Top Ten Projects of 2009

In no particular order, here is my list of achievements on the home project front for 2009. I am sure your list is longer, as I seemed to have created and tweaked less than usual:

1. Sophie's room make-over, specifically her built in "windowless window seat:

2. Her ceiling fan make-over (before):

And after:

3. The "Flip House" we renovated and prettied up:

4. The new slipcover my friend made me:

5. My new dress form I finally found after a long search (Thanks Rhenore!):

6. My pool side changing area:

7. My felted doughnuts, which are worth noting due to my aversion to sewing anything!

8. My involvement with the new and upcoming Flea Market Style. Thanks to Matthew Mead and Ki Nassauer for believing in me and my abilities and for bringing me on board as Editor-at-Large (which I had to look up to see what that meant!). An even bigger thrill, was actually meeting Matthew and Jenny when they came to my home and photographed Sophie's playhouse for the magazine! They were as lovely as I imagined them to be, and it was an experience I won't soon forget!

9. The resultant landscaping done in anticipation of that event:

10. The glittered bottles and glittered candle lights I made for the holiday season:

Care to share your project list for 2009? Add your link below!

Happy Christmas...and what have you done?

It has been a good year. Every year, as I take down my tree and pack up my ornaments, I send up a little prayer that I, and everyone I love, will be around for the next one (which, I know, is a slightly morbid thing to do). Still, it can be such a season of sadness for some - with the expectation that it should be wonderful and joy-filled - yet losses continue and disappointments occur no matter what the time of year.

A few years ago, a friend asked me to accompany her to a "Longest Night" service at her church - a service of carol singing and worship to support those who are struggling with loss, sadness, loneliness and depression at Christmas. It was very eye-opening and poignant and shed light on the darker side of what is meant to be the merriest of holidays. Every December, I brace for the revealing of sad and distressing stories on the news, throughout my community and sometimes, family. I do what I can from a sharing perspective with organizations like the Salvation Army and food bank. But still, don't we all have a little guilt for being happy when others are struggling?

So, this year my wish is that we all reach out to someone in need - to those struggling financially, emotionally, from loneliness or loss. It's not (and never) too late. Invite someone who is alone or whose family lives away to dinner, visit elderly relatives or bring them to your home to share in the happy noise of the holiday, or call someone you know who is struggling and let them know you care. As mothers, we give so much of our time during the holidays to planning, shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping and entertaining. But as human beings, we can always give a little more to those in need.

I think that is the best Christmas gift of all...

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas for a Kitten...

Who says the holidays are just for kids?

Another (probably last) trip in the baby kitten sling:

The other day, I found a little note on the counter for him that read:

Dear Ollie,

I hope that this is the best Christmas ever for you.

Love,

Your Mother

    **************(not written by me!!) ****************

Who's your mama?

Which makes this guy your sadistic uncle:

The indignities...!

Better belated than never...

When Sophie asked for a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory party, fear struck my heart after doing a quick online search of similar themed parties and discovering mothers who major in party planning and invest what must be months into planning their children's parties. While I enjoy throwing a fun party for my kids, I am no match for such herculean efforts.

Here is my feeble attempt at creating a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory party for Sophie several weeks ago. I am a bit late in posting about it...

Games: Veruca Salt bubble gum blowing contest:

Candy-themed everything:

Instead of lucky napkin or cup, we hid golden tickets that Sophie created a few minutes before the party began. What can I say? A December birthday competes for my attention and time.

The cake is home-made, actually, and topped with icing flowers left over from the magazine shoot of her playhouse (I carefully froze them for later use):

Notable? No. But relatively fun, and easy!

All for a Dollar...

Remember I said I was going to make this:

(Bethany Lowe Designs)

And I said it would cost me only a dollar?

Well, I didn't lie, so I'm not on the naughty list.

Although, technically, it was Sophie and her friend who made it, so maybe I did tell a little white lie.

Here is the before:

And, after!

Aren't they pretty?

A little spray adhesive, (lots of)glitter and an embellishment I had kicking around, and almost as pretty as the inspiration photo!

Who said gifts have to be expensive?

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Check out more beautiful Bethany Lowe Designs (that really defy humble attempts at copying) here. She's a genius!

A little dab will do you...

Christmas decorating.

I am hearing more and more from people that they are scaling back on their decorating this year, in pursuit of simplicity and/or a dislike of putting everything away after the holidays. I can relate. For some reason this year, I have felt the same tug. Not the simplicity part, but the dread of packing everything back up and restoring order to my basement and garage. For someone who finds clutter stressful, it can be a very "stimulating" time of year!

Still, the tug of nostalgia always rules (that and the desire not to "waste" that which awaits its rescue from boxes) and I always end up going fairly full on with my decorating. I have compromised, though, and have cut back on the number of trees I adorn. So, this year, there is no Rudolph the Movie tree, no miniature sweater tree and a couple of other small trees that have made an appearance in previous years.

