Naturally Carol

Not Quite Back....

2012-02-18T19:47:00.000+10:00

hi there!

i'm not quite back...

tonight i'm typing away on my husband's laptop

as he's back for the weekend,

i miss all of you dreadfully...

thanks for your messages!

the good news is that i think i should be up and running again in the next couple of weeks,

but the bad news is that it's not quite now : (

as you've probably guessed

my computer totally gave up the ghost

failing even to boot up in the end.

so...

so i'm just popping in here while i can

to say...

i had the most fabulous time ever in taiwan

got incredibly spoiled

loved it

the wedding was great

i have heaps of pics to edit and show you all...

so hang on,

i'm nearly there...

thanks incredibly

for not giving up on me!

(and if you had...i really can't blame you)

see you in a while....

naturally Carol xox

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-19T11:40:00.001+10:00

wishing you all a...

blessed & merry

christmas!

whether you pop in occasionally or often...

thank you!

i haven't got my own computer back yet,

won't have it replaced or fixed until the end of january

after i get back from no. 1 son's wedding in taiwan,

i wish you all a very merry christmas

from the bottom of my heart!

i will pop in and cruise around the blogosphere when i can this week

and may comment at random...

but am signing out here for a month...

i love your friendship

so i'll be around

and see you back here

in the new year!

happy new year...

naturally Carol xox

Borrowed Time!

2011-12-14T13:49:00.000+10:00

good morning!

it feels so good to be able to say that

to know that at least in this session

the computer won't crash

'cos i'm on my daughter in law's one as a guest..hehe

well guess where i've popped up this morning...

here i am on kamana's blog'

answering a few questions.

it's the first time i've done an interview for someone else

so now i've done it for kamana

i think i may approach a few of you

in the new year...

if you wouldn't mind!

kamana is an inspirational poet and photographer

these often feature the tropical paradise

she lives in...

so do pop in and get to know her

and be inspired by her art!

{the photo above is of noosa, qld..taken on a weekend away a few months ago..'cos none of my photos are available to me on this computer and i can't download any either.}

afternoon edit:

i've just enjoyed lunch out with mr m,
we don't get to lunch together very often,
especially to lunch out
and munch on open grilled turkish sandwiches
and the best cappucinos in town!

i hope you've enjoyed a meal lately with someone special too...

naturally Carol xox

Chilli for Dinner...

2011-12-13T20:04:00.000+10:00

good evening!

due to my computer growing a mind of it's own

being extremely non-conformist

i've been relegated to noncomputerlike tasks

for the last few days...

sorry.

one of those glitches

includes not being able to upload many photos

so dinner was the picture of the moment tonight.

i'm thinking,

at least it was a delicious

chilli con carne

with a few bits of salad,

put together by mr m

i got to enjoy a night off!

cucumber is actually delicious with chilli..who knew?

the chilli was left over from last night...

but i don't mind having it twice

'cos it's always even better the second day

...don't you find?

we have a fair bit on our plates at the moment...

we're trying to get things together for our trip to taiwan

in only two and a bit weeks,

there are some family matters to sort throught as well...

having kids, there is never a dull moment.

well, i'm back again

after another 'crash dump' and restart...

frustrating!

i wanted to take a couple of pics

of some little bits of sewing

but ran out of daylight

so hopefully...computer withstanding...

i'll get it together tomorrow.

meanwhile

have a lovely day or evening!

naturally Carol xox

Hot Fresh Scones!

2011-12-09T21:19:00.000+10:00

good evening!

today was fun.

i got an order for a cushion

so packaged it up prettily and included a little extra heart

'cos it's Christmas.

then a friend called

and i went out to chatz cafe for a

'see you later' send off as another friend is leaving here

to go to bundaberg...a couple of hours up the road.

she wants to swim in the sea

and be reunited with her eldest daughter.

good on her!

so after having a delicious salmon portion

baked in pastry with a creamy dreamy dill sauce

accompanied by

roast veges

with dessert being a muggacino

with extra froth...

i decided that a simple dinner

of a couple of freshly baked scones

would do the job.

these quick scones

are made from a recipe off a flour packet

i make them much more than the traditional recipe now.

all you need is

3 cups of self raising flour

and

2/3 cup of icing sugar

to which you add

300 mls of pouring cream

and

100 mls of water.

stir quickly until in a lump,

put on a floured surface,

knead a couple of times to bring the mixture together.

pat out into a flattened lump..about 2 cms high,

carve up into even pieces

and put into an oven, 180 degrees centigrade.

{scone recipes always say a hot oven..220 degrees..i never do}

bake for exactly 12 minutes...

{this recipe said 15 mins or more..i always cook scones for exactly 12 mins and they turn out perfectly every time}

this is how they turned out...

and this is how they looked

on the plate...

they were nice and light

delicious.

more rustic than fancy!

what wonders do you intend to bake over the weekend?

or not?

naturally Carol xox

Christmas Hearts!

2011-12-08T22:50:00.000+10:00

it's nearly bed time here...

i had a slow start to the day,

you know how it is

when it's a little cold

and sleep is interrupted,

then in the morning

it's just hard to get started.

then this afternoon

i went out for coffee with a friend, crystal,

it was a bit warmer

and the coffee perked me up.

then in the early evening mr m and i did a bit of grocery shopping.

of course it is getting late now,

but after my slow start

i'm fully awake now and don't need to sleep!

still...

in a few minutes

i will drag this body to bed

so that tomorrow

i am not even more perversely affected

and end up staying up all night????

i recently thought

that instead of sending my local friends cards,

i would make hearts for them...

christmassy ones

that they could hang on their trees

or their door handles

or on their walls...

what ever.

these are quick and easy to make...

several can be made in a couple of hours

and are lots of fun too.

fussy cut the fronts...

you don't have to be as precise with the backs...

add a couple of vintage buttons to the centre,

they will disguise where the ribbon goes into the heart

where sometimes there will be

a little pucker

where the ribbon doesn't sit quite straight.

using zig zag stitching

around the outside of the heart

just gives it a bit of a tweaky look

finishes the edges nicely.

i've attempted a couple of mug rugs too

but i'm a bit of a novice

when it comes to the borders

i'm not entirely happy with the ones i've completed so far.

practice makes perfect

so they say...

if kootoyoo will have me

i'm joining in,

so come 'n see

what others are doing

and have a lovely day!

naturally Carol xox

The Fern Grows!

2011-12-07T12:23:00.000+10:00

hi there...

i've turned the christmas tree lights on this morning

for a bit of sparkle arkle

'cos it's kinda dark inside

with all the rain and gloomy weather outside.

i took this pic

to show you how much those little ferny fronds

have grown in a couple of weeks...

this fern is amazing.

it grows on the stump of an old mango tree

that we had to cut down to make way for a driveway

just after we moved into this house.

on one side of the stump is the fern

and on the other side is a flourishing staghorn..

they both just live off the decaying stump

which is sitting underneath the poinciana tree in the front yard.

this is what the fern looked like

just a few weeks prior to these new photos...

with the winter

and probably a lack of water

they had died right down

and in the pic above had just begun to sprout new growth.

those young fronds are just unfurling.

you can even see a little of the staghorn in amongst them.

i was only thinking this morning

that nature is just full of the miraculous...

and i think seeds are one of them.

what do you consider

as a miracle of nature?

mr t is off to get mr m from brisbane,

he's coming home for a while...

kara is outside at the moment,

unaware of the surprise that awaits her doggy psyche.

she'll be wagging her tail with delight

later today.

by the way...

now we are having problems

with the internet connection

and can't seem to access certain blogsites...

maybe it's the weather???

hopefully it will right itself.

i've got a little christmas crafting to share tomorrow,

nothing very earth shaking

but hopefully i can access my editing stuff

and trim a few dead corners off the photos!

another cosy day...

perfect for a bit of sewing!

i hope your day is perfect for doing what you want to too.

naturally Carol xox

Finding My Feet...

2011-12-06T10:31:00.000+10:00

good morning!

last week's postings

came to an abrupt end

with the arrival of a box of computer parts from my son in taiwan.

mr s sent a whole heap of computer bits

which were intended for this computer and others in the household.

of course,

as soon as possible this computer was dismantled,

new hard drives and programmes were installed

and a whole host of other features were put in and taken out.

i feel i am no longer in familiar territory

and will have to relearn my way around here!

i can't find my photo editor...

so this pic of a poinciana that lives just across from me,

is totally unedited...

isn't this tree spectacular?

all over the city there are splashes of bright red

from these gorgeous poincianas,

most of them planted years and years ago.

some, like this one, take up the whole front or back yard.

as you can see

a misty rain has settled here

and temperatures are cool and wonderful,

very refreshing.

when i wrote last,

i had just applied for my passport

and mr p had just applied for his.

all of them have come back, mr w's, mine and mr p's...

i just have to find out how to retrieve my emails

and print out the e-tickets now!

i have no idea where they've got to...

so please excuse me while i go and look.

have a wonderful tuesday,

it's just the type of day here to visit blogs,

find my emails and go and get a dvd on dollar tuesday!

naturally Carol xox

ps..i've missed you all and can't wait to poke my nose in and find out what you've all been up to!

Tree Candles...

