Keep it wonky

I bought a copy of Mollie Makes on zinio as I couldn't wait for the hardcopy to hit the stands. A gorgeous crafty mag full of handmade goodness. Clever things to make, beautiful photos, lovely handmade interiors, interviews and lots of inspiration.  Kind of Martha gone edgy. 

But I've rather taken a fancy to this manifesto I saw by Aardvark.  I love the typesetting and the words. The perfect to do list.  It would look quite nice in my kitchen I think....

Old news

This morning I thought to myself, "I must write a post about that Country Style article today," when the postie delivered the May edition.  It's now officially old news. We were in last month's Country Style.

We were thrilled to be included, especially Mabel.   She's enjoying her new found fame, and we've heard from good authority that Angus, a golden retriever from down the road has Mabel's picture stuck to the wall next to his basket.  She's a pinup pup!

I was so pleased that Lauren's skirt that Elsa was wearing got such good exposure.  I had asked Angie to make some pants for Hugo too, so both children could be showing off fab Tasmanian designers, but he refused to wear them on the day. All of a sudden there's a wardrobe tantrum from Mr Gumboots-and-undies.

The feedback we've received has been very much appreciated.  Thank you for all the lovely comments, messages and for coming to our stall to say hello and buy cakes.  And thank you to Millie for the sweet post too.

In other old news, last week's issue of Grazia magazine featured a wonderful write up about our cakes and one of our recipes in Matthew's column.  Very exciting for us to get a recipe published! Woo hoo!

Finally, the old news I'm most proud off.  I recently attended an incredible dinner at Garagistes for Slow Food Hobart.  You can read all about it here.  One of my photos was included in The Mercury article, in full colour, both online and in last week's paper. With a credit.  Yay! Pretty exciting for me.

Did I get paid a fortune? Not a penny.  Do I have ambitions to become a professional photographer?  Not if I have to learn the meaning of aperture.  Was I extremely very proud? Why yes I was!

Well dear reader, that's it for old news, you heard it here last. Come back soon for more up to the minute old news.

Getting sorted

I've started a dozen posts this past fortnight and found myself too easily distracted to finish even one.  Mostly by the garden and the glorious autumn weather we've been enjoying.  I'm going to publish this one.

It's taken us a few weeks to get used to the new rhythm of school and associated going-ons.  Even though we minimise after school activities, I still find myself struggling trying to remember if it is library, piano or soccer, despite having a very nice Frankie calendar on my wall.   Problem solved by a trip the local second hand store, where I picked up on old cream cupboard door for $5 and gave it a lick of chalkboard paint.  It sits by the door so I can remember to which day grab sheet music, violin, soccer boots or home readers on the way out.  That's activities sorted, now I just have to make sure I can find the chalk. 

On the same visit, I picked up a nice old paint splattered step ladder which makes a very fine shoe rack.  Now we can get out the door without falling over a pile of shoes.  That's shoes sorted, now we just have to make sure we don't trip over Mabel, who likes to lie on the door mat in the sun.

Speaking of handsome beagles, you must keep an eye out for the next issue of a stylish country magazine, where a certain pup may just grace the cover.

Next up getting weeds sorted, getting the chooks sorted and getting the washing sorted.  Righto, back to it.

Getting off the island

 

As much as I love living in Tasmania, it is good to step onto the mainland every now and again for a fresh perspective.  I go a bit stir crazy if I haven't crossed Bass Strait in a while, and after our recent trip to Sydney I'm feeling thoroughly inspired.

One highlight was a visit to the Penrith Regional Gallery to have lunch with friends.   What started life as a grand farmhouse then became home to Margo and Gerald Lewers, is now a contemporary, super kid friendly gallery set in lush green gardens with a cafe serving the most delicious food.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s the Lewers' home, with its beautiful gardens, architecture, artworks and creative environment, was known as a place of style, innovation and hospitality.  You can read more about their amazing life here.

One room in the original house was set up as an artsists studio with easels, piles of butcher's paper and pencils for the peeps to imagine being artists. I like this idea and it's got me thinking...

I can't help feel inspired after our visit and I have lots of ideas for our own home for the garden, the studio space and the veggie patch.Yes, it's good to be home, but now there's work to do. Pass me a paintbrush please.