Taylor Made In Oz Tales

Good Grief!

2011-11-30T18:13:00.001+11:00

I can't believe it has been so long since I posted anything.

Life has been so busy this year with both good and bad.

I am going to definitely make a more concerted effort to post more often.
Think of it as my early New Year's resolution.

Lazy Girl

2010-11-18T11:38:00.003+11:00

I can't believe how slack I have been with updating my blog.

It's not that I have nothing to put here - I do.

So I will do a few posts to try to catch up with the more interesting things that have happened this year. I will not bother with sicknesses and injuries, although these did consume much time from my family.

So hello first and more to follow.

Another Day, Another Party.

2010-02-05T23:03:00.005+11:00

Today I went for lunch with my girlfriends for my birthday.

We went to Moorabool Valley Chocolate by Design. We had fritattas and toasted sandwiches and then the dessert. Chocolate Meringue layers with cream and berry sauce in between. Followed with a Hot chocolate that was divine. 3 of us had that, another had a chocolate fondue with fruit and lollies and the other had a chocolate cupcake sundae. They were all delicious, the prices were good, company was great and we had lots of fun.

Definitely a go to again place.

I also got some lovely presents.

Tonight I went out for dinner with my family and friends. Well as many as could make it. About half so there were 20 of us. We went to the the Telegraph Hotel in Pakington St, Geelong West. It has been done up and was very nice inside. The food and the service was good and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I know I did, so I guess that's it.

My sister and I.

Happy Birthday To Me!!

2010-02-04T22:26:00.000+11:00

Yep Today was my birthday.

And no you may not ask how old I was. A lady never tells.

I had a wonderful day. When my hubby came home from work he gave me a great set of icing decorating tools. He has also bought me a 2 yr subscription to one of my favourite crafty magazines, Handmade.

When the girls were home from school I got the rest of my pressies. I got chocolates, shower gel and body butter in passionfruit scent, lovely perfume called Amor,Amor and hubby also got me a battery operated wine opener as a joke as I can never use the new one he last bought. I always end up with the silly contraption falling apart. (It is funny to watch me, so I am told).

He also cooked us a lovely dinner of roasted chicken pieces and potates and veg. Yummy.

Later that night my sister Nightwyrm came over and gave me some more presents 2 books for making softies and felties. Yay!

AND she made some fantastic cupcakes. They were purple velvet cupcakes (red ones but blue color added to be purple) and they were so pretty.

Iced with white ,chocolate and pink icing and lots of sprinkles and sparkles and flowers.

If you haven't guessed, I like pink and purple and sparkly things.LOL.

Back to School

2010-02-02T20:20:00.000+11:00

Well here we are at Tuesday and they are both back to school.

DD2 survived AND enjoyed her first day at Secondary.

DD1 wasn't quite so happy.

She was happy about starting music lessons tonight though. :)

She is excited about tomorrow though as she is going to the beach.

De-Cluttering Area 2

2010-02-02T09:28:00.002+11:00

Ok so I was pretty happy with the first area I de-cluttered, so now to choose my next area.

I have chosen an area that is in our dining/living area and has looked much this way for several years.
Definitley time to de-clutter.

Here are my before pictures.

Craft Day

2010-02-01T21:27:00.003+11:00

My friend and I organise a Craft Day for our Parish.

We hold it the first Monday of the month and today was the first for the year.

I took on this month and we made fabric fruit. Just pears or apples.

We only look at doing something that takes a couple of hours and not too much cost involved as we only charge $3-.

I had seen patterns from Felt Cuisine and so I just googled and found a few sites that I liked.

Sewtakeahike has a pear that is nice but UK lass in US has an apple and a pear. I based my patterns on hers but changed and enlarged it.

The ladies really enjoyed doing them and they turned out quite well. Most ladies took around 2 hours 30 minutes or so.

This is some of the finished fruit. I think they are quite cute.

First Day of Secondary School

2010-02-01T19:34:00.004+11:00

Today DD2 started Secondary School.

She looked so grown up in her new uniform.