2011-11-29T23:18:00.000+10:00

good evening!

before i pop into bed

just thought i'd write this.

today has been a busy day

getting all mr p's stuff together for his passport application

i spent way to much time in waiting for him

in a hot car with the sun streaming in

my patience being sorely tested.

the first application was rejected

as i hadn't realised my printer had shaved a tiny bit off the bottom of every page

of the application...

so after going to mr p's workplace to get the boss to sign and verify the photo

we had to revisit him to get the page filled in and signed all over again.

then the post office rang to say mr p's boss hadn't filled in the back of the photo correctly,

so we had to pay him a third visit,

then go back to the post office another time as well

to drop it in.

finally at about 4.30 pm

the application was ready and accepted.

thank God we live in a small town

and our house is only just up the road from the main street

so our running around was not much in kilometres

only in the time it still took

to get things right.

continuing the theme of garden treasures...

these plants kind of tumbled out of a tree last year

so i just put bits of them back in other places

and this year they've bloomed spectacularly.

i call them tree candles

but i'm sure they have a real name!

this plant flourishes just like spanish moss

on fresh air and sunshine...

no soil, no food.

very easy to grow!

bright pink...vibrant purple...

this girl is out there

wanting to be seen...

she' s no shrinking violet!

tomorrow is another day...

lunch out with the girls,

good fun.

i hope you've got something fun to look forward to as well.

cheers, big ears!

naturally Carol xox

Grand Designs In Miniature...

2011-11-28T13:59:00.001+10:00

good afternoon!

there is a promise of a storm

bearing down from the north...

i hope it's not wishful thinking.

i'm not going to check the bom website..

i know that is the first thing mr w would say to do,

but if i'm mistaken

at least i'll have had a few hours of anticipation..haha!

i've had my passport photos taken today

contacted a nz friend to get a reference,

she's known me over two years as per requirements..poor girl.

tomorrow i'll post off my application for renewal

by express post

i may even have to pay them extra to get it done pronto.

well that's my own silly fault

for leaving it all to the last month...

it was a month yesterday 'til we fly out to taipei

for mr s and miss amy's wedding..woohoo!

that's my news for today,

now i'll show you a few little garden treasures

that are tiny and perfect....

these orchids are tiny,

only about as big as a thumbnail!

if any of you know what they are called,

i'd love to know.

we found them growing here on our jacaranda

when we bought the house.

they've always lived right next to the rusting 'welcome'

that is stuck for good in the fork of the tree.

the tree as grown around it!

the form, the colour distribution...

exquisite.

this shows the orchids at about three times their natural size!

i found these little moss gardens

on the paling fence...

this part of the fence gets barely a ray of sunshine...

i love looking at these micro environments

wonder at the number of little plants

which make up these tiny gardens!

i will have to leave them there until the fence rots

'cos i can't bring myself to scrape them off .

isn't it amazing how perfect tiny can be!

perfect can come in small packages...

good to remember at Christmas time..

is the Christmas spirit starting to stir you?

i'm storing away a few nuts...

bit by bit.

naturally Carol xox

p.s..the reason why we were able to take pictures of the bird's nest so easily is that it is only a couple of metres off the ground right on the outer limb of the pecan tree!

The Nest...

2011-11-27T14:20:00.000+10:00

good afternoon

on a roasting hot sunday afternoon

in queensland...

i have been awol all week,

a bit of social butterflying with end of year get togethers,

a bit of Christmas sewing,

a bit of wilting under the heat of the day

there you have it..

not a word printed for a week!

but

here i am

having found a sweet surprise

in my back garden...

in the pecan tree to be precise.

there she is..mrs leatherhead,

getting very worried that we are a bit too close for comfort.

just after this photo was taken

she flipped out completely and took flight,

leaving her little eggs to our mercy.

here's a peek at her neatly constructed nest

two brown eggs.

she often leaves them in the middle of the day

when the air temperature is warm and the breeze gently stirring the leaves around her.

i guess she knows what she is doing

i won't have to dob her in to birdie welfare for neglecting her unborn!

this is the bottomside of her nest...

there are even a few little clumps of max's doggy fur

helping to make it warm and cosy.

our nest is very warm today,

if we could think of somewhere cool to fly to

we would!

how is your nest today?

this week i'm going to show you

a few more late spring wonders

that have appeared in our yard this week...

i am in awe of nature at the moment.

naturally Carol xox

Worth a Thousand Words...

2011-11-20T14:15:00.000+10:00

doggy grins!

mr m is home for the weekend

we're all happy!

naturally Carol xox

Bunting Swap...Shabby Gorgeous!

2011-11-17T13:43:00.001+10:00

good afternoon...

at long last

i'm going to show you the delightfully gorgeous

bunting pieces i got from rach at 'squiggley rainbow'

for the bunting swap.

thanks so much rach..i love them!

i do realise this is everybody else's

'old news'

but they're too sweet to not show you..late or not!

i still haven't decided where they're going to hang

but i went out to lincraft this morning

to get a couple of possible contenders

for the 'stringing up part'...

...large navy ric rac?

or...

...white rope?

what do you think?

i have thought about adding a few extras too,

maybe some selvedge inspired flags?

anyway i'm in no hurry...

i think they'll be hung up after xmas sometime

when i get back from taiwan.

what have you been up to today?

have a good one....

naturally Carol xox

Three Boxes...

2011-11-14T12:48:00.001+10:00

of quilts!

hi,

i've had a bloggy break forced upon me in the last week and a bit

by my computer.

it decided to go slow..

then slower

until on tuesday morning,

just when three big boxes arrived

that i desperately wanted to tell you about;

it wouldn't even switch on.

nothing

nought

zero

no fan

just the sound of silence!

then last night

it switched on

but the internet kept returning to the home page!

this morning

mr t did his thing

and got it working for me again...

{he said one of the reasons for a 'go slow'

was that mr m had recorded a whole nights worth of moto gp..motorbike racing

at philip island!...40 gb worth!}

here are the boxes that arrived last tuesday...

i stacked them up in the front room to photograph

poor kara freaked out...

at first she wouldn't go past them

then with some encouragement

she raced past them and leapt on my lap...eeek!

she's not a small dog!

after the photoshoot

i took one box off and she was fine..haha

what was in the boxes?

quilts for queensland

from the delightful corrie...'retromummy'

from sydney

who has been working all year

...since the january floods...

to coordinate a quilt drive

for the flood affected people of queensland.

these quilts

will actually travel back down to brisbane

in a week and a half

to be taken further to ipswich,

where there are 1700 people

still living in conditions which were flood affected!

the organisation 'habitat for humanity'

will distribute these quilts to people who

could do with cheering up

and who need them...

there are all kinds..

for babies,

boys and girls,

teenagers

and

adults.

a big thank you

on behalf of queenslanders

for all the creative effort

that has gone into making these special quilts

by people all around australia!

i know they will be admired and treasured...

and used.

all being well

with the computer,

see ya later...

naturally Carol xox

ps...sorry to read that elodie is sick, corrie..i hope she is recovering fast. it is so worrying when babies are ill, especially for their parents.

On Friday, With Love...

2011-11-04T14:51:00.000+10:00

hi!

i'm sending a bunch of friday love your way today...

just in case

you need some loving

to get you through today...

love and hugs

to all of you...

take as much as you need!

smiles are free

and laughter too

to get you through

the last day of the week.

whether your day is sunny

with joy, peace and love...

or rainy

with tears

or pain

or fear...

i just want to extend a bit of loving

and a special big hug..

to you

from me : )

today!

naturally Carol xox

Thursday's Creative Love...

2011-11-03T17:44:00.000+10:00

hi!

it's late afternoon and i've just turned the computer on.

today has been a day of unexpected events...

but theres a whole serving of love in this thursday as well.

mr t woke up this morning with an enormously severe back pain

that occurrs sporadically and without warning...

he was suffering yesterday

but it was unbearable this morning.

this called for a trip to emergency at the local hospital

so off we went.

safely delivered there with his wife to take care of him

i was able to respond to an invitation for lunch at chatz

which was a lot of fun...

lots of chatting and laughter.

when i got home mr t needed a 'script filled

so off we went again.

mr m also needed a little of his mum's support today...

but isn't that all in a day's duty for a mum?

it's all good now.

i thought we needed an double portion of love

in the family today...

so two hearts are better than one!

despite all of this,

this morning there was a couple of hours of time

for creativity...

i've never tried a 'disappearing nine patch' before..

but had a bit of a go with

a 'hullabaloo' charm pack by urban chiks at moda

and a few kona solid squares as well.

i don't know what else i'll add

but for the moment

these will do...

for more creative spaces...

join kootoyoo here!

there is still more to look forward to...

i think thursday is my favourite tv night at the moment.

7two has 'two thousand acres of sky'

which i'm revisiting 'cos i enjoyed the mini series so much

first time around...

and 'distant shores' which is another 'tree change' type adventure.

i'm really enjoying this too.

i'm off to jog around the blogs

so i may see you somewhere near!

stay happy this thursday...

naturally Carol xox

Big Wednesday Love!

2011-11-02T13:16:00.000+10:00

hi!

what's wednesday's big love?

i'm thinking nautical...

blue skies shining on me

blue skies do i see...

blue oceans..i'm yearning.

{a set of five fifties inspired postcards came in the mail this morning...

i'm lovin' them too..lots of blue skies on this one!}

definitely a bit of summer love going on here this wednesday!

are you embracing the nautical this summer?

do you boat, fish, swim or just love that sparkling sea from the safety and comfort of the sand?

it's all good.

have a great sparkling sunshiney wednesday...

naturally Carol xox

wishing this post was written on a beach somewhere!

What's Not to Love on a Tuesday?

2011-11-01T12:32:00.000+10:00

hi!

this week i am right into sewing a few little selvedge inspired hearts,

so i'm doing a bit of loving this week as well...

tuesday love looks like this....

...there are always double point cappucinos at gj's and new movie releases at blockbuster!

