online baby shower

I know I'm a little baby mad at the moment but I seem to be in good company here in blog land. I've just signed up for this swap organised by Hey Bubbles. What a great idea.

hello again!

Hello again. I'm slowly starting to get some more me time back into my day.....even if it is with a baby strapped to my chest, snoring his little head off.


I'm craving a creative project and dream of quilt designs while doing the 4am feed, all of which I'm taking as a good sign that my creative mojo is starting to return.
Inspired by so many of the gorgeous gifts little Z.J. received (I'm still blown away by everyone's generosity...thank you, thank you) I'm ready to tackle some crafting again. I've been trawling through my copy of Vogue Living (thanks to my gifted subscription, gotta love magazine subscriptions arriving in the post!)looking for further inspiration and........ in a rather round about way I discovered PingMag MAKE. It's an online Japanese Mag dedicated to interviewing Japanese craftsmen, engineers, entrepreneurs, and inventors in rural areas. A new interview is updated weekly. It's totally inspiring.


Miss Woolly made this lovely little school house for Z.J. I love everything about it, the school bell, skipping girl and teacher writing on the blackboard...but I think my favorite thing is the stitching on the roof. Clever Lady!



and the above name plaque lovingly x-stitched by Greta, in Italy, hangs permanently on his bedroom door. The best presents ever!

Early arrival

Apologies for temporarily dropping out of blogsistence but we had an early arrival. Lovely little Z.J. was born on Wednesday 23rd April and he has turned our lives upside down. We're now slowly starting to slip into some sort of routine (as unreliable as a babies routine may be) and find our feet as new parents. Wow, those first two weeks are something else! What a wild ride it is. Thankfully, I have to say, all the sleepless nights and complete time decay from tight feeding regimes slide away when you look into that sweet face. He makes our hearts melt and we are just so happy to welcome him into our lives.

Today's Etsy Favorites.

Borrowed Spoons Tea Towel, by Skinny Laminx.



Two cute hippos Jamil & Jamila by Strawberries & Cream (Minori Design).

Camilla Engman

I purchased these Camilla Engman prints for the nursery. They arrived from Sweeden in record time. Thank you.

Now I'm in love with Camilla's ceramics and the work of Carol Hummel (who I stumbled across thanks to Camilla's beautiful blog).

Now I'm off to discover more from these two...oh, and read the latest Living Creatively Issue before turning in for the night. Sleep well xox

Busy, busy...nesting.

I picked up my re-upholstered chair today and couldn't wait to get it inside but I had to patiently wait for the LF to get home and lift it out of the car. I'd almost hatched a plan with Sheridan (my pregnant neighbour) to help with the lifting (she's due next week). Then we realised how much trouble we'd be in once our beloved husbands found out. I love it. Thank you to yhe lovely boys at Martel Upholstery, in Camberwell, for doing such a wonderful job. Take a look at the before and after shot here.

My discovery of the day has been a new Japanese shop in the Glen Eira Village called Muku (the webiste is still under construction but they are situated next to the Miriam Bereson store/office on Glen Eira Road). They import organic baby clothes and accessories from Japan that are to die for. The whole experience is a treat, make sure you pop in and say hello if you're passing.

Patchwork on Central Park have just received a new shipment of Japanses fabrics in store (not yet listed on the website but will be by the end of the week). It's quite lucky I didn't have enough time to stop in on my way back from the upholsterers this morning or my wallet would have been even lighter for sure.

Then, there was morning tea at Galleon, a trip to The Good Guys, a walk to the beach with the dog, grocery shopping and now I'm about to put my feet up, relax and work on my cross stitch.
What a day (only 3 weeks to go!).

**written yseterday...I had problems with uploading it to blogger. darn.

to the bottom of my pencil case

These gorgeous pencils arrived in the post today, from London, for the bump.
They are an early 'arrival' present from Jo & Fish. Thank you both from 'the bottom of my pencil case' (I can't stop singing that Beautiful South song!!...not that I mind, it always makes me smile).
The pencils already have their place in the nursery and no doubt bump will love them even more than we do, if that's possible.
I can't believe you're so organised Jo, you put me to shame. Thank you. We are so looking forward to seeing you. xoxoxoxoxox