Mama nearly shed a tear. (I was told I wasn't allowed to!)

Doesn't she look all growed up?

End of Month

2010-01-31T14:56:00.005+11:00

Well today is the end of the month and the end of school holidays.

The girls are both looking forward to starting a new school year especiall DD2 who is starting Secondary School. DD1 is going to year 9.

I am looking forward to a little more peace and quiet during the day, hopefully. (DH is a shiftworker, so it doesn't always happen how you plan.LOL)

Well we will see how it goes. Now I am going to leave you with a couple of my favourite photos from the holidays. They are both taken in Apollo Bay. One is my girls near the wood carvings and the other is my S-I-L and her ever smiling cutie. Mwah Chloe.

Happy Australia Day and Happy Birthday

2010-01-26T22:59:00.003+11:00

Today is Australia Day.

A day to celebrate our nation and all the wonderful things in it.

It is also my Dear Hubby's Birthday. Yay Jeff!

So we naturally had to host a Barbeque/party.
We had loads of people here, mostly family.

Lots of food and plenty of sun and fun.
We had snags as well as beef and chicken wraps. With lots of salad to put into them.

Then for sweets my sister Sue made a Lamington Surprise cake. It was very colorful and quite the surprise when I cut it open. She also made lamington crackles.

Another sister Jacqui made lovely little Australia shaped jelly cakes in green and gold and they had edible sparkles. Love sparkly!

She also made green and gold frog in a pond for the kids and jelly shots for the adults. Yummo!

And to wash it down she had skittles vodka in yep you guessed it....green and gold.
And midori with pineapple juice with Australia shaped ice cubes!

We also had Pavlova,fruit salad,apple slice and a Mud cake for the birthday cake.

Fireworks!

2010-01-25T23:48:00.005+11:00

This week in Geelong has been celebrating Audi week formally Skandia week. All about yachting etc but also celebrating Australia day.

This evening was the fireworks display so we went down to the waterfront like so many thousands of others and watched some fireworks set in time to music played on Bay FM.

It was pretty good. although my photography skills do not show it.LOL.

Party for Sam

2010-01-23T21:41:00.001+11:00

We went to my Brother-in-law's 40th Birthday party today.

He had a lovely BBQ at his place and the weather was lovely.

There was heaps of food and I think we might have all had a bit too much.

Happy Birthday Sam!

De-Clutter Review

2010-01-22T19:29:00.002+11:00

Well it has taken me some time working a little at a time but I am happy with what has been achieved.

We have shredded heaps of old documents, thrown into the recycle bin several boxes of old magazines, thrown out so much junk, given away stuff and still have several more boxes of stuff to donate to goodwill.

I have repacked the area - somewhat neater and I have put all my Christmas AND Halloween decorations in there. It's not perfect but it IS a storage area.

Here are some pictures.

Better eh!

Eaten Alive

2010-01-21T16:07:00.001+11:00

Today I took the girls to the National Wool Museum to see the Eaten Alive exhibition.

It is all about how predators catch and eat their prey.

They have loads of hands on exhibits where you can try to be like certain animals or insects and catch your own food.

They also have a massive robotic croc, snake and spider and they are kinda freaky. Especially the spider. (We hate spiders..uggh!)

The exhibition is on loan from Questacon and well worth the visit.

Night Market

2010-01-15T23:56:00.000+11:00

Geelong is again hosting the Night Market at Johnstone Park every Friday evening until the end of the month.

I think this year was better than last year and had more stalls of both the food and craft variety.

It was hard to choose what to eat and we had different cuisines. The girls ate Mexican, hubby had Spanish and I ate food from Mauritius. It was all good.

Then we had Timboon icecream. Delicious!

The girls bought some little dolls, pins and charms.

We enjoyed our evening out.

If you are in the area, you should go.

Shopping

2010-01-14T11:50:00.003+11:00

Today we went shopping in town so the girls could spend some of their vouchers they got for Christmas.

We also had to get D2 fitted for uniforms as she is starting Secondary School this year.

She is both excited and nervous.