{just in case i'm short on other stuff to do}

...better late than never this morning, prayer started at the same time as i got out of bed this morning,

but got there at 7.30 and still had a great time

...8.00 am cappucino with friends at chatz cafe woke me up properly

...another cuppa, bacon, eggs and tomato at chatz for brekky with a chapter of the book

i'm currently reading at around 10.00 am

...get home and change and go out with a broom to work up a sweat sweeping away the floral carpet

that the jacarandas have left on my front paths and driveway

{they turn into slime if the rain comes}

...peace & quiet for a couple of hours now, so i can blog etc while the rest have gone shopping, yay!

...tuesday night bible college, loving it, only 2 more weeks to go though and then have finished my

two year course

i wonder which horse 'll win the melbourne cup today...must watch

are you in melbourne cup mode today?

hope you win the sweepstakes...

naturally Carol xox

I'm Loving Monday 'Cos....

2011-10-31T13:02:00.000+10:00

hi!

....the new blade on my rotary cutter is gliding through the fabric as though it were butter

...i'm hearing the hum of my sewing machine again

...i'm looking at the bountiful boughs of jacaranda blooms outside the window

...twentysomething mr p did the vacuuming voluntarily this morning with not even

a whisper from me!

...the breeze is cool and the smell of rain is fresh and invigorating

...the dogs are settled, the humans too, it's a peaceful monday.

some days it just feels good to be alive!

naturally Carol xox

p.s...my thoughts go out to our aussie soldiers and their families today....

The Early Bird!

2011-10-29T10:48:00.000+10:00

good morning!

this morning

i'm grateful that

'kara' woke me up with her barking...

{people were parking in her street}

so i had to get up early

they are having their spring fair

at the church across the road...

so i had to get dressed and go

to the fair

early...

and as they say

'the early bird catches the worm'!

well today

i was that early bird....

here are my worms..hehe!

4 x 'johnson of australia' pale green luncheon plates @ 50c ea

{they only wanted $1 for the 4, but that was too cheap}

2 x lemons @ 20c ea

1 x brand new, in the packet still, ham bag @ 50c

4 x butterfly cakes for morning tea @ $1.50

1 x sausage from the sausage sizzle (brekky) @ $2.00

{eaten already!}

then i remembered that lincraft has a 30% off sale for three days

beginning today.

well this early bird scored again...

more worms...

2 reels of thread 250m..a good brand

2 blades for my rotary cutter

1 new rotary cutting board

paid the princely sum of $22.00

for the lot

{30% off + a $10 discount voucher i had waiting for such an occasion!}

and i was home before 10.00 am

hows that?

hoping you find great bargains yourself this weekend...

check out 'maxabella's' place for more grateful ppls!

naturally Carol xox

Where Do You Get It?

2011-10-28T17:52:00.000+10:00

hello, this showery friday evening!

it's lovely to be warm and cosy,

huddled over my computer,

tucked away

in a quiet corner

of my old queensland house.

these were some of the first cushions i ever made.

they were made from a pack of charm squares

'fandango' by kate spain for moda.

a few of you commented and asked me

where i get my fabrics from,

as you have said you like them.

{thanks for the compliment!}

mostly,

i buy from 'hawthorne threads'....

http://www.hawthornethreads.com/

my second choice is

the fat quarter shop....

http://www.fatquartershop.com/

i buy from these shops online

'cos the price is right

and

they have great fabrics...

a myriad of choices

and

if you buy 5 yards at a time

the postage is $12.50...american dollars...

which only adds on a couple of dollars a yard to each fabric.

not all online shops post overseas

but these two do...

and their service is excellent.

when i first bought fabric online

there was a company that i first bought from

whose prices were very low...

but

every now and then

they would short cut the fabric

and

send me pieces that were

several inches short of a yard!

{even after drawing their attention to this fact

they didn't admit to doing it either!}

i hope you have time to spend a few hours this weekend

just browsing and dreaming....

have a great weekend!

naturally Carol xox

Cherry Cherry!

2011-10-27T12:36:00.000+10:00

hi to you, this cool queensland afternoon...

with stormy clouds hovering and the ground wet still from the night rain!

after making jeni's little drawstring bag last week,

i really wanted to make another one

'cos they're just so cute,

easy to make

useful.

i have made a layered frilly apron out of this fabric

and found some leftovers

so thought a bag would be just the thing...

this time i made the drawstrings out of fabric

as per the pattern

thought a lining of red and white polka dots

would look the bees knees...

thanks jeni!

the link above will take you to jeni's lined drawstring bag tutorial...

while you're there check out her other makes,

she is phenomenal.

i'm joining up with 'ourcreativespaces' today too...

thanks kootoyoo.

see you 'round...like a red rubber ball..hehe!

naturally Carol xox

p.s...did you know that the 2012 colour of the year is about this colour?

The Seed That Grew!

2011-10-26T21:22:00.000+10:00

hi!

this seed was probably deposited by bird droppings

into the fork of the jacaranda tree...

and it grew

until it's bright green glossy leaves

broadcast it's existence...

it's an umbrella tree

growing in our jacaranda tree...

what the?

a weed is just a plant

growing in the wrong place at the wrong time...

so he had to go!

pulled out any weeds from your life lately?

{i find it's a constant effort!}

naturally Carol xox

A Finish...

2011-10-25T14:37:00.000+10:00

a big hi!

on this very warm & sunny afternoon....

sometimes finishing something that's been sitting around a while

can be a drag...

just the thought of doing it

wears thin as it's moved from pillar to post.

i've used this as a prop,

cleared it off the table before dinner,

moved it onto the table again

when i've gone to use the sewing machine,

hidden it away for a while

when i wasn't interested

brought it out again

when my conscience has said

'what about that little bit of crocheting you haven't finished?'...haha

well..all along,

in my heart,

i knew

that it would end up covering a teeny little cushion...just 35cm...

'cos the little cushion was just sitting there

begging to be covered!

i know this looks a bit skewiff in this pic...

but it is a lovely cuddly piece of woolly goodness!

just the right size to fit between the small of your back and the sofa,

or rest a weary cheek on while resting your eyes for a moment.

the back..a little less spectacular...

{but just as cuddly!}

by the way...

since my lounge room makeover,

i love having somewhere permanently set up

for the display of a bunch of flowers.

the lilliums are gone,

but a bunch of bright red gladdies

are about to bloom

in among a red flowered,

black berried

piece of bush

that mr w found down the back yard

on the weekend...

it was pretty so we had to keep it.

i've made another of jeni's little bags...

see 3 posts ago..i think...

for my first.

i'll show you next time!

have a creative kind of tuesday...

naturally Carol xox

Unfurling the New!

2011-10-23T16:49:00.000+10:00

good afternoon!

sunday afternoons

are a time of reflection for me...

church just starts me thinking in the morning

about deep things

like pools of water...

hidden things.

mr w is back on his way up north to start a new working week,

the occupants are coming back...

mr w probably passed mr p coming down on the highway

as he went up.

it's got me thinking about new things.

it's a bit like this photo...

the new starts to unfurl

even when the skeletons of the past are still present in our lives.

the new takes time to appear

and grow...

but soon enough

the old will disappear under the canopy of green leaves...

slowly decaying...

feeding the new...

transforming!

sometimes we are disturbed by seeing an old season pass,

changes coming...

we're comfortable with the existing patterns

and routines and landscapes.

there is a grief and mourning that accompanies change some times.

but inevitably

the new comes into focus

it's bright

and the shape of it

captures our attention

becomes established

where the old once existed.

thoughtfully yours....

naturally Carol xox

Grateful for...

2011-10-22T12:49:00.001+10:00

a rare occasion...

{these hibiscus flowers were photographed this afternoon in our front yard}

mr w is home for the weekend...

and all the other regular occupants

{besides me}

are not!

we are home alone!!!!!

{except for three dogs..but they're not saying a thing.}

have a good weekend...

naturally Carol xox

p.s...linking up with 'maxabella' and her grateful buddies.

A Great Idea!

2011-10-21T12:37:00.000+10:00

hi!

i have a great idea to share with you all today...

'crafty rie'

is putting together a 'universal craft blog directory'

this means that if you consider your blog

a craft blog

then you are welcome to add your blog to the directory

even if you're not a craft blogger

then it is a site where you will be able to access craft blogs

by the

gazillion!!!

if you want to be part of it..join me here!

isn't this a great idea from 'crafty rie'??

naturally Carol xox

Jeni's Lined Drawstring Bag...

2011-10-20T17:27:00.002+10:00

good afternoon!

i'm joining in with 'ourcreativespaces' and kootoyoo...

today has been a productive day

and i'm pleased with myself

'cos i've tried something new...

and it worked!

i saw a tutorial on jeni's blog...'in color order'

for a lined drawstring bag.

the one she made is so sweet

i had to try to make one myself.

jeni has inspired me this week

with her amazing fabrics and very professional sewing...

you should really check out her blog.

so here it is...

{we had to go where the light was..

'cos it's stormy and was getting very dark inside the house}

this little bag only takes the equivalent of 3 fat quarters of fabric,

stands up beautifully due to it's 'shopping bag' corners

and is very cute!

i like the way it's neatly lined too

and was very easy to sew!

even hanging around it looks pretty...

it measures about 10" wide and 12 " long,

a good size

and i reckon it would be great for all kinds of things.

wouldn't it be great

with a piece of handmade clothing in it for a christmas present...

or a softie for a baby?

then mum could put clean nappies in it,

it'd hold about three or four,

just right for going out shopping or visiting.

i also made another 'blossom' cushion,

like yesterday's but a little bigger...

they look great with the japanese lady ones

on my chinese chest.

i'm off now to check out some fab creative spaces now...
maybe i'll see yours there!

