clump of wild dog teeth

We've entered what they call "storm season" here. It's stunning, sunny, bird chirpy weather all morning, which then turns to a rumbling, grumbling, smashing storm for an hour or two in the afternoon, before returning to lovely again. It's rather dramatic.

This afternoon it got dark quickly, way too early. We were due to go to hospital for Mr You's physio appointment (as part of his arm healing). We were heading out. Literally. I was backing the car out of the garage... Mr You was locking the front door one moment, and then running towards the back of the reversing car the next, arms a' waving.
"Go back, Go back, it's starting to hail" he called out with more arm wavy gestures.

And boy! He wasn't wrong!

We got ourselves back under the veranda just as these suckers started pelting down.



So they're pretty sizable, but not too giant, and at least they're roundish. But check out this fierce beast!



It's fricken spiky! Like a clump of wild dog teeth... only, you know, made of ice, and sent from hell. Gnarly hey?

Lucky we like to push the clock, if we'd have been 30 seconds more punctual we would have been driving down the highway, unable to turn around, when these feral clumps came catapulting down. Nasty.

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Now, on a more calming note... the Spring Brooch Giveaway is drawing to an end. You've got about 22 more hours to get your entries in before the draw. Good luck!

shop local-ish

I'm a bit lost for words today, so instead of rabbiting on, I'm going to send you to nice places.

When I was desperately looking for friends online last week lots of you put your hand up, and that did warm the cockles, let me tell you. And if I had a tardis, I'd be SO there... and there, and there too! But there were a couple of offers from people a little closer by, who I may actually run into one day using more traditional means of transport. (Did I say "run into... with transport" ??!! That doesn't sound like the best way to make new friends... what I mean is "visit with" of course).


The first is Emerald Arts.

Actually she's not so close by, but anywhere within 5 hours is fine by me :)

In her Etsy store she sells all sorts of unique and interesting life forms, both pre-made, and in kit form that you can make yourself. They are character filled and look like Good Fun!



The next is about 3 hours away in the other direction, it's Mellimoomoo.

Her Etsy shop is filled with things that make me giggle with happy childhood nostalgia. It's reuse and recycling done at it's most whimsical.

Lovely stuff with vintage charm.



And finally, I'd like you to meet my newest candidate for possible friendship: ChunkyChooky.

This sweet gal contacted me last week after stumbling upon my blog, and realizing we live less than an hour apart. She is relatively new to Etsy, but that by no means reflects on her produce. Adorable softy monsters, and the most lovely fishermans pants for kiddies is what will delight you when you visit. Go see!


Okay, so the call out for friends may actually work! Huh! Who knew?
Has anyone ever met up with fellow bloggers? What's it like? Were you a bit scared?
(...I think I might be...)

favourite films

This is: a list of my favourite films.



I have a terrible memory for films I've seen. But these ones have stuck...
Best film this year: Persepolis
Fave film as a child: Mannequin
Fave film as a teenager: The Fisher King
Other Faves: The Life Aquatic, Amelie, Lost in Translation, When Night Is Falling.

Thanks to Hokey for this week's great topic.

barry comes to stay

One of the giveaways I won (that I mentioned during the week) arrived yesterday, from Jenny at Daisy Chain. I won Barry. He's so beautifully made, and has such expression on his face. He came with some great bonus luggage, including fabrics, a really cute keyring, vintage buttons, and a paper crane :)

Anyway, I'm now handing the microphone over to Barry as he's been keen to "phone home".

Thanks Jenny, he's wonderful! :)
_ _ _


Dear Mum,

I had a pretty comfy journey here, and it went faster than I thought, and I slept most the way. I was really anxious about leaving home and coming to live with flossy-p and Mr You, but they seem to really like me and are taking good care of me. Even though you put extra confident on my insides when you made me, I only needed it in the first few moments. After that I had heaps of fun. I've sent you a few pictures of my first day here...









I had so much fun, and my favourite part was watching the whales splash and play. I think I'm really going to like it here. Flossy said you can come visit whenever you want!!! And she even told me they have good friends that live not far from you in Blackwood, and they visit them every other year. So next time they go I can come too and visit you!

Give everyone a big hug for me,
Baz .xx.

strings

My Illustration Friday attempt for "strings".

Woah, first Illustration Friday I've done in about 6 months. Only just getting it done in time mind you. That's one of the benefits of a time zone difference, it buys you and extra day :)

kanga conga

Just as I was starting to umm and ahh about what to post today, Nomes has saved the day by coming up with a topic. So here's "something that I look at everyday that makes me smile".

Firstly it's the kangaroos that hang about on the grassy patch over the other side of our back fence. I love seeing them there, especially this time of year when it's usually a little nuclear family, complete with joey! Most days they just lie around, munch on the grass, and scratch.

One day a few months back I was in the kitchen, looked up through the window and saw a whole bunch (anyone know the collective noun for kangaroo's?) of young males. At first they were play-boxing, and chasing each other around, then I looked up again a few moments later and they were in a conga line! Weirdest thing I've seen in ages. It definitely made me smile.

Of course the other thing that makes me smile everyday is this little bunch'o'fluff.

She's taken to wedging herself into this little box, you can't see very well in this shot, but looking from front on she looks like a muffin or hearty loaf of bread in a loaf tin; packed tightly in the bottom and all spilling out over the top.

I keep meaning to paint that little box to look like a car. hehehehe... Just the thought of that makes me giggle.

Pimp my ride!

Thanks Nomes, I needed a good smile today.

felt when it blooms

I'm on a roll! We had a huge storm here yesterday, loads of heavy heavy rain, and while the rest of the garden has been a bit flattened, the felt flowers bloomed!

Pansy, Blue and Yellow flower brooches now for sale in my Etsy store.