They spent their money on clothes and books and stuff!

While we were in town we ran into my sister and her kids.

We had lunch at Nandos. Yum!

And the kids had their photo taken with the Nando Chicken.

The Year of De-Cluttering

2010-01-09T11:39:00.004+11:00

I have decided that this is the year to de-clutter my house.

We have been here for about 15 years now and have accumulated so much stuff.
Good and Bad.

So I have decided to start with under the stairs.
It is so bad I can't even put the Christmas decorations back in there.

Here is a quick look.

Bad isn't it.

I hope to get rid of lots of stuff.
I let you know how it goes.

Apollo Bay

2010-01-08T23:48:00.007+11:00

Well the girls and I spent 4 days down here holidaying with my
S-I-L and her 4 kids. My brother popped in as work permitted.

We stayed in their holiday house which is quite beautiful and had a blast.

The weather was fantastic and we were at the beach everyday.
The beach was so clean and it was lovely in the water.
I actually swam.
First time in the ocean for ages.
The kids swam, built sandcastles, played with seaweed and went boogie boarding.

We had a lovely time with them all and the girls now want a holiday house too! Ha!

Happy Birthday Dad

2010-01-03T23:30:00.002+11:00

Today was my Father's 77th birthday.

We celebrated with a BBQ at my parent's house which was lovely.

Tomorrow the girls and I are going away for a few days to Apollo bay.
We are staying with more family but it will be lots of fun.

See you when I get back.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T23:18:00.002+11:00

Greetings and welcome to another year.

This year I have made a resolution to post more.

We had a lovely party here for New Year's eve with family and friends.

We had so much fun I forgot to take photos, so I will add some photos I took of fireworks last year.

Enjoy!

Geelong Show

2009-10-16T17:05:00.002+11:00

Tonight we are going to see the fireworks at the Geelong Show.
The girls and I entered some items into the craft section and school age divisions.
We will find out how we went.

We are all excited.

Challenge Completed !!!

2009-05-26T18:32:00.006+10:00

Well I made some time today to finish off my doll for the May Craft Challenge from Christy's Craft Challenge.

First I used more parts from the taken apart flower and used them for her hat.

Next, I made her a wand/sceptre using again, parts from the taken apart flower and some of the floral stem wire.

Using more wire I joined the wings together.

Used one of the buttons and a piece of ribbon to make her a "Flower Power" belt.

Then finally taking the paper, an origami instruction book and trial run first, I made a Flower boat/box. Came out pretty good considering I've never made one before.

And here are some photos of The Flower Fairy finished floating in her boat. (figuritively).

Enjoy.

I have uploaded my pictures and now the wait to see if I am one of the finalists.

I hope!

This was fun all the same if I win or not.

Challege !!

2009-05-24T17:30:00.002+10:00

Well after I dropped DD1 at her party in town and came home, I finally had some time to start my May Challenge from Christy.

After much thinking - I have finally decided on a Flower Fairy.
What better thing to represent Spring and use up all the pretty floral items I received.

I had a spare little doll in a box still so stripped her and used her panties for a pattern to make out of the blue fabric.

I pulled one of the flowers apart to use the petals for the skirt.

I also used the blue fabric to make a little top for her (She is quite modest you know!).

And finally I glued some wire to some leaves for her fairy wings.

Finished the Present !

2009-05-24T11:45:00.000+10:00

This morning I checked everything had dried nicely and I could now reassemble the art journal and put some photos in the frame.

Then I tied some ribbons onto the journal for the finishing touch.

Wrap it and DD1 is ready for this afternoon.

Birthday Present Nearing Completion

2009-05-23T15:10:00.002+10:00

So! I have been working most of the week at these little babies and they are coming along fine.

Just a few finishing up touches and letting things dry.

Tomorrow I can assemble the art journal back together.

When they are finished I have a good idea for the challenge.

Birthday Present

2009-05-19T15:03:00.005+10:00

DD1 came home with a birthday invitation on Friday for a party next weekend. I had promised to make her friend's pressie, similar to what I made my niece.

