makes lunches, pretty drinks, brings me coffees & is very kind about being the "crap courier". To be truthful I don't think I respond that well to romantic gestures anyway.

    Would you recommend The Date (local) as a life partner?
    Yes I absolutely would. We've grown up together, so very different from when we met and so very much the same. The Date is pretty cruisy. He's my very best friend, a really good person and an amazing parent. If you can snag yourself a version of him...hang on tight...they are pretty hard to find.

  • Does everything get...

    Does everything get...

    better with age?

    I know all about fine wine & friendships, but I've really been considering this question lately.

    Not normally one to appreciate the views, flora & fauna I have found myself breathless at the beauty of my surroundings often recently. I'm pretty sure this isn't caused by low iron levels but a genuine appreciation of my life, the people in it & my world.

    I used to roll my eyes at my parents when they stopped to appreciate the view or some other natural beauty. Is it true that we will one day become our parents?

    Today I was lucky enough to witness the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen in my life. The cloud formation above the Lonsdale lighthouse was a flaming orange & a small pool of crystal clear blue sky appeared to be a mirage in an endless desert.

    Sadly, running with an Olympus isn't really very easy but I'm pretty committed & I'm going to have a crack at it tomorrow morning.

    Just a little aside: Due to the super slow & very relaxed nature of dial up I can't comment on your blogs or send emails but I thank you all for stopping by & look forward to catching up properly when I'm better connected.

  • This is...how I recycle

    This is...how I recycle

    I am pretty good at recycling. We reduce, reuse & recycle wherever possible.

    Re-crafted, repurposed, recreated & reverse art is my greatest crafty pleasure.

    I prefer to make stuff from things that have had a previous life. I source my craft materials from: "rubbish" from our daily life, op shops & reverse art.

    This is my recrafted toadstool pincushion - made entirely from "waste" products/materials. I made it last Monday at Brown Owls.

  • My creative space...

    My creative space...
    CropAdile

    The Big Bite is here!

    I've been mucking around with spacing of holes & I'm almost ready to make a start. It won't be today though (I'm working). It won't be tomorrow (I've friends for lunch). It won't be Saturday either (I'm ferrying kids around all day). Pity about life getting in the way really.

    Hoping that you're finding time in your life for plenty of makings.

    Lovely space from last week right here.

    Sorry about the Link man having an afternoon snooze last week. Hopefully he's had his coffee this morning.

    Don't forget to pop in & add your link if you're playing along this week.

  • Found photos...

    Found photos...

    The order of the bath

    I'm playing along with Bricolage Life & posting one of my found photos.

    I have an album owned by Jessie Jamieson & dated 1922. I bought it because one of my dearest friends is a Jamieson.

    I love getting lost in these images & just imagining what life must have been like. Jessie was a Melbourne girl & a pretty serious adventurer for the time. She travelled as far as Belgrave, Warburton, Lorne, Lakes Entrance & Sydney.

    The images are held in a leather photo album & this image is titled "The order of the bath". The girls must be sisters because they all appear in many of the photos in the album.

    Oh & if you are thinking that this crafty blog aint too crafty you'd be right & it's getting to me a bit.

    I have been doing a fair bit of crafting it's just the top secret kind. Hopefully I'll have something crafty to share tomorrow.

  • The sum of us...

