fede toys now at Ethels

I am happy to announce that fede toys are now available to buy locally at E for Ethels - a groovy little coffee shop / handmade gift store tucked in at 116 Melbourne St, North Adelaide.

If you're local, or ever planning a visit to Adelaide, pop in and see Amanda for a lovely cuppa, friendly chat and gander at the mini gallery of Australian made goodies she has so lovingly created.

Isn't that wallpaper just fabulous!

sunday | cricket + fairies

Yesterday afternoon we packed our bags and jumped on the train to the city (Adelaide, South Australia) where we parted ways - his and hers.

The boys turned left up King William Street and joined the swarming green and gold crowd heading to the cricket - a one day match between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval. I felt excited for Sachin as it was his first time to such a big event. In typical Sachin style he took it all in his stride and gave me the "what's the big deal Mum?" look. We have been talking about his namesake, Sachin Tendulkar batting for India, but unfortunately he didn't play. Now I wasn't there, but rumour has it that there was not much cricket watched but plenty of colourful people and atmosphere to soak up. The photos seem to support that story.

We ladies continued along North Terrace and took a left turn into the South Australian Museum, where we spent the next hour on a guided tour with Miss Ruby. She seems to have a strange fascination with an archaeology exhibit displaying the many layers of the earth's floor, in particular, the layer of rubbish that has been left behind over the last 10,000 years. Along the way we "didn't" look at the giant squid 7 times because it is very scary, but seemed to keep passing it. Ruby conjured up enough braveness to check out the Egyptian room for the first time but kind of freaked out over the mummies. Can't blame her, they are quite spooky, especially when you are a big Scooby Doo fan with a vivid imagination! In need of food, we hit the lawn out front of the Museum for snacks and let little Quinn out of her stroller to stretch her legs.

Fuelled and ready to go again, the next stop was the Botanical Gardens. We were on a mission to find the Rainbow Fairies. Apparently, our friend Lexie has seen them there. We inspected many flowers, looked under rocks, in holes, under leaves and in the trees. We even checked out the giant water lillies but those fairies were not ready to be seen. However as we left the gardens to go home, Ruby whispered to me that she did see one of the fairies. Bet you can't guess which one?!?!?

Yep. It was Ruby the Red Fairy. "For real" !!

big flowery brooch

I do try to make presents when I can. Sometimes it just doesn't happen, but last weekend it did!

This big orange brooch is for my friend Jac who loves orange. I know it's quite big but she has a super fantastic big personality to match. Happy birthday sweetie!

If you are in Adelaide and looking for something to do this weekend, you could see Jac (Jackie Yeo) performing as Janis Joplin at Woodstock Revisited 2011 on Sunday October 30th at Rymill Park. Get out your hippie gear and come along for a boogie!

2010 Christmas Pageant

early morning.
5:45am start.
threatening weather.
first pageant.
excited children.
prepared for rain.
mega crowds.
pancakes for breakfast.
great company (thanks nanny & grandma).
gold position.
smiling faces.
mesmerized faces.
energetic clowns.
delighted children.
jam packed tram.
tired children.
tired mum.
memorable day.
ready for 2011.

frog cakes

Coming home to South Australia has been a rewarding experience for the whole family. For me, I love reminiscing about my childhood and seeing my kids enjoy the things I remember so fondly.


Let me introduce you to our Frog Cake.




It is made by a local bakery, Balfours, and was first created in the 1920s when tearooms were popular. It's made of a sponge cake square coated in jam (the frog's body) topped with cream (the frog's head) and finished with a sticky fondant icing. The original frog cake was green, but is now also available in pink and brown.


It really is an Adelaide icon. Check out the Facebook fan club here, especially the frog wedding cakes!


Yesterday Ruby tackled her first Frog Cake. First of many I suspect.

janet's back

Just got home from an evening out with the olds & my Brother & his wife who are in town visiting for the weekend. After dinner (and with no little ones in tow) I headed into the late night CD shop for a leisurely browse and bought this. I think I must have been daydreaming about my younger days when I'd be out grooving on a Saturday night into the wee hours.....yup.....previous life Fee! Speaking of which, here's a little of that history....don't laugh. The band still gig here in Adelaide however I haven't been a member for 6 years (they just haven't updated the pic).

Anyways, then I came home & quickly jumped online to check my emails & BAM! Bought this. What is going on tonight??? I think I'd better take myself to bed before I hit ebay & then get really carried away!!!!

So on that note, goodnight & sweet dreams.

I'm back....& sewing again

How I've missed you my little blog!!! Sorry for being so absent over the last few weeks.

The move is almost over...just a few more boxes to unpack. This is the current state of my workspace.....aaaahhh! Where are my favourite scissors & my battery charger??????

Good to be home in Adelaide. Even better to feel that we've made the right decision to move. Yay!


The Autumn Harvest Exhibition is just around the corner and I still have much work to do. I have managed to be a little productive while in between houses and took advantage of my Mum's Janome sewing machine. To be honest, I'd be happy with my vintage Bernina 730 any day - she's just a good ole' solid, steady piece of machinery that I have grown to love & cherish.


Thought I'd show you a couple of cushions I've completed for the Autumn collection (yes it's Autumn down on this side of the world). Don't you just love these over sized red buttons? I've been saving them for something special. The button holes challenged me somewhat on Mum's machine - they were bigger than the machine foot so required a little fudging....we got there in the end though.












The next one is not quite finished and I'm hoping you can help me out. I got to this stage in the early hours of the morning & while suffering brain drain couldn't make a decision. The centre of the stitched circle needs a little embellishment (in my opinion anyway - you may disagree). I'm swaying between one big bird in the middle (in the charcoal wool fabric shown on the reverse), or a series of 4 little birds sitting on a line just below the middle. What do you think???? I'd love your comments - any alternative ideas are also most welcome :)