Building Bedrock in the creekbed!

While camping in the Owen Springs Reserve near Alice Springs, we built Bedrock..you know,
The Flinstones!!

Here is the Flinstones House by Lucas

The Rubbles House by Mollie

Who remembers Mr Slate?, Fred boss..his house! by Dave

Camping at Owen Springs was definately a highlight of our trip. It was green, by a small creek and there was NO ONE else around. We had to do a little 4WD to get into the gorge, it was perfect :D

Back from Alice Springs!

We got back late last night from our weeks camping holiday in Alice Springs. 

I will pop a few photos in here now and come back when life is a little less crazy and tell you all about it!!

Walking around Uluru

Trying to find water in the red sand :)

Many beautiful picnic stops for breaky!!

Lots and lots of bush walking

And beautiful gorges

What a fun holiday!!

Simple (ish) skirt

This skirt has been 6 months in the making...
It is made of white homespun which I tied and dyed a very wishy washing blue, purple, green colour. I didn't like the result so I retied it and it sat in the bottom of the washing basket for a couple of months.
On Monday, I pulled it out, mixed up some dark blue and over dyed it. It was ok, but a bit flat soooo (yes I did) I scrunch it up, wrapped some elastic bands round it and through it in some bleach.

The photo doesn't pick the colour variations up so well but I am finally happy with the results and now I have a new skirt!!

And I thought an embrodiery would jazz it up a little 

Pattern : A-line skirt from Sassy Skirts by Cindy Taylor Oates

Embroidery: from Embrodiery Library

I tell ya, I am itching to dye another skirt..I wonder what the results will be 

Some cuties for the market

I just found this post in my drafts folder of the blog..I better do a little editing and post....

I sold these three dollies at the market last month. They are such little cuties, I thought I would share some photos...

First up is a boy dolly, dressed in a campan knit t shirt and shorts

A two little girls dressed and ready for play!

And here they are all in their pyjamas, ready for bed.

All babies need a cute nappy!

I have made another two of these (just because I love them so) I will add photos soon!!

Girls dollmaking!

Something us girls love doing together!!

And we are getting quite good at it :D

Hand dyeing cotton for Mum!

From white cotton 8ply yarn to a rainbow!!

I am sure Mum will knit something beautiful with it :)

I think Mollie and I need some now..maybe for more dishcloths :)

Hanging Angel

I have had this angel in my head for a couple months now. I wasn't quite sure how the construction was going to go but Monday, I jumped in and had a go....

She turned out alright didn't she :D

She is made using tricot, wool fleece, wool yarn and her dress is made from cotton with wool felt wings. 

She is about 30cm high.

Her wings.

She has been claimed by Mollie and is waiting for Dave to put something in the roof so we can hang her over Mollies bed. 

(He and Lucas have been struck down with the dreaded flu!)
I have plans to make more for Spiral Garden next month 

An Extension, to be built by Dave

Ok, we are seriously running out of room. With Daves model train set, my sewing/craft and the kids love of lego and creating 'stuff', we have realised it is time for a room extension.
This is the carport off the back of the house...soon to be a very large hobby room/ guest room/ room to sit in to relax around the pool. The pool is off to the right in the photo, you can just see the black fence.
Dave has decided to built it himself..with maybe a blockie to come in to do the walls. It will be a big project but one Dave will do very well!
Step one: CLEAN OUT THE CARPORT!!! :D

Marinated Fetta

Recipe here 

The cute little on in the middle with the red lid is for the kids..minus the red chillis!!

Planning a little bit of artwork

I used to love painting, particulary on canvas but over the last couple years, more practical crafts became my focus..till last week when we visited the wetlands.
We saw an information sign all about tropical butterflys and I had an idea!!

See this blank wall in our second bathroom...

See these two blank canvases....

And these two insects!
the Ulysses Butterfly

photo source

And the Cairns Birdwing Butterfly

photo source

They are going to be featuring in my two canvas paintings.

I have a couple projects to finish and then I will start on these..very exciting!!

Photos when I have finished, of course :D

Cattana Wetlands

Cattana Wetlands

Another lovely day out with Grandad yesterday!

Lots of bird watching happening here- Ducks, Egrets, Jabirus to be seen through binoculars and from bird hides. 

Sweet fingerbuns

Delicious!

Recipe from here..

Big Day out!

With Grandad.
We caught the Kuranda Scenic Railway up, up

up, up 

up, up the mountain to Kuranda and then 

down, 

down, down

on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway!

We have been locals of Cairns for nearly 8 years and have never been on the train..oops!

Between the trips we had a lovely lunch in Kuranda at the local pub.

It was a lovely (and a little bit scary for Mollie, she is holding on tight in the photo above!) day out :)