    The sum of us...
    Sum of us

    Andrea
    Bindi
    Carole
    Cassie
    Emily
    Jo
    Kelly

    -Nova
    a card a day
    -Jessica
    a life so peachy
    -Jenny
    allsorts
    -Shannon
    aunty cookie
    -Amy
    badskirt
    -Daria
    bird flew
    -Sosser
    bricolagelife
    -Cherry
    bright red cherries
    -Jessica
    button beauty
    -Sheridan
    chalet girl
    -Chedderfish
    Chedderfish
    -Gina
    clutterpunk
    -Nicole
    craftapalooza
    -Cam
    curly pops
    -Jenni
    embellish
    -Mel
    emmstarr
    -Alison
    frutejuce
    -Jodi
    goddess jodi
    -Evie
    handmade romance
    -Bec
    honi design
    -Liesl
    hoppo bumpo
    -Rachel
    idle pines
    -Gretchen
    june at noon
    -Kirsty
    kootoyoo
    -Lisa
    lil sonny sky
    -Myf
    long ago tales
    -Claire
    loobylu
    -Maya
    maya*made
    -Pip
    meet me at mikes
    -Caroline
    maika creations
    -Sandra
    miau mau
    -Midge
    midge & judy
    -Peta-Jane
    milly molly mandy loves to quilt
    -Leah
    mini monty
    -Jessica
    miss fancy tumbles
    -Miya
    miya
    -Nikki
    my black cardigan
    -Tania
    myrtle & eunice
    -Angelique
    no life without wife
    -Ginevra
    occasional glimpses
    -Emma
    one & four
    -Kate
    one flew over
    -Christie
    pigeon pair
    -Polka Dot Rabbit
    polkadot rabbit
    -Tamara
    quarter of an inch
    -Nan
    rummage
    -Bianca
    sadie & lance
    -Lara
    thornberry
    -Jane
    thunder road
    -Lou
    totally innocent
    -Trash
    trashcan
    -Michelle
    two and six
    -Naomi
    two little buttons
    -Linda
    two pink possums
    -Jeana
    unbecominglily
    -Yana
    white mouse creations
    -Fran
    wishthimble
    -Nic
    yardage girl
    -Jonathan
    yoho the rattlin

  • My stuff featured elsewhere ...

    My stuff featured elsewhere ...

    Fabric from one of my favourite vintage dresses

    Every once in a while something of mine turns up somewhere super lovely.

    Just for the record:

    -----
    Apartment Therapy
    The Apartment Therapy Mission
    Helping people make their homes more beautiful, organized and healthy by connecting them to a wealth of resources, ideas and community online.

    What We Believe
    A calm, healthy, beautiful home is a necessary foundation for happiness and success in the world.

    Creating this home doesn’t require large amounts of money or space. It requires inspiration, connection to resources and motivation to do something about it.

    The basic elements of good home design can be learned and achieved by all.

    Simplicity and luxury are not mutually exclusive.

    Spool holder

    -----
    Craftzine
    Introducing CRAFT: The first project-based magazine dedicated to the renaissance that is occurring within the world of crafts. Celebrating the DIY spirit, CRAFT's goal is to unite, inspire, inform and entertain a growing community of highly imaginative and resourceful people who are transforming traditional art and crafts with unconventional, unexpected and even renegade techniques, materials and tools; people who undertake amazing crafting projects in their homes and communities.
    Christmas Decorations, Corner Bookmark, Granny Square Necklace, Spool holder

    -----
    Craft Gossip
    Confused about everything crafty out there? Not sure where to go and what to buy for your latest craft idea? Can't find that kitsch pattern that everyone else is talking about? Well worry no more! CraftGossip is all the latest news from real craft people telling you about the real stuff. We scour the net looking for the best craft ideas and projects and review them for you.
    Corner Bookmark, Embroidery on Dark Fabric, Hand pieced Pincushion, Photo to embroidery pattern, Twisted Cord

    -----
    Mixtape Zine
    Mix tape zine is a collision of craft, eco-cool and pop culture kitsch it features recipes, eco tips, crafty people profiles, ethical business practices etc - you can purchase back issues here or find out more here. Find Justine here and Nichola’s blog here.
    my collection in issue 6

    -----
    Nuts about Needlepoint
    An encyclopedia of needlepoint and thread information for all stitchers. Learn about Janet M. Perry's needlepoint projects, read book and product reviews, and find articles about techniques, threads, and more
    Twisted Cord

    -----
    One Pretty Thing
    One Pretty Thing is a daily website dedicated to bringing you inspiring projects for a more beautiful life.
    Corner Bookmark, Drawstring Bag, Embroidered carry all, Embroidery on dark fabric, Fabric Notebook Cover, Photo to Embroidery Design, Quilt Quiver, Tealight Holder, Twisted Cord

    -----
    Quilting Board
    The Quilter's message board.
    Thank you Sondray for linking to my projects.