'til tomorrow...

naturally Carol xox

Almost Wordless Wednesday...

2011-10-19T16:06:00.000+10:00

hi!

"blossom"

is my creative mojo coming back?

naturally Carol xox

Brownie Points!

2011-10-18T15:22:00.000+10:00

good afternoon!

almost every tuesday evening

for the last nearly two years...

i go to bible college.

{i positively can't get enough of learning

what God says through the bible

and understanding the way He works!}

anyway

every tuesday evening

different people provide food for supper.

we begin early..6.30 pm

and go through to 9.30 pm

with half an hour for supper from about 8 til half past.

i don't know quite how it ends up being

but very nearly all nights end up being a feast...

and on the nights various ones of us are restricting our food intake,

it's pretty near impossible to resist.

tonight's my turn...

and this is my part of the feast!

...ok, just for suspense,

besides, this is one of my favourite tea towels!

i'm sure i'll get brownie points for this..hehe!

it's actually two packets of 'betty crocker' brownie mix...

one is the 'rainbow brownie',

the other is the 'caramel brownie'.

i was going to bake them separately

but when i poured the first mixture into the pan

i noticed there was no way it was going to fill it...

so i quickly made the other mix

and poured it in too.

{they only take about 2 minutes each to make up!}

when i was getting the packets of brownie mix from woollies,

i just happened to duck into gloria jeans for a coffee..as you would.

i told sam i was running home to make brownies...

{he works there}

and his mum is going to be there tonight.

he asked whether his mum could keep him a couple of pieces...

how could i resist?

so here is a little package for sam...

so sam's mum

will be instructed to put it in the fridge...

and tomorrow

sam will be over for a visit.

of course the four of us here

just had to have a test piece each...

the middle..where the caramel and mini m&ms collide...

it got thumbs up all 'round...

mmmmmmm....

said a slightly fatter foursome!

naturally Carol xox

Allsorts!

2011-10-17T17:05:00.001+10:00

hi there!

this has been a day of all kinds of pleasures and surprises.

first of all i just want to show you

a couple of rare photos that popped into our email today.

they were begging to be shared...

don't you love this one...
it's always good to see the guys do the dishes,
but wow...michael jackson and paul mccartney?

i've never seen either of them look so relaxed either,
now that's a good reason to do some housework.
i wonder if it'll work with our men?

i can imagine it..
darling how about doing the dishes?
it's so darn relaxing!

now for this one...

i love this for it's style.
two of the most elegant and beautiful stars of the fifties,
dressed up to the hilt
and it's just so romantic!

look at audrey hepburn...the neck of a swan,
and grace kelly...perfection.

well, apart from that

i've sent off one of my 'pay it forward' gifts...

to tasmania.

in fact i had two parcels to tassie in the post today

as i sold a cushion cover to be sent there as well.

i think i love packing them up and sending them out

just as much as making them.

'retromummy' corrie is sending up some quilts to be distributed,

which should be loads of fun

to hand out to people who were affected by this year's floods in january.

most of this area was affected

and further north

so i am sure they'll all find worthy homes.

a big thank you to all who've contributed,

i'll keep you posted.

i won a bag of various balls of wool

from christy...from 'a christy production'

thank you christy!

i don't know what will be made of them

but i'm sure in time

all of them will be useful.

i also found the most darling wall art

at 'poss and wom' on madeit

for the most darling little girl

who's just turned one...

her name is pearl possum..for real!

she has a few difficulties to contend with

in her young life

but is now rolling over

which her mum says is great progress

as doctors didn't think she'd ever be able to...

now they think she'll achieve

but just a little bit slower than others.

i think she's a winner!

i hope you've had an interesting day too!

naturally Carol xox

About the Rain!

2011-10-14T23:10:00.001+10:00

this week

i'm joining with 'maxabella'

'cos there is lots to be grateful

'bout the rain!

growing up in new zealand

i got used to rain...

there is no shortage of rain

but here in australia

i learned to appreciate the rain...

it means a drought is one day further away!

whenever it rains

i can see the trees drinking it in...

the smell of wet earth

and the freshness of the cooled air

are intoxicating to me.

i am comforted by the patter of rain

on our tin roof...

only slightly apprehensive

when it rains hard

'cos the roof is old..very old!

rainy days are cosy days...

i am cocooned by the raindrops

in my safe wooden house...

excused from venturing outside

and given the opportunity

to be entertained and cook comfort food.

thank you Lord for the rain!

naturally Carol xox

Wonky Transmission!

2011-10-11T15:28:00.000+10:00

afternoon all...

i'm feeling a bit under the weather this week..

you know...

just a common cold.

sneezy & wheezy

ticklish throat

runny eyes

etc...

so there may be breaks in transmission this week...

i haven't even felt like sewing!

some good news just recently though...

my eldest boy just rang

to say he's having his wedding photos taken right now...

as we speak.

it's an asian tradition,

the wedding isn't until dec 31st...

but the photos are taken now

and made into an album for the guests

to have and keep when they come to the wedding!

so he is all dressed up in a white suit..wow.

miss b is now a checkout chick at walmart in canada....

she told me yesterday.

she loves getting to know the people she is working with,

and being from oz

i guess she is seeing goods she's never seen before.

i'm happy she has a job.

anyway..have a great week, beavering away

in your neck of the woods.

i'll talk to you again soon!

naturally Carol xox

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

2011-10-09T17:10:00.000+10:00

this morning was one of the most gorgeous i've seen in a while.

the air was fresh from rain,

the leaves, crisp from the cool air,

birds chirping,

gentle sunshine...

light mist filling the gullies...

an early drive to church,

barely a car on the road,

a sunday morning sleepiness pervades the atmosphere.

His Word says His mercies are new every morning...

this is easy to believe on this brand new shiny morning!

a grand new day...

my 301st post.

naturally Carol xox

A Basketful of Flowers...

2011-10-07T15:33:00.000+10:00

hi, how are you this afternoon?

nearly a week ago now

i completely overhauled our lounge room

and then decided to make these cushions.

i haven't decided for sure

whether i'll keep these or sell them,

but i do like them...

this basket lives next to the tv

in an area that is kinda shadowy most of the time...

so i thought some dashing florals would make this basket shine.

these sophisticated ladies

in their best kimonos

are lounging on my chest right now...

they may just be holidaying

or perhaps they'll stay a while.

where are you hanging out this weekend?

wherever you end up

i hope you'll have a great one!

i'm off to bring kara inside...

she barks at the kids next door,

well, not them particularly

but the wheels on their little trikes

send her crazy.

{she doesn't like the wheels on the wheelie bin either!}

see you next week...

naturally Carol xox

Five Pieces of Bunting!

2011-10-05T12:38:00.000+10:00

good afternoon to you!

i was too late for the proper bunting swap

but rachael very kindly said she would swap me

five pieces of my bunting for five pieces of hers.

these pieces will be incorporated into various strings of her buntings

used for whatever purpose she so desires...

it's really stormy looking outside

so there's no sunshine

and the light is dull,

better than inside though

which is very dark and gloomy today indeed.

all the bunting

is made from bits and pieces...

offcuts of fabric and trim.

i made all of these bird ones rectangular

to fit in the whole length and width of the bird and leaves...

they are all backed with this tweety bird fabric too...

all your thoughts for success in my test must have been spot on

'cos i am pleased to report that i passed with 93%...

thank you!

{despite some initial brain freeze..lol}

my next task is to package these babies up

and send them on their way down south.

have a great day!

naturally Carol xox

Just Perfect!

2011-10-04T16:13:00.000+10:00

hi!

thanks for your comments from yesterday...

the picture stays!

of course i couldn't help tweaking..hehe...

so have changed some of the cushions already

just to see if they look better

{though i can tell this may be an ongoing thing!}

today i just wanted to capture these beauties

before they are past their best...

these old walls..built in the 1930's

are made out of horse hair,

they have an unusual texture

and a few bumps and imperfections

have graced them over the years.

i have a revision test i have to study for...

the test is tonight.

it's back to normal tuesdays here.

i wonder what you're up to?

naturally Carol xox

Before & After....

2011-10-03T14:39:00.001+10:00

good afternoon!

thanks for coming to look at my lounge room yesterday,

it was lovely to get all that positive feedback...

i appreciate every single comment.

it was actually mr w

that came up with the idea of filling the space above the cushions on the chinese chest...

have a look at the 'before & after'

and see what you think.

this is looking through from the dining room...

a night view..

{so the light is different from yesterdays shots}

before

the painting is on the wall.

after...

what do you think?

is it too long?

or the frame too bold?

or just the wrong colouring?

i can change the cushions...

i think i'll have to live with it a few days to decide properly.

here is a close up of the painting...

mr s's fiance's mother painted it for me as a gift.

it shows two little birds in a wisteria vine.

all the kids are back at school up here in queensland...

this morning the shopping centre was school kid free

and i had a relaxing cappucino at gloria jeans

with a piece of raisin toast.

i seriously had to give away eating so much banana bread

as it is the equivalent of eating four slices of cake ..i think!

whether you are surrounded by holidaying kids

or back to 'normal'...

i hope you're having a splendid monday!

naturally Carol xox

My {Renovated} Lounge Room...

