Hiatus....

....in my blogging. Sorry.

Words have eluded me of late- maybe due to the holiday season? My words have most probably gone on vacation.

I have been planning, sketching and working out things to do with markets and making stuff...a re-evaluation maybe? Changing things, designing different things (which most of the time, don't work out)...pretty much just playing around.

I have been beating small sheets of copper with a mallet, just to see what happens (I'm sure you know what happens), twisting wire around wood chips and generally being elusive to the nagging voice in my head to start building up stock levels again....silly voice!

So while I have orders to fill and lots of things to do, I have been planning my next projects and trying new things.

I hope everybody has a safe holiday period. I'm not really into the whole new year resolution thing- I think I'm going to take each day as it comes in 2012.

x

Crazy times calls for crazy measures.

It's been a crazy, busy few days here in Owl city.

Mr Owl was on call for work, all week and weekend (including the public holidays), so the entertaining of the children was done by me. So what did I do?

I did a big clean out of the house, and the kids helped me (muhahahaha, says the evil mother), It was mainly inspired by this wardrobe- a find on ebay. And it has fantastic storage space.

Still in two minds whether to paint, or not to paint...

So I started to move things into it- which started the ball rolling, and by Christmas day I had a whole car load to go to the second hand/ charity shop. I was ruthless (as my father in law would say, without Ruth?) and determined.

I managed to declutter my very small bedroom as well. I removed most things that was under my bed, a chest of drawers and another storage cupboard. I only have my bed and bed side tables- and I feel great!! I love my bedroom- it's very cosy! (another word for too darn small)

Yes, my bedside tables are full- but of things I love! P.S sorry about the lighting

I have also started to make curtains for my living room. My sewing machine is broken (hopefully going in to see the doctor in a couple of weeks) so I have started doing it by hand- but I think I'm enjoying it! It has been 3 years, and even thought the flimsy white material, held by nails has aided my privacy, it's time to make things a little more formal. I'm not really a fan of curtains- if I had it my way, there would be no curtains at all! However, I'm complying with the privacy needed by those in my household.

I have decided to go with calico. I love calico because it's raw and non invasive. AND, it's also very cheap and readily available. I'm making them quite full and adding a beautiful trim from Tessuti fabrics (a very nice place to be)....lets hope it works out..

Hoping everybody is enjoying the holiday period......oh, and you know those candles my daughter and I made? Somebody wants to buy some from her.....she's pretty stoked!

x

Wordless Wednesday

Clogs and Coffee Candles.

I've never owned a pair, but I've always wanted a pair of clogs. I've always been told that wearing a piece of wood is surprisingly comfy. Really? The problem is, whenever I think of them I think of these:

Odd shape boats that you put on your feet

and these:

Painted, odd shape boats that you put on your feet

and if I did buy a pair, yodelling would most probably follow and I'm sure this will start playing in my car (play it! you won't regret it!)

But, alas! I have found a nice pair that is super comfy- it's like wearing flats! (and I think I'm 3 inches taller when wearing them)

I bought them from here. (Lotta from Stockholm)They are so comfortable, I wear them at home (those who know me, flats are my friend)

My big girl (the 9 year old owl) is obsessed with making things. She thinks she's found what she loves doing and so I have been teaching her to do them. She has decided she wants to make candles and soap- which is great! I love making them too, and she's decided to make them in odd cups and bowls we've found on our travels:

So today, we have been busy making a few to give to her teachers as a thank you for the year. She is using  soy wax and her favourite smell is Vanilla and Coffee. Yum!

They look fantastic and I hope her teachers love them! (she is angling for markets because she wants to buy a car?!?! but we'll see, young lady)

I had a blistering 2 market weekend last weekend (crazy)...more about that later!

have a great day tomorrow

x

Achtung baby!

Maybe time to move around things in the house.

This Saturday I will be here, flogging my stuff:





Blackbird market, Brunswick Street, Fitzroy....11am-4pm.......it's gonna be fun!

x

Walter's ecstatic!

Walter was very happy today.



He had his third lesson with Norma- and he seems to be keeping in tune!

I have a long way to go, and I seriously need to practise on my legato (smooth playing) between my úp bow' and 'down bow' transition.

I also learnt a bit of pizzicato today (plucking the strings with your right hand) and staccato (articulated, short spaces between the notes).

I'm very addicted to the feeling of playing the violin- the low vibration moving up from my shoulder to my ear and the smell of the wood.

Growing up, my mother always had her "stoopid" music on (teenager term for classical music) and it is only in recent years, that I've come to appreciate it.

 Itzhak Perlman, who is probably the most famous and talented violinist around, can play a mean violin....despite having sausage fingers, he plays it with grace and makes it look so easy! He plays with a napkin under his chin, resting on the violin (I'm guessing more for the sweat factor and not so much for the nacho's) and he also plays sitting down due to having polio when he was a young boy.

 For those that will appreciate, here is a beautiful peace of music...

Hope you have a lovely day- I'm off to prepare for Saturday's market

x

Saturday, Sunday, Monday makings brought to you by Tuesday.

wood branch with silhouette bird, sealed on s/s chain

tiny painted Matryoska doll on s/s chain

dome setting

chunky resin pendant on s/s chain

A weird, colourfull, chunky ring

tumbled pottery on s/s chain.

a feather in resin set on a s/s chain

A very cool wedding video and yummy food.

very inspiring.....

I recently saw a very cute and cool sneak peak of a wedding video....it is so beautiful. You can view it here...