    -----
    Sew Mama Sew
    You’ll find some handy sewing tips and inspiration. Whether you’re just learning to sew, or have been sewing forever.

    The Sew,Mama,Sew! blog is pulled together each week by Kristin and Beth. Who both sew whenever they can and love fabric with a passion.

    If you’re looking for fabulous fabric and patterns, please take a look at the Sew,Mama,Sew! store.

    Drawstring Backpack, How to fold a fat quarter

    -----
    Tipnut
    I think we all have them, those mile high piles of household tips and life hacks that we’ve collected over the years. They’re messy, disorganized and once they’ve been ‘filed’, those tips are nowhere to be found again.

    TipNut.com isn’t anything fancy. It’s simply my way of putting together all the cool tricks I’ve accumulated over the years into a simple, searchable, online filing box–this website. Some of them I’ve tried, some of them I don’t know if I’ll ever try. But I do know they’ll be here if I need them–and I’m happy to freely share everything with you too!
    Simple square pincushion

    -----
    Whip Up
    Whip up: To prepare quickly. To excite. To create. To incite. To build. To invent. To conceive. To push. To upset. To manufacture. To provoke.

    This website has been created in order to bring the best original and exciting crafts to the attention of many.
    To create a community of artists, crafters and makers and share ideas in a central space.

    Embroidered Carry All, Embroidery on Dark Fabric, Corner Bookmark, Handpieced Pincushion, Pillowcase Shoulder Bag, Sausage Dog CD cover, Simple Square Pincushion, Toadstool Pincushion

    Thank you lovely folk for the thumbs up. It's much appreciated.

  • Friday Archives & a favour...

    Friday Archives & a favour...

    Friday Archives hosted by Loobylu

    Shot of the school girls at my big fat bogan wedding - 1995.

    Eeek...one of my very bestest friends from school has just started a blog.

    I owe her a lot. If she hadn't helped me pass Art by giving me all her art history assignments in Year 10 I'd have been doomed to a Year 11 full of Accounting & Economics (no pre-requisites). Instead I spent a glorious year swanning around the textiles, garment construction, ceramics, print making & painting studios.

    Anyway, she would really love some feedback on what I KNOW will be a journey in creative writing worth following.

    I'm loving reading all about the life & times of Jamie (much like many of us with small kids & an exec husband) & her twin sister Lisa (humanitarian & student of life).

    She's really good at drinking games. So if you feel like a relaxing Friday afternoon this is the place.

  • One...

    One...

    the loneliest number
    & the loneliest word. I wanted to say more a LOT!

    Apparently it's been going around...I don't know where it originated but I got it from Pip, who got it from Sweet Jessie who heard from her best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend who heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with a girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night...you know how it goes.

    1. Where is your cell phone? car
    2. Your significant other? upstairs
    3. Your hair? thick
    4. Your daughter? two
    5. Your son? one
    6. Your favorite thing? family
    7. Your dream last night? unknown
    8. Your favorite drink? vodka
    9. Your goal? balance
    10. The room you’re in? office
    11. Your church? outdoors
    12. Your fear? thoughtlessness
    13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Lonsdale
    14. Where were you last night? movies
    15. What you’re not? idle
    16. Muffins? nup
    17. One of your wish list items? bangles
    18. Where you grew up? Kew
    19. The last thing you did? glue
    20. What are you wearing? dress
    21. Your TV? off
    22. Your pets? OUTSIDE!
    23. Your computer? old
    24. Your life? full
    25. Your mood? tired
    26. Missing someone? Bindi
    27. Your car? Kia
    28. Something you’re not wearing? glasses
    29. Favorite store? mikes
    30. Your summer? lovely
    31. Like(love) someone? LOTS
    32. Your favorite color? brown
    33. Last time you laughed? yesterday
    34. Last time you cried? Unsure
    35. Who will repost this? You?

    .

  • Friday Archives...

    Friday Archives...