2011-10-02T17:25:00.000+10:00

hi!

over the last few days

i've been inspired by 'the renovators'

to do something about our lounge room.

i would have taken some pics of the 'before'

except that i was so ashamed of it that i wouldn't want anyone to see them.

suffice to say it was cluttered and messy

and nothing coordinated with anything else.

just took some pics of 'after'...

it all started when we realised that the white net curtains on the windows...

suitable for letting a bit of winter sun in,

wouldn't cut out the strong summer sun that was just beginning to be a problem.

i had made the cushions and had just got another yard of this fabric

and thought it may make a suitable blind-like curtain,

teamed up with another from this range.

what do you think?

another wall...

that's ellie walking past in the right hand corner.

i think there is something needed on this wall.

i'll know it when i find it!

{and the cushions may change without notice too!}

the opposite wall...

i shifted the old cream sofa chair to the front room

and decided to use this as a feature chair here.

the small table was left behind from miss b,

i think it's from ikea.

the other end of the black couch...

that corner now resplendant with a bunch of lilliums

was the messiest eyesore of the room before.

miss j...notice your handmade coasters on the table!

the opposite end of the room...the entertainment centre.

all of the dvds and the wii are now packed away neatly in these drawers

and the tall narrow bookcase near the chest has a selection of reference books...

right at my fingertips!

this took me a couple of days to reorganise...

this white cabinet was under the house since mr m moved in a couple of years back...

he's since moved on and he left it and one of the chinese chests here.

the black couch and the coffee table were mr s's and he's moved on too,

both round tables and one chest were miss b's...she's gone off as well!

thank you to all my kids

for leaving home

and leaving your furniture behind..i love it!

{and the room would be a lot barer without it all,

in fact i think only the white chair and the narrow bookshelf are mine!}

i hope you will have a wonderful week everyone...

see you soon.

naturally Carol xox

Freedom Garden...

2011-09-26T16:11:00.000+10:00

good afternoon!

it's been a beautiful day here

and what is better

is that i feel free.

yesterday my thoughts were tying me up in knots

and making decisions seemed impossible...

i felt like the father in 'fiddler on the roof'.

i should do this...

no,

on the other hand...

etc etc etc.

then my amazing little sister rang me

and the advice she gave just freed me up...

i think she knows me better than most

and she told me just how i was thinking

and where i was screwed up!

boy was i screwing things up...

i was like a large knot.

so even though i cut these out on saturday,

i couldn't sew them

'cos i wanted happy thoughts

to be in my head while i sewed..lol.

sunday they just sat there

then this morning i was happy!

have i sorted everything?

not really..'cos this one's a journey.

but now there is hope.

now i am thinking about the freedom i do have

to make choices...

not what i should do

but what i could do

it's my choice...

i can choose anything!

are you feeling boxed in today?

by circumstances...

or the people around you?

it's your choice...

what kind of person do you want to be?

{in your heart of hearts}

people perish without a vision

that's true!

start to build a picture of who you want to be

from the inside out...

it's your choice.

today will be the day you choose to be who and what you want to be...

so will tomorrow....

and the next day!

etc..etc...etc...

naturally Carol xox

Just Grateful!

2011-09-24T14:29:00.001+10:00

good afternoon...

here's the other bit of the dog

whose tail was on the couch yesterday....

this is mr max

for those that haven't met him yet.

he is normally placid

but if he's hungry

the other dog's had better watch out...

he reacts a bit like all the males i know when they're hungry..hehe!

he is quite possessive as well

which i think normally gets called loyal in dog circles.

he is now peacefully lying at my feet as i type...

ellie and kara are off doing other things.

today i am grateful for...

the company of my little pack of dogs,

'cos when the others are involved in their own stuff

these three are always by my side

no matter what.

today

the grateful links are up at

lioness lady

see you soon...

naturally Carol xox

Oranges and Lemons...

2011-09-23T12:55:00.000+10:00

good afternoon!

it's friday again..

it comes around so quickly!

i seem to say that every friday,

but it's true.

this week i've finished off

a couple of very bright cushions...

big pops of colour...

but with a woodsy kind of seventies vibe...

doesn't that colour just explode right at you?

normally i would edit this photo

and crop it to make max's tail disappear

but i just thought i'd give you a peek

at the general chaos that usually accompanies my photo shoots!

so take good note of the crinkles on the black lounge,

the curtains stuffed into the back of the couch

and the unkempt affair of a tail hanging around

..hehe.

now you can pick up the seventies vibe..

the wooden daisy buttons

and the coffee bean brown contrast.

this is the edited version of lemon sunshine woodland fern...

where the decor or tidiness of my loungeroom doesn't matter!

max has been banished offscreen!

in the light of early morning

the glow in the dark factor seemed to multiply

in the pics taken

on the black couch...

the cushions really don't glow like this in real life...

really!

i was led this week

in my creative endeavours

by the sunny days

and growing warmth of spring

and these bright shades

epitomised the look of summer to me.

what has led your creativity this week?

have a great weekend!

naturally Carol xox

I Want to Play Too!

2011-09-22T10:36:00.000+10:00

good morning!

i was taking the washing down the stairs

and spotted kara just above me...

hanging out mr p's bedroom window.

'i want to play too!' she said.

{she really does think she's talking sometimes,

whenever she wants something

she comes and sits in front of me

and makes noises and moves her mouth

just like she's talking..hehe}

miss b...kara sends her love!

hope you're having a wonderful thursday

and get an opportunity to play today...

naturally Carol xox

Whatcha Up To?

2011-09-21T15:44:00.000+10:00

good afternoon!

just thought i'd type up a few thoughts

and let you know how things are going here.

it's school holidays

so although i haven't any kids at school

all my regular 'during the week' activities halt

and we all relax

just as if we did have kids on holidays.

on monday i did a bit of sewing

but i haven't done any since..haha!

yesterday i pottered around sorting out a few magazines

blogged a little..just dropping comments

willy nilly as they came to mind..as you do...

strewn like little daisies on a green lawn...

well perhaps not that poetically!

today

i dropped off my reread and sorted home decor mags

to one of my favourite cafes

and of course had to stop for a large cappucino,

though i did take my study notes

and made a good headway on writing down some notes for a test after the hols.

yay!...that clears my conscience somewhat.

i also bought one of their delicious quiches..

handmade on site,

and brought it home for my dinner tonight.

we have decided on a run of doing meals separately around here.

my dilemna was that i really need to lose some weight...

not that quiche was necessarily the best choice there..oh well...

and mr t and s like a smattering of takeaways

and meals that are a bit heavier than i should eat...

and mr p likes to either pick up something on the way home from work,

or eat after going to the gym, which is too late for me.

so we are fending for ourselves

and doing separate grocery shopping...

we'll just have to see how it all works out.

at the moment

i am just enjoying the freedom

of only having myself to look after.

it means i'm totally responsible too,

for what i buy and cook and eat...

just what i need at the moment.

if you live with other people

do you find it hard to eat what you should

like i do...

or are you very strong minded

and health conscious anyway?

i'd love to hear your thoughts...

have a brilliant day!

naturally Carol xox

Grateful for...Strauss!

2011-09-18T14:00:00.000+10:00

hi & good afternoon!

on this happy sunny weekend

i am grateful for strauss

{all of them}

and the vienna philharmonic orchestra...

there was a repeat performance yesterday on sbs

of their new years day concert

i have loved the music of strauss

ever since i heard the enchanting 'blue danube'.

when i was about fourteen

i remember asking for a cassette tape of strauss' music...

especially the waltzes.

it was the first bit of classical music i ever loved.

so yesterday

my joy was full

as i listened to the orchestra,

took in the sights of austria and the surrounding european countries

sewed.

i realised as i sewed

that the pattern on the fabric

of swathes of pink roses

matched the pink roses that were decorating the great hall

that the orchestra was playing in.

the vienna town hall

is always exquisitely decorated...this year was no exception

with 30,000 rosy hued blooms

and greenery to cheer the audience up

in the snowy austrian winter

dozens of crystal chandeliers swinging and sparkling

sending light

from the painted and moulded ceilings.

dressed formally

the orchestra played,

beautiful ballerinas danced

the audience

in all their best finery

cheered and clapped

enthusiastically!

not quite austrian...

but a 'parisienne apartment',

oh, well.

hoping you're enjoying your sunday!

naturally Carol xox

Pretty Special!

2011-09-16T13:08:00.000+10:00

hi..

i can't believe it's already friday!

i don't really know what has happened to this week

it' just flown by...

and here we are at the end of it

again!

i started the week off with a few dreamy blues

well,

i'm ending it in the pink

with two pretty special fabrics

which were whispering in my ear...

make me into very cute cushions

for a girl somewhere.

having ignored them for a few weeks,

wanting to savour this fabric and it's sweetness first,

i could put them off no longer

got out my ricrac to match

a length of pink bobbley bits

and sewed them all into these...

these cute little vespas

are already to go...

vroom, vrooming in amongst the pink polka dots

big and small

orange and pink...

sewing in the bobbles

all the way around was a bit tricky...

but lots of fun

i just love sewing anything pink

which i think goes back to having four boys

and being surrounding by blue,

with only one daughter,

who, of course, i couldn't make wear pink all the time..could i?

she tells me now

she didn't really like her pink painted room...

but i must say i did

and she didn't say very much at the time.

oh, that's right...

i painted it when she was away on holiday!

{i must have been a bad, bad mum!!}

i hope she doesn't feel scarred for life

by pinkness.

although i am absolutely certain

she'd love these cushions

and the vespas and spots, ricrac and bobbley deliciousness...

aren't you?

i hope you have much deliciousness

planned for your weekend...

and knowing there'll be blue skies here

helps a lot!

naturally Carol xox

My Blue Heaven!

