Still coming up to speed after two weekends away and three major birthdays 

so I'll share some of the custom order dolls that have gone out recently.

Lots of curly tops in this bunch.

The window of opportunity to get good light for photos is very small these days so the colour may look a little off in some of the pictures.

We had the best time in Melbourne

How much do you love wool ?

I can't imagine a life without wool.

Right now, the only things that keep me truly warm are my woolly cardigan, my woolly slippers and a crackling fire. 

Oh and a hot cuppa every now and then helps too.

Today is Stephen's 50th birthday.

He is enjoying a sleep in  ( he has already had breakfast - pancakes and maple syrup and coffee) which will be followed by  a trip to the op shop ( goodie ) then home for lunch and soccer/football.

He wants to watch the replay of Australia vs Serbia. 

He didn't see it live and is avoiding all media so he doesn't hear the result.

We are having a special tea. 

Louis will be home for three weeks holiday.

Stephen came into my life 28 years ago with
a bicycle,
jazz records,
running shoes,
a saxophone,
and lots of love and laughter.

Happy Birthday Barry 

( known to the rest of the world as Stephen)

Here is some of the music he brought with him...

Cosy

1. stashbusting, 2. crochet ripples, African flower, leaf, 3. woven chair seat ,

4. Rainbow Hat and Scarf (side view), 5. IMG_0798, 6. Girasol Earthy Rainbow Longies, 

7. For Easter, 8. Little fifties-style vest, 9. circus tent curtains

We have just returned from a lovely weekend in Hobart to celebrate Louis' 21st birthday 

Our house is sooooo cold.

The fire of course as been out since Friday night and we are walking around in heavy coats drinking hot chocolate and hoping our beds will be toasty warm.

Etsy Party

picture courtesy of blissinateacup found on etsy.

Tonight at 7pm at the Pilgrim Hall, Paterson Street, Launceston.

Be there or be a dodecahedron ( or some other shape).

and this one is for me...

Deanna Durbin - I Love to Whistle

This is for my dad because Deanna Durbin was one of his favourites when he was a young lad and went to the weekly movies in Richmond during the late 1930s and 1940s.

My small collection of Australian Home Journals.

 Dates range from 1951 to 1963

All of them have the three free patterns promised each month.

The patterns have no markings but there are instructions in the magazines.

These magazines seem to be going for ridiculous prices on Ebay at the moment.

I love looking at the changing shapes of the fashions, fashions aimed at the home dressmaker.

They have knitting patterns too

and recipes and home decorating ideas

plus celebrity gossip and advice columns.

You can read some earlier editions online here

Do you have any special old magazines?

Serious

I am beyond busy getting custom order dolls finished, 

organising an 18th birthday,

a 21st birthday 

and a 50th birthday.

I am trying to keep warm,

fighting the cats to get the sunniest spots

and sticking close to the fire when it's alight.

School goes back tomorrow.

My chief firemaker and my chief tidier will be back to their lessons.

I am making lists, yes, it's that serious.

So today is the day Australians honour the birthday of the Queen.

I think in the UK they have  Trooping  the Colour and no holiday, but here in the Antipodes we like public holidays even if it is wintery and cold.

I think most parts of the Commonwealth have some kind of holiday in honour of the royal birthday and  yes we do realise her birthday is not actually today. 

Apparently this Trooping the Colour business to honour the Monarch's birthday has been going on since the 1700s sometime in June so we are not completely batty.

And whether you agree with having the Queen of England as the Queen of Australia or not, King George VI's family were the first to really allow the public to see their private lives and so there are many books such as this one released for Elizabeth's coronation with wonderful photos of  (? staged) royal family life in the 40s and 50s.

I think Elizabeth was a gorgeous young woman, as was her sister Margaret and I love looking at pictures of them through their childhood, teens and into their early married lives.

All the pictures are from this book published in 1953.