It makes me want to get married again (don't worry Mr Owl, I'll still choose you)

Tonight for dinner, I made a very healthy yummy dinner- Moroccan Apricot Chicken in a Tagine (you can still use a saucepan if you want)

2 tsp olive oil
8 individual chicken drumstick, skin removed, lovely legs (why, thank you) 1kg
1 medium brown onion (to make you bawl)
2 individual fresh garlic, crushed (to keep people away)
1 Tbsp Moroccan seasoning
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup Apricot Nectar
2 medium carrots cut into 2cm pieces
1 medium red capsicum, 2cm pieces
2 medium zucchini, cut into....yep, you guessed it, 2cm pieces
240g drained chickpeas
150g couscous (i used rice to appease the little owls)
2 Tbs flaked almonds
1/4 cup coriander

heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat and cook the chook in batches for 2-3 minutes or until burnt browned. Transfer onto plate and add the onions to the pan and cook, stirring for 3-5 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic and seasoning and cook stirring for 30 seconds. stir in the stock and nectar. Return the rooster to the pan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for 20 minutes, turning mother hen halfway through. Add the carrot and capsicum and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the zucchini and chickpeas and cook for 5 minutes or until veggies are tender. Uncover and cook for a further 5 minutes or until the sauce in thickened just a bit. Meanwhile, make your rice. Just before serving add the almonds and fresh coriander.

YUM...or at least 4 out of 5 thought it was good food.....speaking of food, a famous Meatloaf once said (well almost), 4 out of 5 ain't bad.

x

one new thing.

A glass locket(cannot be opened) featuring  sea glass and shells on a sterling silver chain..

( more weird stuff in the pipeline too, starring old typewriter parts)

Happy weekend everybody

announcing a new owl and two new pretty things.

Today, I received this cute ceramic owl from my neighbour and friend.....

he looks like a Theodore to me.

thanks Lisa- I love him!


And these are two new things that are going to the market:

A delicate 18mm bottle filled with sea glass and a tiny shell found on the coast of Kirkcaldy, Scotland. Attached to a sterling silver chain.

A very tiny 12mm 'light globe' filled with beautiful minuscule sea glass found off the coast of Scotland. Attached to a sterling silver chain.


Sorry, for alarming anybody about yesterday's post. I was kind of being reflective but ironic with the Richard Clayderman piano in the background. By the way, did you know The Guinness Book of Records has classed Mr Clayderman as the most successful pianist in the world? (and the most annoying music your mum use to play in the early 80's) No? well, now you do, hehe.

x

The epiphany post

(insert elevator music here)...ok, I'll do it for you, just press play,

I've had a couple of weeks where I have been reflecting on life in general including working out the priorities. It seems that sometimes, there is not much logic when it comes to human behaviour.

It's a fine line between being respectful, agreeable and non confrontational and yet still being able to hold your values and principles without feeling compromised.

I have a beautiful family that pretty much takes up all my time and attention....and....

...I choose to be a happy person, and even though situations are created that disturb that, I can only give my best and then walk away.....and I always do my best. (it's starting to sound a little like a self help book right now)

So I know that I am not special, or, nor am I trying to make a wave in the world... in the words of Meg Ryan (why Meg Ryan? because she is wise and has great hair and I love her.... for more fun facts about Meg Ryan click here):

Sometimes I wonder about my life.
I lead a small life.
Well, valuable, but small.
And sometimes I wonder...
...do I do it because I like it...
...or because I haven't been brave?
So much of what I see reminds me of something in a book...
...when shouldn't it be the other way around?
I don't want an answer. I just want...
...to send this cosmic question into the void.
So...
...Good night, dear void.

Extra note: this post is very ambiguous...I'm ok- was just reflective...now, on with the show....

an exciting new project! (and a lot of work)

I'm as toey as a Roman sandal!

 It has always been my dream to do up an old caravan- and now my dream has come true!

We have been able to obtain an old caravan from a friend of a friend (and this friend of a friend, will most probably become a friend- win, win scenario), which, of course will need a lot of work- but is quite do-able!

We most probably won't use it as a caravan, but more of a 'hang-out' for our 3 baby owls. I have so many images and colours flashing in my mind, it's hard to stay focused....it will sit in our yard, near the house and hopefully, my most clever electritioner (as labelled by our 5 year old) Mr Owl, will be able to run power to it.

Here are some of the images I've collected over the past 3 years:

This came up when i searched for caravan's??

I will be posting before and after shots soon.

Very exciting!

x

Online shop update and a stinky tale.

Hi everybody! How was your day?...my day started off okay and then the poo hit the baby owl....my poor baby fell in doggy doo this morning whilst we were out for a walk- poor love. We don't have a dog, so it was a random dog poo.(this makes it worse- who knows where that poo came from!).  Lots of tears and bathing this morning:) (and washing)

So Danielle has updated the online shop...lots of new things from The Kooky Green Owl, Polkadot Lane, Sew Chirpy and Curiouser...

two birds in dome setting with mahogany surround

oblong glass resin pendant on antique brass chain

copper birds nest with turquoise eggs

delicate cork bottle filled with 3 teal swarovski crystals on a sterling silver chain

antique brass charm necklace featuring turquoise, peace jade and handmade ceramics

pottery found on the shores of Scotland. Each piece is unique and naturally tumbled by the sea. On a sterling silver chain

I seem to be fixated on birds. Obsessed?....you may be right.....