blog land...

Have you ever thought about writing a blog?  I started reading blogs a few years ago and was amazed at how many people were 'out there' sharing their thoughts and ideas.

Over at Kidspot they have revealed the Top 50 Bloggers for 2012.  There's tips from the experts on growing your blog and also how to start your own blog.

                         

Just another good way to spend a winter's day when it's too cold to go outside.

studios...

I'm looking at ways of improving my work area and these are a couple of my favourite studios.

This is Vivian Mansour's  studio: Ish and Chi





This one I love from  Bubby Makes Three



I tend to get quite messy (but in an organised way) when I'm sewing.  My husband thinks my sewing is like a virus as it just spreads everywhere.  Good storage, natural light and a large desk top area is the key and something I'm working on.

Custom order going OS...

A friend asked me to custom make a cushion for her special Mum (Nanny) living in England as it's her birthday soon. The three love hearts represent love from her three grandchildren and on the back of the cushion I embroidered their three names inside a love heart with a red thread.

I took this photo with the afternoon sun shining through the trees outside my window.

bought today...

How adorable are these fabrics?

more cushions...

I'm having fun making big patchwork cushions this week.

This is the latest one made for a boy's birthday party tomorrow. 

It's Mister 8's job to be the fabric colour selector.

I'm loving all these different colours and patterns, but feel some girly colours are due for the next batch of cushions.  Stay tuned..

We need your vote..

You may have read my previous posts about my friend Sarah participating in the Better Homes & Gardens Renovation Challenge.  

Now comes the time for voting and I would love for Sarah and her family to win.

Would really appreciate your vote if you live in Australia.

Please phone 1902 557702 or text "pennydale" to 19777677.

Leave your name & address on text and you could go in the draw to win

$10,000!!

Thankyou thankyou!

The Third Place...

One of my favourite movies is "You've Got Mail" which was written and directed by Nora Ephron.  Watching the movie and listening to the director's commentary Nora demonstrates her love of "the small town" nature of New York City and the importance of third places.
The idea of the third place is that we have our first and second places of home and work, but that cultures thrive best when people have a third place to go and claim.
Nora shared her belief that coffee shops had become important third places for city people.

My favourite third place is my local coffee shop 'Espresso Hit'.  Danny and Chris make the best coffee and the service is always 100 per cent friendly and cheerful. It's a place where I always feel at home.  It's great to catch up with friends there after school drop off or before school pick up.

I found some fabric with a coffee bean print awhile ago and added it to my stash.  And  then I had the great idea to make a fabric word art for my favourite third place!  The boys are going to hang it up in the cafe in a cool spot!