I don't know about you, but I have been so disappointed with most of the holiday magazines I have seen this year. I open them with full anticipation, expecting great ideas to jump from the pages, and instead see what I term, "A Minimalist Christmas."

As in, "We wish you a minimalist Christmas" and you just paid $8 to experience it!!

Blecchhh!!!!!!!!

I remember years ago reading the holiday issue of a magazine and the home featured was of a very chic couple (with children) and their tree was a white tree with no decorations, their mantel had a single star-looking decoration (not Christmasy!), a wreath on the door and tea lights displayed on their table to spell NOEL.

That. Was. All.

Cool, ultra modern, clean, uncluttered, monochromatic...all sprung to mind.

But Christmasy? Nope. Didn't get that one.

Now, to each his own, but all I could think was puh-lease!

Be cool and hip the rest of the year and add a Santa somewhere or a treasured holiday drawing to the fridge from your child, sprinkle a bit of glitter, or add some ornaments to that tree...for your child's sake! Christmas is for them, not just you!

So, for those of you not decorating for not-so-noble reasons, the time is now and it will be over before you know it. While the same argument can be given for not decorating, do it for yourself. The glow of a big ol' Christmas tree, the cheer of a dash of red, the smell of pine and cedar, and the sparkle of glitter will make you happier, I promise.

And if you have children, do your best to prevent their sweet little voices having to hum,

"We wish you a minimalist Christmas and a chic, sparse New Year."

(As for me, I think Santa threw up in my house, because there is nothing minimal about it!)

I Wanna Hold Your Hand...

School Christmas concerts.

If it wasn't for my little girl, Sophie, they wouldn't be a part of my holiday social schedule. And trust me, my holiday social schedule is pretty weak, at best. So, as I walked towards the growing line-up of cold people waiting to get inside the school (dumb, DUMB idea...but that's another story) and secure a decent seat, my little one reached for the warmth of my hand, a symbol that she is mine and I am hers and that simple connection will keep us bound. As I warned of puddles that would splatter onto her pristine white tights and coat, she skipped along beside me.

There is nothing better than seeing a child skip, is there?

Unless, of course, that child's small hand is clasped in yours.

Honestly, it is moments like that that make me so happy to be a mum.

And that is why I make no Christmas gift lists for myself.

Healthy, happy kids that I can keep safe, warm and fed.

Who needs more?

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(I can't resist sharing these):

Sweets for the Sweet...

(my humble offering for the cookie exchange)

I think I've told you before that I am not a baker.

While I do bake sometimes, it is only when the fancy strikes or I really have to. This will never be a baking blog, which is quite fine considering I love to write, and scribing recipes into my posts does not satisfy my need to weave sentences and share thoughts.

But I baked this weekend!

Yes, I did!

Nine dozen peppermint pinwheel cookies, yes sir ma'am.

Baked for my friend's cookie party, and I didn't complain or whine for even a minute. I actually enjoyed it!

Especially since I was able to bring home eight dozen different cookies for my family. I think that calls for a dusting of flour on my brow.

Cookie parties...you should make friends with someone who hosts one!

Christmas Table Touches

Recently I was asked to prepare a festive table setting for the Herald Sun 'Home' Christmas Supplement. With much delight I set my favourite oak table for just that. As I wanted to keep that a feature of the setting, I thought it contrasted nicely against the classic palette of white, silver, grey & black. Without the reindeer & festive gift touches, this table can be set for any occasion.Peonies are one of my favourite flowers, so were integral to the overall theme. All my decorative touches are very simple, just handpicked things I love - an ecletic mix of old & new. The white & cream creates a warm aesthetic in natural daylight, but the mood of the tealights & glass bead centrepiece creates a soft & intimate setting once dusk begins to set.Now to prepare the menu!To find the reindeer, silver pears & gift soaps: Rose St Trading Co in Beatty Ave, Armadale, Melbourne. For the black organza candles & divine french candle centrepieces:Peony of Melbourne, Auburn Rd, Hawthorn, Melbourne.

I Spy Silver and Gold...

Behold my new silver/gold Christmas tree. It stands in all its glory in my dining area. I found it at Walmart and just *had* to have it! It is very vintagey and I love how it is the perfect backdrop for my many glittery, vintage-inspired Christmas decorations.

Now for a little game of I spy:

I spy a little house, a mirror, a silvery sleigh, a snow cone, a sleigh, a postcard, a candelabra, the Eiffel Tower, a sock, a fairy, skates and some vintage balls.

Do you?

Oops! And a ticket I forgot to remove!

Better go remove that!!

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This post is linked to some great holiday tour round-ups:

Julia`s Hooked on Houses tour

Rhoda`s holidays house tour

Funky Junk Interiors Christmas Tree tour