2011-09-12T16:41:00.000+10:00

hi!

this fabric

is as close to blue heaven as i could get...

romantic and dreamy

and just adore blue and white stripes,

they are a match made in heaven...truly!

want a closer look at the stripes?

and the back?

now just imagine yourself

lying in amongst this trio of comfy blue goodness

on your freshly painted verandah...

under blue skies

this summer!

yep...

i'm just imagining it now...

hang in there...

summer's coming to oz...very soon!

naturally Carol xox

The End of a Weekend...

2011-09-11T17:08:00.001+10:00

it's closing in on sunday afternoon...

mr w was home for the weekend

so i've had good company with my coffee

and my back got scratched in just the right places...

the washing is done and dry..thanks to the wind yesterday

the gutters are clean...

the grass is mown...

the paths are tidy...

church has been attended...

the pot plants are fed and watered...

it's all good!

how was your weekend?

naturally Carol xox

Changing My Mind...

2011-09-09T11:09:00.000+10:00

good morning!

if you want to see some pretty pink cushions..

scroll down to the previous post,

it is less than 24 hours since i posted,

but i've something on my mind.

identity theft.

it suddenly occurred to me a week or so ago

that some parts of my identity

i think i have hidden well on my blog...

but other things i have been foolish about.

one of those foolish things

was celebrating my birthday when it occurred.

i've just deleted that post.

i've just visited another blog..which i won't identify...

but it is a common occurrence...

where people celebrate their childrens' birthdays

or wedding anniversaries etc etc

and i'm just wondering if these would all add up to

unscrupulous people using this info to profile you

and lead to identity theft?

what do you think?

are we too careless with information?

the banks and other lending institutions or even telco companies etc..

should be a lot tighter in demanding identification

but in my opinion they're greedy and will sell their product rather than make these demands.

so should we have to help ourselves in this area more?

these baby staghorns multiply abundantly

given the right conditions!

crime does too!

concerned today...

{i don't think i'm being paranoid, what do you think?}

naturally Carol xox

In the Pink!

2011-09-08T23:41:00.000+10:00

good evening!

i know this isn't my usual blogging time...

at least not usually the time i write posts anyway,

but my mind just wasn't in the right space to write earlier...

too much going on around me!

my little 'madeit shop' needs some new covers

lately i've made some things for me and my sister

but not for the shop.

these two will spruce things up

and add a splash of pink spring fun to any space!

by the time i fiddled around and got them made

the light was beginning to fade.

so i took them outside to get the last of the sunlight

and found a lovely flat rock to sit them on beside the fence.

i love this one particularly

'cos i started off by making a mistake

and put buttonholes on the large square of fabric

that was originally the front.

i didn't realise it til i'd joined the two pieces together

and they were nearly the same size!

anyway i had one scrap left over

and ended up joining them near the base of the cushion

with the last of my white bobbles in between.

funny thing is ...

it's now my favourite of the two

as i love the way the bobbles just sit perfectly on the bottom

echoing the top beautifully!

some mistakes were just meant to be made...

next time i'll do that manouvre purposefully..hehe!

this one's teamed with black

a smart look...

with clear buttons.

a pair of cushions for a bunch of pink fun...

wouldn't they be great teamed with lots of white

on a lovely front porch

or taken outside on a warm day

for a relaxed and comfy picnic

or a reading session on soft grass...

well at this stage with my grass growing at enormous speed,

with a little bit of spring sunshine and a few spring showers,

i think i may get lost out the back if i lie down in it!

just as well mr w is coming home this weekend...

we'll trade him some belated father's day pressies

for some lawn mowing skills!

you'll find some more creativity

over at 'ourcreativespaces' with kootoyoo.

whooppeee..it's almost friday!

have a wonderful weekend too, everybody...

naturally Carol xox

Clean Corners!

2011-09-05T11:07:00.000+10:00

good morning!

over the last week or so

i have had a rare rush of desire..

probably brought on by springlike signs...

to clean up some corners

in my house.

over winter a hibernating urge

usually overtakes me to some extent

and my corners become creepy with dust and debris

and general neglect...

so when the light changes in the spring

all of a sudden those corners

look very dreary indeed.

these are a couple of corners

i've focussed on in the last few days....

this little corner at the end of the kitchen bench

was overrun by dust and cobwebs

random bits of paper with recipes scrawled out upon them

and then tossed aside...

dusty books and dusty tins.

all is organised with my coffee making bits,

{coffee machine donated by my eldest son upon moving to taiwan!}

chopping boards neatly lined up

and my sweet blue blender ready for action!

this is the newly organised home of my fabrics...

it beats a plastic box on the floor...

kind of colour sorted...

not to the nth degree yet!

some of my eclectic collection of china and glass!

a few of my favourite artglass items...

isn't it great when you rediscover your treasures,

reaffirm just how much you like them

and wash them and they're fresh and gleaming again

looking just like the day you got them!

this little jug and the deep blue vase

were the first pieces of artglass i ever bought.

i saw this amazing glass shop in parnell in auckland,nz

and my sister and i got there just after closing time.

the shop owner saw us with our noses pressed to the window

and opened the shop again

letting us in to browse

among the amazing glassware.

after carefully choosing the little crystal, colour studded jug

and the inky blue vase also shot with fabulous colours

i guarded them carefully

and with a sneaking song of joy in my heart

brought them back to australia

to cherish forever!

i love the memories of a perfect sisterly day out

treasures found,

made possible by an act of kindness

from a shop owner tired from a day at work already...

i am hoping

today

you may find an opportunity

to make someone's day

by being kind or thoughtful...

it will make your day too!

naturally Carol xox

p.s...the red bowl trimmed with orange and the vase at the back with the clear top were subsequent gifts from my parents for birthdays. the small green and white bowl was bought on my last trip over to nz..i love all of them!

Gratefully...

2011-09-03T11:09:00.000+10:00

enjoying a wonderful saturday morning!

thank you to all who've visited me this week

left lovely comments behind for me to read.

thank you to all my recent followers,

i'm going to enjoy getting to know you better,

thank you to all those i have got to know

over the past year...

i look forward to your company

every time i log on here!

one of the joys of winter

here in australia,

is an abundant supply of fresh oranges...

just before we move into the warmer months

leave our winter goodness behind,

i want to write an ode to these golden orbs...

i love

their fresh tangy-ness

sweet

deliciousness!

i buy the big 3kg bags through winter...

plenty to peel and eat

plenty for juicing too...

practically effortless with an electric juicer.

mmmm! juicy...

a glass of liquid sunshine.

oranges

...i love you just the way you are!

have a great weekend everyone...

eat an orange..hehe!

naturally Carol xox

Missed It!

2011-09-01T12:27:00.000+10:00

well wouldn't you know it...

yesterday was my blogs first birthday

and i missed it...

not due to my own lack of diligence though,

my computer wouldn't function.

it wouldn't even turn itself on for me...

well, i pressed the 'on' button but there was no response,

just a little flicker from the monitor,

that was all.

fortunately we have at least one computer savvy person

in this household...

and mr t took a look

got me another video card

voila..here we are again.

{though i think the colour needs a bit of adjustment!}

i did a bit of crocheting this morning....

it's the first time in ages that

i've even felt like doing some...

then i just had the urge to create something in green and cream.

i don't quite know what it's going to turn into yet either...

but while the urge lasts i'm going with it!

i'm still going to have a giveaway for my first blog birthday

but as 'madeit' is having problems

i will delay that and let you know when that will be.

i took part in a 'pay it forward' exercise

and being one of the first three commenters

on shez's blog... 'enjoying life'

she sent me a beautiful black bag that she made!

...thanks shez!

i love it!

it is soft and textured,

fully lined with pockets inside for keeping keys or other knick-knacky things...

i'm thinking it will be perfect for taking out in the evening.

now it is my turn to pay it forward.

the first three people who say they would like me to make them

something just for them...

will get something during the next year...

yes you have a whole year to pay it forward...

then when you receive something from me,

it's your turn to pay it forward

to three people on your blog!

if you want to play..then just say it

with a comment!

if you don't say specifically that you want in

then I won't take it that way...ok?

sounds like fun doesn't it!

see you over at 'our creative spaces'!

naturally Carol xox

It's Mine!

2011-08-29T12:12:00.000+10:00

good ~~morning~~..haha! it's just turned into afternoon!

it was such a fresh sunny morning out there

that before sitting down

i just had to peg the washing out on the line to dry

and do a bit more cleaning and sorting.

at the end of winter here in australia

i find the light changes

and all those corners that looked ok in the dimness of winterlight

look musty and dusty in springlight

and need a thorough going over!

yesterday, however,

i made up the second fabric that i bought

in the ty pennington range.

i made two luxury size cushions...

for my house.

these won't be going on madeit!

they will eventually be on the black leather couch

but the light was better here for pictures this morning...

birds & butterflies...

first cushion.

this was the best of the pics on the black couch...

notice all the light at the top of the cushion.

i think they'll look good here though.

birds & butterflies

second cushion...

both backs are very similar...

teamed with plain black kona quilting fabric

and black buttons.

i embroidered different flowery tags in shades of coppery orange

to emphasise the lovely tangerine flowers on the fabric.

stacked on the chinese chest...

another angle.

i thought i might make up the other more geometric fabric

in a pair of smaller cushions to go with these

on the black couch.

i don't know whether they'll happen straight away though!

any more sunshine

and it'll be more spring cleaning

on my list do do first.

i hope all of you

on the eastern u.s.a coast

are ok after hurricane irene....

and all those around the phillipines

and taiwan

and places in between

are ok too after the typhoon.

stay safe and have a good monday!

naturally Carol xox

My Lacey Grey Creative Space...

