Festival of Ian

To celebrate DH's 30th birthday we decided to do something we haven't done in a long time. I probably haven't gone go-karting since my age started with a 1, but boy was it fun! I have a feeling it wont be the last either, I think the boys have a taste for it now.

So go-karting was a highlight, as was the present for two kite surfing lessons from our wonderful friends. Perth is the perfect windy city for it. I'm looking forward to afternoons at the park lounging on a picnic rug while Ian practices with the trainer kite :)

thanks everyone
Mx

lessons learned... don't get your husband to answer your mobile while you drive to the secret breakfast you organised after you secretly colluded with hubby's boss to get him the day off from work, or the secret family dinner you organised could be totally laid out as the restaurant rings to confirm your booking for 15!

Sunday Quote

"It's never too late to be what you might have been."
- George Elliot (1819-80)

If there's something you wish you'd done, I hope you know it's not too late
Mx

100% LANA

I've started looking at pieces at the op-shop in a whole new light since starting Wardrobe Refashion. Now even if I wouldn't wear something as-is, if a garment is a natural fabric like wool or cotton or silk, I may still pick it up for the material. Like I said, I have a new appreciation for stash. Anyhow, the tag on this pair of pants from the Red Cross said 100% LANA, which I was guessing was Italian for wool (I've checked and it is).


I just got my mat and rotary cutter and took as big a rectangle out of the leg as I could, and sewed the front and back pieces together. To hide the seam and provide softness next to the neck, I lined the other side with some fabric left over from making a christening gown.


Then I marked out evenly spaced dots with a washable marker, so my stitching wouldn't be too... messy? Anyhow, I like the way it turned out. I just hope the intended recipient does too, a dear friend off on a working visa to London.


There is one leg left on the pants so I'm thinking of making a scarf for myself too. I think next time though I may mark lines but not regiment the stitch length and do smaller stitches, for a bit more of a random look.

Mx

btw, I started thinking scarves after I saw this and this on the lovely Pretty Ditty blog

Wardrobe Refashion

I'm at the end of my first pledge, and I've signed up for another 4 months on Wardrobe Refashion. I started on a 2 month pledge to see how I went, and it was so easy! I had no problem at all. I wasn't a diligent poster of refashions but I didn't need to use the get out of jail free card :)

So, I didn't post many refashions, but in the last 2 months I've learned the value of a stash and there is a pile of fabulous finds from the op-shop just waiting for me to get to them. I promise I will get to them and post them here as well as over at the Wardrobe Refashion blog.

Mx

bushwalking in the Perth hills

My bff and I did walk No. 7, the Piesse Gully Loop Trail. It was the perfect day for it, lovely and cool. My fitness is not what it could be and I was definitely breaking a sweat!
The book said it was a 3 1/2 half hour walk. It took us 3 hours and we did take a couple of wrong turns.
Mx

Sunday Quote

friendship first, competition second
- chinese saying

I like

This cool idea I saw on Design Sponge yesterday, using vintage hotel key fobs as key rings. Their large size makes them easy to find at the bottom of your handbag. Something I could definitely use the help of.

I like the minimalist look of just one key ring, and as few keys as possible. So now I'll be keeping my eye out, not the sort of thing I've seen at the op-shop though.

Juice Fasting

So this is what I'm drinking this week... organic, freshly made at home juice. I'm on day 4 of a juice fast and planning to go for at least 7. I feel fine so far, no detox symptoms or anything, maybe a little tired.

This is all in aid of cleaning out my body in preparation for growing a little one. That's right, the mr and I are planning a family :) I'll be 33 in October, so all going best I'll be 34 and a first time mother, a whole 10 years older than my mother was when she had me. Though if i wait until I'm 36 the newborn would be born in the year of the dragon, same as mum and I....

Signs of Spring?

It certainly doesn't feel like it with all this wet weather we're having but...


my camellia is finally opening opening its buds, and....


Our first ever EGG was found in the chook house yesterday!! (or as dad likes to call them bumnuts :)

surely spring is just around the corner

Sunday Quote

This is perhaps my favourite quote of all time...
"If a problem has a solution, why worry?
If a problem has no solution, why worry?" - Dalai Lama

Fremantle

I love this bench in Freo every time I see it. Last week I took a photo.

First Post

So then... I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm sure I'll find my way.

In reading The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell I liked to see myself as a maven, who Gladwell describes as "information brokers, sharing and trading what they know". I don't imagine I'll start any "word-of-mouth" (word of blog??) epidemics, but I think it will be fun to journal all the fabulous bits and pieces I've been inspired by.

Sharing the good stuff, and a bit of myself.

love Maggie x