As you know life is more than a little busy for me at the moment with the move home, so, when Sheena Henderson offered a post to appear on my blog I happily obliged. I don't pretend to be a fashion blogger, but I do love fashion and, right now, I need some ideas for a Christmas Day dress and thought you might too. I hope you enjoy this guest post.



The beauty of fashion is that no rule is ever set in stone, giving us the freedom to wear our OTK boots in the heat and embroidered boho frocks in cooler temperatures, as long as the outfits are styled according to the season. However, no one can argue that maxis, minis, and everything in between are best worn during the summer, no-fuss ensembles that keep us feeling breezy during those hot sunny days. Similarly to what the editors of Elle have said, “We’d rather be naked than think of putting together an outfit involving pants."

Stitches and Craft Show, Sydney 2016. I had a mission to accomplish. I was focused and ready. So, off I went by train then bus, with, miraculously, no travel disasters.

I've been lusting after a French market basket for oh so long. You know the ones you see ladened with baguettes and fresh produce propped in the bicycle basket just so. Well, now I have my own. But, not just any old French market basket. A pom pom adorned French market basket, no less. Ooh là là.

My little collection of garden pots has been looking very tragic for quite some time. Their Nanna flowers have lived long past their use by date. It was one of those annoying jobs that just kept staring at me saying, "Me next? Me next … please." But the sewing machine called and this little job went further down the queue, until this week. 

Painters' drop sheets? Yes, you know those big pieces of fabric painters use to stop any drips messing up the floors and furniture as they paint. I have read about people using them to make curtains, tablecloths, upholster furniture. You name it, someone has used a painters' drop sheet to do it. Well … almost.

Instagram is the place where imagination and creativity lives, breathes, grows. Everyday I am inspired by people eager to share their talent. At the moment, Christmas ideas abound … food, gifts, crafts. 

If you've been following me, stalking me maybe, on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook, then you'll know I've been in a bit of a crocheting frenzy. Little Christmas garlands have been zooming off my hook and through the post to family and friends. 

Why little crocheted Christmas garlands? 

Why not?

Not so long ago I had never heard of Washi tape. I had never crossed its path. I had never known its pleasure. But, being retired, and venturing into the realm of blogs, there was Washi tape. Everyone was using it and I felt hopelessly inadequate. Washi tape!?! I had no idea.

Step 1: Drink A LOT of coffee. 

Or ... if you're lucky like I was ... visit your local coffee roaster and drive home with your car boot full of coffee bags and a big smile on your face.

What to do with a pile of driftwood collected by my pineapple-loving friend and me as we strolled along a spectacular, palm fringed, tropical island beach many months ago?  

I love my sister.  She's older, wiser ... most of the time ... and it's seems of late becoming wonderfully eccentric.  As I leave from a visit to her home she hands me a gift ... home made dishwasher tablets.  "Try them.  I'll give you the recipe, if you like."

Now that we're both retired and have, supposedly, time on our hands, we get to dabble in all things obscure.  Home made dishwasher tablets was not what I expected her to be making in her non-working time. But, it seems she is.

Carefully encased in a zip-lock bag were around eight strangely ice-cube looking dish washer tablets ... my gift.
"Just drop them in the bottom of the dishwasher."
"What about Rinse Aid?" I ask.
"Nope, you don't need it."
"What, not even vinegar or anything?"
"You could use vinegar if you like, but you won't need it."

So, I mean, I have to give them a go.  She is my older-wiser-sister after all. And they worked.  They worked, in fact, VERY well.  Gleaming dishes and sparkling glasses emerged from my dishwasher, much to my surprise.  No vinegar rinse aid, no nothing.  I think she's onto something here.  I have to give this a go myself.

So, off I go to Woolieworths to get the supplies.  I have to venture to my most favourite store, Bunnings for the Borax and I'm set.  But I delay.  This is insane!  Will making my own dishwasher tablets mean I have to grow dreadies, wear weird leather sandals and velvet harem pants??

My ingredients wait patiently for me to make my move.

A Pinteresting birthday present for a pineapple-loving friend ... What does one do when searching for an idea for a gift for an amazing friend, a pineapple-loving friend, for their up-coming birthday?  Go Pinterest  investigating, of course!

Since buying my iPad mini, I have entered the world of Pinterest. How many great ideas have been out there living in cyberspace that I was oblivious to!?! The problem with Pinterest is I started to think, "I could make/do that ...   that looks sooo easy!"   

Then, of course, I thought, I need to have a go.  I need to make/do some of these things that I find so Pinteresting.  But where to begin?

My friend Karen ... yes, Karen-of-the-various-emails ... and I had decided to test the waters selling our wares at one of the local markets.  Carlyle Gardens Arts and Crafts Market, first Saturday of every month and Riverways Artists Market, in case you were wondering.  I felt I needed some small goodies on my market table for children and the person who, like me, arrives at most markets with only small change in their purse, VERY small change.  So, I went to my Pinterest boards and found these ...

Cute denim dilly bags.