2011-08-25T09:47:00.001+10:00

good morning!

this is bright and early for me to be here,

but i was filled with energy this morning

couldn't wait to get started.

so first thing i took some photos

of my newest little cushion

after seeking the room with the most light,

and that wasn't easy!

reminiscent of moroccan architectural detail

a fine lacey design

in soft grey...

discreetly buttoned up at the back...

closer!

more of

ty pennington's 'impressions'

in pure cotton decor weight fabric

are calling out to be made up...

these two are more in the latte/choc colour theme

but equally beautiful.

i'm joining in with kootoyoo's 'our creative spaces' today...

what's going on in your neck of the woods

this fine thursday?

i can smell spring coming

am getting a bit of an urge to do some

reorganising and

dare i say it

a little spring cleaning!

naturally Carol xox

What Do You Think?

2011-08-24T17:49:00.000+10:00

good afternoon!

i went into picnik.com last night

redid my header.

i'm coming up to a year old here

on the 31st...

so thought i'd do a new look to celebrate...

what do you think?

i hope you'll still find a friend here!

just a few last pics from noosa...

i'm totally in love with the sea

the colours

the dance of the waves on the beach

the sounds they make.

the boardwalk...

i almost took pics of peoples' legs

as they walked past..but thought maybe i shouldn't.

snippets of conversations

as they walked past

often amused us....

a late afternoon cappucino

we were unwittingly

observers of this wedding photo shoot

before the party was rained on

they ran off to get shelter!

and no.. i didn't take photos

of the cushion today..

so will have to show you tomorrow...

i apologise for my slackness.

have a lovely relaxing evening!

naturally Carol xox

Home Before the Rain!

2011-08-23T11:19:00.000+10:00

morning all!

i'm turning my weekend into a trilogy..haha!

i guess it was a big deal

as i hadn't left our little city

for over a year..

what with my knee probs

and mr w being away working a lot etc etc etc.

sometimes before you know it

time just flies and here you are

just sitting at home.

last weekend broke the drought

i'm glad!

sunday morning

was relaxed.

our hotel bed was soft and comfy

and we really didn't have to rush.

the dogs weren't there to beg to be fed

and

we just had to meander downstairs

and across the road to have brekky right by the beach.

so we did.

after brekky we sat by the water

and watched the world go by

the storm clouds rolled into the bay...

the sun shone briefly

and some people played...

but already the wind was whipping up!

the clouds were moving in closer...

so after one last look down the beach

we packed up and headed for home...

beating the rain by a few hours!

when we got home

mr w headed off..back to work.

and

what else was there to do

on a wet windy afternoon

but

blog!!

thankful that the rain had held off

the sunshine had stayed

for our noosa weekend away...

naturally Carol xox

p.s..have done a little sewing & will show you a new cushion to start a new

little collection tomorrow!

The Afternoon...

2011-08-22T11:37:00.000+10:00

good morning!

on saturday afternoon..

after 'the lunch',

which finished at nearly three...

we crossed the road

and headed for the beach.

noosa beach

is a beautifully calm sheltered beach,

great for swimming

or walking along.

mr w and i

strolled and sat

and talked.

this is some of what we saw...

oh..

and by the way,

we had an encounter

of the famous kind!

we were sitting at a table in the food court

about half an hour before we were due to go to 'the lunch'...

mr w needed a drink..coke zero...not rum and coke...

mr kevin rudd

{australia's current foreign minister

& ex prime minister}

just appeared in front of us,

walking through with two of his kids.

i looked up

saw him and my eyes just locked with his for a second

while i recognised who he was...

then he lifted his hand and gave a bit of a wave

and said 'hi, how are you?'

we just nodded

and he walked past

as another table crowded with youths

yelled out to him..'hello, mr rudd'.

he looked healthy and his white hair shone,

he wore his customary blue shirt and cream chinos...

he was taller than i had expected

and had more of a presence about him

than i thought he would have.

in fact

he looked just as though

he had stepped out of my tv

into my real life...

then back out again..lol!

isn't life

serendipitous???

naturally Carol xox

The Lunch...

2011-08-21T13:30:00.000+10:00

hi!

just got back from our weekend noosa break

our very important

meet the parents of the bride lunch...

{mr w and i are the parents of the groom}.

we went to cato's...

it was a beautiful sunny day.

this is ella...

she is adorable...

{she is the daughter of the bride-to-be's brother}

she was tired from exploring the eumundi markets in the morning,

but after her mum took her out for a bit of a break

she settled down again and was very well behaved.

the lunch was a great success.

mr s is marrying into a wonderful family

who are close and friendly

and welcomed us with open arms...

we feel privileged to be part of their lives now!

hasting street

i was amused, delighted and proud

to discover that my son

had asked for their daughter's hand in marriage

in mandarin {chinese}...

miss a's parents were very touched by the gesture too.

i'll show you some beach pics

and tell you about the rest tomorrow!

naturally Carol xox

Purple Flower Power in Noosa!

2011-08-19T12:20:00.000+10:00

good day!

this morning

these came in the post

fresh from cam @ curlypops!

thanks cam for sending my purple brooch so promptly

for the little green owly mirror too!

i loved your package wrapped with hot pink yarn and sequins

arriving early this morning

just in time

for a very important weekend.

my eldest son is getting married at the end of the year...

new year's eve to be precise.

he is to marry a beautiful taiwanese girl

whose parents are here in australia at the moment.

tomorrow

we are lunching together...

at a lovely hotel in noosa

meeting each other for the very first time!

mr w and i are spending the

night there too

and making it into a weekend away...

a little bit of luxury.

we're hoping

for good outcomes

all around!

wishing you all a great weekend too...

naturally Carol xox

ps..i'll be the one wearing ms curlypop's purple brooch!

Spot!

2011-08-18T17:19:00.001+10:00

good afternoon!

the weather hasn't improved...

but,

just like my gorgeous friend kim commented...

after

a moment of introspection

it's a good idea

to think some good positives

get on with it!

so after getting out of the house today

enjoying a delicious kebab for lunch
with mr t for company...

i came home
&

decided on a little project just for fun

made "spot"!

'spot'

was made from cath kidston's book 'sew!'

{he is otherwise known as the stanley toy}

but

i always wanted a dog called 'spot'..hehe!

i think i was meant to attach the ears after the body was sewn up..

but i didn't

so his ears stood up on end!

i had to put a few stitches behind his ears

to make them flat...

he's the only one in the family whose had plastic surgery.

here he is again...

just hanging around the kitchen,

like most dogs.

just pop over to 'kootoyoo'

for other crafty fun!

i hope your thursday turns into fun...

naturally Carol xox

Restless...

2011-08-17T15:16:00.000+10:00

hi!

today i feel like the weather looks!

restless.

yesterday was glorious..warm sunshine..blue skies.

today there was blue sky and black thunderclouds bobbing around!

i know just what that feels like.

inside i'm restless...

i want to make something different

but i'm just not sure where to start

what to start with.

some areas of my life feel like this

i feel like a glass half empty girl!

but you know that ain't half bad.

sometimes i even like to be a 'glass fully empty' girl..

just so that i can examine the glass

of my life

and see what it really is.

am i genuine?

do i truly believe in what i'm doing?

have i integrity in what i'm doing?

do i need to change anything in my life right now?

am i moving into a new season?

or need a tweak here and there?

or just take a nanna nap from the usual?

oh, yes...

sometimes i am an introspective soul!

but

that's how i get to know myself.

then

i can allow myself to be filled up again...

renewed

and refreshed

and enjoy

all those things that make life full and abundant

and amazing!

are you ever restless?

do you feel that you know yourself well?

do you like what you see..on the inside?

just pondering...

naturally Carol xox

Much to Twitter About...

2011-08-15T11:35:00.000+10:00

good morning!

today is a bright and beautiful monday morning..

and this twitter has just come from my sewing space...

so much tweeting going on!

little jenny wren is hopping about...

in amongst the

blue zinnias on the black couch!

have a lovely monday

all you gorgeous people!

if you missed out on the giveaway last week

don't despair...

there will be another at the end of the month

there being my first blogging anniversary to celebrate!

naturally Carol xox

Slow Cookin' Sunday...

2011-08-14T17:32:00.000+10:00

hi there!

it has been a four-in-one season day today..

in fact the morning started off foggy,

then the sun came out and warmed us all up,

but that was followed by black clouds

and at the moment its raining!

i went to church this morning..

this always starts the day off just right ..for me.

at church i got talking to a young woman

with a baby about casseroles..and

only just having made one myself last week

that i enjoyed i offered to show her how.

mrs z, her husband mr d and baby j

are word game addicts and had been puzzling over a few missing answers

to their puzzles,

so we worked them out together over a cuppa

at my house.

then we got working in the kitchen

creating this slow cooker casserole...

pretty much the basic formula.

well now, dinner is made,

company enjoyed,

time for a movie

play time with the dogs...

and that's a good slow cooked sunday...

gratefully enjoyed!

{pop over to maxabellas for some more grateful...}

naturally Carol xox

The Winners Are Picked!

2011-08-12T10:11:00.000+10:00

good morning!

thank you to all of my followers who participated in the giveaway

running here this week!

please forgive me for not showing the random number generator...

it is my fault

as i was so eager to pick the second winner after seeing the first,

i forgot to save a pic of the first,

so didn't bother getting a pic of the second

as it would have been a bit weird to have one

without the other.

i hope that makes sense to you???

here are the winners...

mindy

'in the loop'

her choices were

'island girl'

'scootin' 'n' scarves'

the second winner is...

sue

'astrachic'

her choices are the two purple paisley cushion covers...

mindy and sue

congratulations!

as soon as you email me your addresses these will be winging their way to you!

thank you to all of you for following this little blog of mine

journeying with me through thick and thin...

