what im listen' to

image via Geisha Bar

Well back in the day (BC - before child) I occasionally dj'd out and about.. and loved it! in fact would still be loving it if they could install a play pen behind the decks :) hehe jus' jokes

Anyway I am so out of that scene I have no idea what is good and 'cool' but what I do know is what I like.. :)

So I was extra excited when an old friend of mine sent me a mix he uploaded on the net a few months ago - its awesome and I love listening to it while I write, think or sew :)

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do - Beats & Buds Volume 1 by James A

Candice x

pretty in pink custom romper

Yay!!! finally finished a custom romper :)
It took a bit longer than expected as I have been visiting my grandpa alot recently..

I am happy with the result and made a plain one to put on madeit along with some baby bloomers and a cute owl t-shirt :)

I am about to start on a 'creature' for my sister-in-law to give to a friend of hers.. can't wait! love creating my 'creatures' :)

Isnt it fun being crafty! I love working with my hands... I am thinking of doing a screen printing course soon - really really want to start printing some designs onto fabric/clothing.. I love sewing too but I just have so many design ideas that I want to get onto fabric... I guess I could also put them onto paper and then wouldn't need to do a screen printing course.. but for some reason I just love fabric and want to make pretty things :)

I hope you are all enjoying this thursday... its funny weather here in Perth. Bit humid - which I dont like but at the same time it brings back nice memories of Africa.

ta ta xx

My Gramps

My Gramps... John Hook

I love my Grandpa.
He is one of those men that manners has definitely made.
Even as he is sick and weak he offers his chair to others and inquires after their health
and when asked how he is, he replies 'fit as a fiddle'.
He is skin and bones.. it is so hard to look - he is still there and I know it is him
but how could this happen, how could it happen to such a wonderful man?
Why? Why does he have to go through this?

My Grandpa loved to joke and play around with all his grandkids
he loved us all equally and always made time for us.
My best memories are of when we would go back to Zim on holidays
and stay with Gran and Gramps.
Every morning we would wake up early and jump out of bed
to go and swim and do exercises with Grandpa,
then after a bath and clean clothes
head to the kitchen for fish and egg :)

I wish I could take his pain, I wish he didnt have to go through this.

I hate cancer.

i can across this lovely blog...

image via tweexcore

While reading Pip's almost daily Meet Me at Mike's blog post email I came across this link to Dottie Angel and immediately fell in love with her writing.. wow its just so lovely and inspiring.. it makes you want to dress in your best Sunday afternoon dress, pack a picnic in a vintage suitcase with porcelain cups and a teapot and cheese and cucumber sandwiches.... then on a lovely handmade picnic rug, lie back with your worn copy of sense and sensibility and while away the day reading and picking flowers... sigh... if only...

But it has inspired me to head down to our local 'St Vinnies' to purchase the lovely tea set I saw the other day but was hesitant to buy as it wouldve made the trip home at the bottom of William's pram over bumps and dodging joggers and dogs... hope its still there!

On a sadder note my uncles are starting to arrive from around the world to spend time with my grandpa who is not well and may not be with us for much longer... it is hard. I think I will dedicate a post to my grandpa soon.. he is wonderful and I love him.

Candice x

oh happy day...

William helping me 'unpack' the groceries

Life is so busy and great and wonderful and fun!

I dont know how all the other crafty mums manage to get everything done in a day and you know what... I dont care anymore :) yay! Im happy being me - finally!!! Im happy with the fact that I spend all day with my little boy and then while he is napping I either explore the crafty interent world or nap too (my favourite)..

I love getting out whenever we can - I cant stay in the house all day, no sir eee, thats not for meee! Plus I am starting to discover that my little boy is very 'active' and has to see everything, touch everything, do everything - which some days I must admit, drives me crazy but if I have had a good nights sleep and remember to tell myself that this wont last for long and to enjoy it, I do - I can get in there and run around, roll on the floor, climb on the couch with him :)

Soon I will get back into working hard on making things :) but for now its been lovely having a break and relaxing (for want of a better word) a bit! Now all I need is a little holiday somewhere so William and I can explore another world..

Candice x

loving at the moment...

Well at the moment I am on a hunt for a Duck softie for my little boy - who is obsessed with them!!! I dont know how many times ive glued together a duck decortation from the christmas tree - he has been so good with the tree and doesnt touch anything else except for the duck :) and loves to show whoever comes to visit the 'dut'..

Soooo.. I found one but I am also tempted to make one...
Bought : Organic Cotton Duck (I wanted to get an organic softie as we have just found out that he may have asthma)
Make : Lucy Goosey (i know its a Goose but thats also a Duck isnt it?)

image courtesy of Gaiam

image courtesy of the long thread

So while on my nightly internet surfing ;) (do they still call it that - haha) I came across this post from Mini Stylista and have absolutely fallen in love with the prints from Belle & Boo and sooooo want to have a little girl next... sigh... So anyway looking at the prints reminded me of a purchase I made the other day from Pulp - a set of prints that I cannot wait to frame and put up (once I move my office into the garage)

picture courtesy of Belle & Boo

image courtesy of Lilla Rogers

Well I best get off this box and go see how my husband is coping getting our son to sleep - sigh...

Market Days

Well during the month of November we went to 2 markets and had lots of fun!

So now I have a bit of time I thought id write a little about my experiences :)

Mathildas Markets...

Our first ever markets! Got up super early and drove about half an hour to Belmont to set up.. I was a bit nervous about how I was going to set up and fit everything in but it all worked out really well! Although I forgot to bring a camera so had to take photos on my mobile so they are a bit fuzzy :) The lovely lady in the photo below is my ma ;).. she sat with me all day and helped so much! My dad made the display in the background and also made a rack for the onsies and bags which sat on the left, and helped set up and pack everything up.. i know what a great dad hey!
My hubby wanted to help ;) but someone had to look after William - they did come and visit us though and took us all out for a late lunch afterwards..

Had such a great time talking to everyone and learnt so much!

The next weekend we had ..

Junior Upmarket ...

I also wasnt sure what to expect with these markets as this was to be a new event for the Upmarket crew with a whole new setup and location.. But it worked out really well and had a wonderful little area to set up. Decided not to use a table and instead had a sort of walk in/shop type thing going on :)

I had planned it all the day before and managed to find the shelves on the left from target (they are clothes drying racks) and made some fabric covers for each shelf - then quickly made the bunting behind so dont look too closely at it :) it needs a bit more attention for the next markets.

I took the pictures (with a dodgy camera - really need to remember to bring my camera next time) early on while I was still setting up but you get the idea :)



Totally different feel to Mathildas and was so busy the whole day! absolutely exhausted by the end of it..

Things I learnt from my first lot of markets :

1. Bring a good camera
2. Wear a name badge
3. Have more flyers and business cards
4. Put a sticker or business card in bags
5. Have a better system of recording my stock and keep track of it.
6. Get someone to help and stay for a few hours - it was so tiring trying to do it by myself at Junior Upmarket.
7. Make some time to go around to all the other stalls - I tried to at Mathildas but had absolutely no time at Upmarket.
8. try and promote it a bit more - take flyers to gymbaroo etc.

So overall it was a great experience but like I said it was exhausting and I took a bit of a break from my sewing machine afterwards :)

Candice xxx