    Friday Archives hosted by Loobylu.

    Here I was thinking I was done with the archives & little treasures keep popping up.

    These tassles were made by my sister & me (attached to the scissors) in about 1991. Our gorgeous & super talented next door neighbour ran Saturday afternoon workshops for us all.

    Those Saturday afternoon memories are so vivid. All the women & girls in our little community (3 houses, 7 girls, 2 boys, 3 mothers, 1 father, 5 dogs, 1 cat & a lot of laughter), gathered at number 7 for long afternoons of stitching & giggling.

    It's a good life.

    * I'm back from Darwin...Thank you to all the wonderful people who left such lovely comments on my marathon post. I'm popping in for a cuppa, just running a little late.

  • A week of special stuff...

    A week of special stuff...

    Pip's hosting a week of special stuff.

    I am trying to be less about the "stuff". Only about half our current haul of stuff is going to move with us when the new house is ready. This absolutely makes the cut. It's a Redwork friendship quilt made for my great grandmother by Canadian hands.

    Made all the more special by of all the women who contributed their stitches and time. I love to run my fingers over those stitches and imagine the women who sat and stitched these blocks. So different from my own life and yet so very much the same.

    Did you know that stitches are like signatures? Historians can tell which of the stitches were stitched by Hilda and Joan and Merle!

  • The week that was...

    The week that was...

    REWARDING
    Snippets from my week.

    Last week Jhoanna & Pip both made predictions/suggestions for what lay ahead. I've gone with rewarding because it was easier & I'm feeling a bit slack.

    -Being able to help out some gorgeous friends both with blogs & without...rewarding.

    -Making time for 5 new beginnings - I'm addicted to beginnings...rewarding.

    -Being challenged (& stepping up) by this lovely soul. She's given me so many crafty nudges over the last 12 months and it has meant lots of new beginnings...rewarding.

    -Being reminded that when life gets in the way of the things you love it's OK to say "no"...rewarding

    -Pushing myself on my Friday run when I really couldn't be fagged...rewarding.

  • Words & pictures...souvenirs

    Words & pictures...souvenirs

    When we arrive in the delivery suite there’s a little crib set up with blue blankets. It confirms in my crazy labour mind what I already know in my heart to be true. This little bubba is going to be a boy.

    After a fast and furious (but strangely enjoyable labour) he is here. Big blue eyes, long lashes and the most perfect Caesar haircut.

    A mumma’s boy right from the start he makes the first few days pretty hard and I’m keen to get home. I loved the hospital stay the first time around and can’t understand why I’m feeling so trapped here now.

    I’ve packed our bag and I’m just waiting for the squawk so I can feed him, change him and get him dressed to go home.

    As I remove the little flannelette hospital gown I trace the outline of the love heart and the “C” on his chest. I tell myself firmly to throw it on the bathroom floor with the rest of the dirty laundry.

    I can’t.

    I’ve never stolen anything…ever and I’m feeling a bit sick. I try to justify to myself why it would be okay for me to take it home with me. I know it’s completely the wrong thing to do, but for the first time in my life I really don’t care.

    I stuff the little gown into the side pocket of our overnight bag. I feel my heart begin to race. I can hear it thumping in my ears. The heat and redness in my cheeks has risen steadily from my toes. My breathing quickens and I stare anxiously at the telephone. I’m willing it to ring.

    Finally, the phone does ring and I gather my baby, my bag and myself. I flick off the light and head for the elevator. I just want to get myself, my baby and my hospital gown as far away from the scene of the crime as I can.

    With heart still pounding I walk briskly through the hospital foyer and out into the cold July night. I’m thankful for the darkness and the freshness in the air.

    More souvenir stories here.

  • Every cloud has a silver lining...

    Every cloud has a silver lining...

    He's my finished Softie for Mirabel.

    I’ve become very emotionally attached to him - we’ve been through a lot together.

    He began life as left over wool suiting & a remnant from an after 5 number…I’d been patiently waiting for the silver since November last year & I’m pretty sure he’d been waiting for me too.