I had to go out yesterday to buy the letter, art journal and paper, paint etc.

Today I sanded the photo frame and letter and got them painted first coat.

They are coming along but I hope I finish them in time. Looks like the challenge has to go on the back burner and let some ideas stew in my mind.

Christy's Craft Challenge

2009-05-12T14:54:00.005+10:00

I received my packet of craft goodies to participate in this Month's Christy's craft challenge.
I have until the end of May 27th to make and upload a photo using something of each craft item received: fabric,paper, flowers, leaves, buttons and floral wire.

A challenge or what.
Ideas???

More Stitches and Craft Show

2009-03-14T12:32:00.000+11:00

I went again to the Stitches and craft show today. I had booked 2 more classes for fun and there was still stalls and areas I had not covered the first day.

My first class was for a messenger birdie by Melly and Me. They are such wonderful ladies. The class was fun and I think all who attended made beautiful birdies. Here is a pic with Melly & Me & Rosie(the other Me).
Please forgive the way I look, I got totally drowned earlier running from the train but at least the bushfires are officially out. See my cute little birdie? I also bought another of their patterns - Black Sheep, White sheep as it was sew cute.

My other class for today was a felt donut softie. I can see I am really loving this art form. I am not sure if I will use it as a pin cushion or not but delicious it is.
This class was by holly of Two Cheese Please. Here I am at her stand with her Giant Icecream cone.
I also bought another of her pattern kits for felted fortune cookies. They look good and hope to make them with the girls during school holidays.

And now for some random shots from the show. One red Robin softies. Amazing.
And stuff that I bought.

Stitches and Craft Show

2009-03-13T12:09:00.000+11:00

Today I went to the Stitches and Craft show in Melbourne. It was held at the Melbourne showgrounds this year and the building it was held in was huge.
There was so much to see and do.

I participated in 2 workshops today. The first was for a Woodland doll-head brooch by One Red Robin. There were only 2 of us in the class but it was lots of fun and lovely to meet Jhoanna.

Here is my brooch.

The second class was for a sling bag which DD1 has already claimed. It still needs it's opening to be stitched and then ironed. Then just tie the tops in a knot and you are set to go.

I also took some photos of the displays.There was giant knitting, paper Matryshka dolls, sand sculpture - not finished though, and sewn items made entirely from selvedges. Totally amazing.

My OWOH prize

2009-03-13T11:29:00.000+11:00

Today I recieved my One World, One Heart prize from Deanna at You've Got Maille.

She has some simply amazing jewelery. Check out her blog and etsy shop.

I have also started a prayer shawl for the bushfire victim relief. I am using 2 strands of Premium marvel. One plain and one printed. It is looking quite good and feels nice and soft and squishy.

I am using size 15 needles and it is nice to knit.

Something new

2009-03-11T11:19:00.000+11:00

Today I decided to try something new.
I want to make my niece something nice for her birthday in April but something different.
It had to be purple her favourite color but something that she could use or enjoy.

Here are the first pics.

Another hat

2009-03-10T10:56:00.000+11:00

I have been a little busy of late but I have been crafting still.
I finished this hat just 2 days after the other.

Weekend

2009-03-08T23:46:00.000+11:00

Well it's the weekend again. Yesterday we went to the Torquay Foreshore Festival. All the proceeds went to the Bushfire appeal. It wasn't great though. Today we just cleaned up No 2's room while No 1 packed for camp.

This afternoon DH's uncle came for dinner with his friend. I finished a spiral hat for No 2 in blues so she can wear it to school.

I started on another spiral hat in plum colors.

Tomorrow is Labour day holiday so the girls will be home again. Need to shop for clothes for No. 1. Then more clearing in No 2's room so I can start shifting my craft boxes in there.

Welcome

2009-03-03T13:40:00.000+11:00

Welcome to my brand new, first ever blog.
I hope to chat about family, life and hobbies and add some fun photos.
Hope you like it.
Leave me some comments too if you like it or what I can change.
Thanks.
Lynda