{though hopefully getting thinner!!! lol}

have a great day & a lovely weekend ...

i'm going to show you a few newies later!

{they'll be in my madeit shop today}

naturally Carol xox

Blue Zinnia!

2011-08-09T15:44:00.000+10:00

good afternoon!

just made...

"blue zinnia"

see yesterdays post for details of my giveaway

if you're interested.

a week ago

i was interrupted by a health scare...

it is good to be around

today!

i am thankful

more than ever

for

life!

live life to the fullest this tuesday...

naturally Carol xox

A Gift...

2011-08-08T10:02:00.001+10:00

good morning!

at seven o'clock this morning

i went to let the dogs outside

and saw this amazing rainbow!

rainbows are a reminder of a promise kept...

and my promise to you..

my followers,

was to host a giveaway

when you reached 200 strong.

so as a heartfelt thank you

to all of you,

who at the moment number 201...

here is how we are going to play

my giveaway game....

this is for my followers exclusively...

go to my 'madeit' site....

and pick out your two favourite items,

then make a comment on this post.

the random number generator will pick out

2 winners

who will win

2 items each, the same or similar, to those items you've picked out!

this giveaway will close sometime on friday 12th august

and i will notify the winners by email

and on this blog.

enjoy yourselves..

i hope you find something you like.

you are my pot of gold...

thank you so much for your friendship

your care and concern

your loyalty

for being your delightful, insightful, creative selves!

all followers

new and older

...good luck!

have a marvellous monday ...

naturally Carol xox

Taking Time to Celebrate...

2011-08-07T17:26:00.000+10:00

good evening!

my friend ada turned eighty this week

and yesterday her daughter brought together a room full of her friends

and we had afternoon tea.

ada is the first person in her eighties who i call a friend

my dad is eighty

but he's my dad..that's different.

when i first moved to this city

i went out on a ladies supper evening to a local cafe with a group of women,

and ada and i just connected.

it was like talking to my mum and my grandma and a very good friend

all at the same time.

this is how a lot of girls dressed in the forties

when ada would have been a teenager...

but i think in rural queensland

a lot more of them would have been doing this...

i remember ada telling me that

when she was about twelve or so

her family was so poor

she had to cartloads of wood

and sell them to save enough money

to buy her underwear...

'cos her family couldn't afford it.

i can't even imagine being that poor.

fortunately today

ada is not that poor anymore

and lives a comfortable life

gardening, sewing and enjoying her family,

loving God

and has many friends.

her birthday afternoon tea was special

and had a kind of grace and elegance

not often seen.

her daughter brought a lavender coloured cake

up all the way from melbourne...

we had canapes, punch and birthday cake,

made speeches up

about how we knew her..

and celebrated by singing her favourite songs together.

thank you ada

for showing me

a different era of life and a slower

more caring way of living!

happy 8oth birthday ada..

i hope your 80's rock..gently!

happy birthday to all you august babes out there too!

naturally Carol xox

To You...

2011-08-04T13:24:00.000+10:00

good afternoon!

there's a balmy breeze outside...

it's a wonderful day!

naturally Carol xox

p.s..if there are any more developments i will let you all know...

An Interruption...

2011-08-03T14:28:00.000+10:00

hi all!

{louis vuitton

red cross monogram medicine box..}

i've been out of action the last 24 hours...

not that you would've been looking for me,

but tuesday night

i experienced a pain and called an ambulance.

it was the full 000 and all that.

the paramedics were great

and took me down the road..about 3 mins drive

to our local hospital.

they checked me all over...

put me on machines to test stuff,

i'm ok.

i got to know a few lovely blokes during the day...

ray..who only has 2 months to live..the big c,

owen..who has empheseimia..can't breathe

tony..with fluid in his lungs.

i was pleased to be able to walk out,

but spare a thought and a prayer

for those who you know that can't.

yes..i was in the men's ward.

it was the only bed left in the hospital

i had curtains..so i had privacy

when i needed it so it was ok.

the drs and nurses were great too

so i am thankful.

to all of you who are not feeling well today...

i'm hoping that you'll feel better very soon.

with love

naturally Carol xox

I Woke Up & It Was August!

2011-08-01T10:11:00.000+10:00

good morning!

this is just how it seems this morning...

the year here started with a flood,

dashed through to autumn,

the winter is flying by

here we are in august...

it's nearly spring!

they say time flies when you're having fun..

and i really think the older you get the faster time goes..

or seems to anyway..hehe!

i made these in july..

on saturday -

but i think they celebrate august

and are a little foretaste of spring.

blue skies and golden days ahead...

miss b left me the little yellow stool

when she went to canada...

and she's still there

so the yellow stool is still here!

the fabric is more of the 'england swings' range

i think i love every fabric in this selection...

they are 'happy colours'

don't mind getting mixed up together!

in august i'm looking forward to

bunches of daffodils

crisp mornings and blue sky days

meeting mr s's future in-laws

pleasures that are at this moment unknown...

oh..

and celebrating my first year of blogging at the end of the month..

and

there will be a giveaway...

if you've noticed

i've nearly 200 followers

so there will be a giveaway to celebrate that ~~when~~ if we get there as well..

and i have a special idea for that!

what are you especially looking forward to in august?

{apart from it being the last month of winter!}

naturally Carol xox

p.s..yes these are available in my madeit shop!..thank you for asking.

Free Sunshine!

2011-07-29T10:18:00.000+10:00

good morning sunshine!

{that's you!}

yesterday 'lovestitch'

bestowed upon me a

sunshine award...thankyou!

{by the way..'lovestitch' has a fabulous crochet blog..

she is extremely talented}

i have decided to break the rules

'cos i want you to take this award

if you feel you have a sunshiney blog!

just comment below that you are taking it if you feel you want it..

and the first 10 people to take it and comment can have it.

if you don't want to take the award

feel free to comment anyway.

i have decided to pass it on this way

'cos quite a few don't like awards

and quite a few get all the awards

and some people who should have one never get one

and

i often forget people who i should award

'cos they deserve it.

so be honest.

if you want it

and feel that your blog is somewhat sunshiney

and inspirational

take it..it's free to the first ten who want it!

a few things i love...

warm sunshine

georgeous flowers

gentle rain

smiles

dogs

my family & friends

God

very frothy cappuccinos

banana bread

kind strangers

i mean it ..be bold and take it...you deserve it!

take your own destiny into your hands this friday...

and have a fabulous weekend too.

naturally Carol xox

ps...you know..in life there is no room for false modesty...when something is offered, and many things are offered freely in this life..don't stand back..but grab them with both hands and make them your own..just don't forget to pass the blessings on..because it is true..freely you receive so freely give!

Almost Orla...

2011-07-28T15:24:00.001+10:00

hi there!

it always amazes me that

you can go for days and months

with very little change in your life

then...

one day

and there it is

a significant day of change.

today is a significant day in this household.

sharrie got a visa so she can work and get medical attention in australia.

i contacted my first born's in laws to be..and arranged a date to meet them with mr w.

and there are a couple of less significant events

just making themselves known today

and yet have to work themselves out.

change upon change

life works it's changes in and around us.

it has been time for a little bit of creativity as well..

two cushions.

i have nicknamed these

as my 'almost orla's'

'cos this fabric is a variation on

orla kiely's signature leafy vine type design.

this is the back of the 45cm cushion..

{the larger cushion}

and

this is the back of the smaller cushion

{40 cm or 16"}

i got an award too, today...

i'll tell you about it tomorrow and

pass it on.

i'm joining up with some creative friends

at 'our creative spaces'...

on this conspicuous thursday!

naturally Carol xox

p.s..these two are in my 'madeit' shop too!

Chatting About Chatz...

2011-07-26T11:28:00.001+10:00

good morning!

the other day...sunday to be precise,

before cadel evans won the tour de france

and mixed up my blogging intentions for yesterday,

i told you i was going to show you more of my pics

i took of chatz cafe.

bright and early on tuesdays

i get along to an early morning prayer meeting

which just sets the day off right.

this is where i was at 9.30 am

this morning

drinking the first coffee of the day

and

enjoying a vanilla slice for brekky..mmm!

table no 24

peacefully and quietly

the day begins...

table 23...

the cafe is open to everybody on weekdays

and on sundays

it's open after each service...

a peaceful place to enjoy a chat & a cuppa!

there are three cafes in town

that i like the best...

chatz has the best views

has the best magazines to browse through

with great cappucinos...

made by marie, michael and kim...

'emelia's' in town

has delicious cappucinos too..organic and fairtrade...

in little coffee cups,

made by giovanni...

and amazing italian hot chocolates

and paninis for lunch...

'gloria jeans'

at the shopping centre

has cappucinos with extra froth...

made by andy...

and thick slices of warm banana bread that are divine.

do you have a favourite cafe or three

in your neck of the woods?

mmm...now which one shall i go to tomorrow?

...i'm just supporting my local businesses you know..hehe!

tuesdays..any days..a good day for a visit to your favourite cafe...

naturally Carol xox

Sunshiney Yellow Happiness All The Way!

2011-07-25T12:41:00.000+10:00

good afternoon..

i just had to pop this one in the post...

yay!

cadel evans

won

the 'tour de france'

2011

a winning smile...

thumbs up for the winning ride...

all that sunshiney yellow happiness

for the winner!

congratulations cadel!

thanks to cate @ 'keep cate busy' for

her inspiring use of the term 'sunshiney yellow'

on her blogpost yesterday...

i really do think that happiness

is always

'sunshiney yellow'!

wishing you all a 'sunshiney yellow' day of happiness today!

naturally Carol xox