    Together we’ve struggled, fought & made a more than a few mistakes but we’ve dusted ourselves off and made firm friends.

    I knew it was all going to work out because he never stopped smiling. Now he’s here and he is going to be hard to say farewell to. I’ve poured my heart & soul into this little fella.

    You know…he’s a bit rough around the edges, he’s had his share of knocks & he’s got a few battle scars to prove it. But look at what those tough times have revealed…

    a silver lining - it has made him who he is, given him character and fleshed out his personality.

    He’s a good sort

    He’s off to have his 15 minutes of fame in the Meet Me at Mikes window & then I know he’s going to make some somebody a very good friend.

    You can find out more about the Softies for Mirabel appeal here.

    I'm normally not that fond of the sewing machine - it's a means to an end in my opinion. But...I've had so much joy in the making of my silver lined cloud!

  • I'd love to have these guys as parents...

    I'd love to have these guys as parents...

    What a life this little baby is destined for!

    Last year I saw really cool side sleeper for babies & thought how super cute they were & now I've received this via email from my cousin.

    What a lucky baby to have this magnificent side sleeping bed made with such love by both his/her parents. It's absolutely the BEST thing I've ever seen & I'm so proud to be related to these guys.

  • Excellent Melbourne Tradespeople & the old house...

    Excellent Melbourne Tradespeople & the old house...

    What I've been doing for the last month (& a bit)!

    Thought you guys might like a tour of the old place.

    Obviously not our furniture but I did do the bathroom & had to kitchenify the kitchen (nobody I know has three pairs of vases in their kitchen).

    Trades I've used (& heartily recommend). This should be the "go to" list for Melbourne folk.

    A bit of back history...I used to work in Property Management so I've dealt with a lot of tradespeople in my time & these guys were all amazingly accommodating & just a pleasure to deal with. I'm sharing them with you because I know how hard it is to find good tradespeople & it's so helpful to have referrals.

    Garden Maintenance:
    LC Mowing
    Lucas 0409 998 508
    This guy is a machine! I have never in my life seen a skip packed so neatly or efficiently. He just goes & goes until the job is done. If you need your lawns done, weeding & general garden tidy up then Lucas is your man.

    Builder:
    Glen Johnston Home Improvements
    Glen 0414 325 722
    Professional, helpful & extremely particular. Just absolutely top quality workmanship. Glen's the man if you're renovating or building in Melbourne's East.

    Plumber:
    Marty 0438 771 007
    Just a complete champion. It seems to me that finding a good plumber is like the quest for the holy grail. Marty is it!

    Electrician:
    Armadale Electrical
    9509 9133
    Gary was "my" electrician when I worked in Armadale & frankly I'd never use another electrician. The guys from Armadale Electrical are all super professional & just lovely blokes.

    General Maintenance:
    Polished Properties Maintenance Group
    Mark 0438 019 994
    Mark was recommended by our Real Estate Agent as the guy "who does it all". He co-ordinated painters & carpenters & general maintenance items. He's professional & a pleasure to deal with.

    Concrete:
    RL Concreting
    John 1300 790 775
    John did the driveway at our new house (which is exposed aggregate) & also helped us out at the old house. He's professional, prompt & a pleasure to deal with. He went above & beyond offering advice & options for us.

    Render:
    Jolley Textures
    Reegan 0425 773 684
    The house was rendered about twelve months ago & it's transformed it! Probably the best thing we did for the place which was previously a hideous orange brick. Reegan was extremely flexible & professional & will be coming back to the new place to render our new fence.

    Garden Design:
    Imperial Gardens
    Tracey 0419 200 116
    Tracey came in & offered practical advice on excellent low maintenance (& not too costly) garden design. The difference the plantings have made to the house is unbelievable. Imperial Gardens have some pretty impressive "cap feathers" in Toorak & Hawthorn & Tracey is offering consultations so that you can DIY. She works with what you have & offers no nonsense solutions to maximise the look of the property.

    Further details on the house can be obtained from Tom Ryan (0413 872 550) at Jellis Craig.