Fabulous!

Hello hello hello….. yes I am still alive and I am slowly coming up for air. Crazy busy last couple of months. I will share with you over the next few weeks some of the highlights and a few other things I have been slowly saving for you over those months.

But for now….. something fabulous. Poppytalk calls it ‘What happen’s when you give kids thousands of stickers. Take it as a pre-Christmas warning….. or Encouragement …. if you like.

Beginning with an all white room …..

…. in the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane …….

Yayoi Kusama…..

….. gave children stickers ……

…… and over two weeks……

….collaborated with the artist …….

….. by placing stickers anywhere they wanted.

Two weeks later…..

…..The Obliteration Room ….. was complete. 

Hat-tip  Poppytalk,  stuart addelsee, sccart, and heybubbles and colossal).  Via The New Domestic. …. so apologies if you have seen it before. 

I think it appeals to me because it’s how the last half of the year has felt like, but makes it look so much more joyful than it was some days.

Though out it all Tim was fabulous and the kids were great. I am hoping and praying that in the next month leading up to Christmas I can embrace the joy in the chaos….. and get to take the opportunity to serve them, and others, like they have been serving me. 

 

Book Club: This Charming Man by Marian Keys.

Image from Book Depository.

This Charming Man by Marian Keyes.

Written like the adventures of an Irish lass, this romping tale has many surprising twists and turns.

Some of the content left me shaking my head….other aspects were so well written I could see myself and others in the fleshed out characters.

An entertaining read. 

Next book…. A visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.

Image from The Book Depository.

 

Easter Sunday.

You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

Psalm 86:5

Idea of the Day: Printable Paper Planes.

Printable Paper Planes by Canon's Creative Park.

Another great download.

Idea of the Day: Bake and Eat Cake.

mmmmm cake.....

…use a packet mix. That’s what I will do.

 

A photo a day… Day 1

During the next couple of weeks I will be posting a photo a day.

One photo with no explanation.

You make up what you think it means.

Feel free to leave comments, and I will look at them as I can, but mostly I will be off-line.

I will see you in a couple of weeks.

 

What is this?

 

If you are the first person to guess what I am….

you can have me.

Go!

Edit: Thanks everyone who entered.

It is indeed a bird tote. Well done Therese.

A Susan Blencowe bird Tote no less!

Thank You Susan for generously giving me this bag to give away to harrysdesk readers.

Please check out Susan’s blog here.

 

Advent ideas- Christmas 2010

Image from apartment therapy.

I have decided that our house will be using a version of this advent calendar I showed you last year.

I want to be lollies free this year, because I want them to remember what we did and learned, not what we ate. I will include in the activities some eating…. don’t get me wrong…. I’m not anti eating! I will also use some books we own, some games (already owned and box shaped), DVD’s and note pads and pencils.

Like last year, I will also post our advent activities…. maybe a few days before, so you can follow along if you like. We have decided to start our advent calendar at the beginning of November, this year, and hopefully we will get it finished. Starting earlier will allow us to navigate school events, after school activities that haven’t finished up yet, evening bible teaching times with ‘Joshua Tree’ and other spontaneous festive activities. It can get a little disheartening getting behind. I am hoping a more life-sensitive calendar will work better for us.

If you were  paying close attention to last years advent posts, you will see that the ‘as we go’ comments stop before the calendar does. That’s because last year we didn’t finish our calendar, and as I write this the remains of the calendar still hang on the lounge room door. This happens sometimes in our house. Maybe in yours too!

Isn’t God’s grace a wonderful thing!

There are some activities from last year that really worked well and others which weren’t as good for us, so there will be a bit of repeating, and some new ideas to share for the insides. Last year we read from Luke, and I think we will do that again.

Here are some advent ideas to get you thinking and planning.

Mostly, of course, it is about what is on the inside that matters ….. just like your mother taught you!  Set readings and activities can be found here. If anyone else has good resources for insides, please let me know in the comments. Also, let me know which outsides are you liking?

One hour crafts 'Party Hats'

'Calendar Cones' complete with download from Studio- Carina Gardner.

Image from Llewellyn Lowdown..... but made by me. 'Paper Cup Advent Calendar'

Image from Molly Piper. 'The Advent basket.'

'The Advent Garland' Picture and idea from Julieree. Includes download for the pyramids.

Super Easy 'Advent envelopes' by design sponge. Image sourced from there.

Image from silver lining. 'Take out advent'.

Also from silver lining.

Picture of 'Spool Advent Calendar' by Just something I made. Has downloads at blog.

Image from Martha Stewart. The 'Baby sock Advent Calendar'.

Cheap and easy... could be made the night before.... or for other families as a gift. Image from Wisebread.

Image from womenbiblelife. The 'Sewn Paper Advent Calendar'

Tonight’s craft night cancelled

Cancelled due to sickness! Sorry everyone. Let’s try for next week. Ally <‘v’>

Purple bag…. another Wheaton.

Large upcycled purple, black and navy Wheaton handbag.

Sorry everyone, but I made this one and I had to keep it for myself.

I am in a very purple mood at the moment…. it probably all began with my new purple runners Tim bought me in the UK earlier in the year.

It is my habit to try out all new bag styles I design, before I unleash them on the public, so I will use that as my excuse for nabbing it. It’s purely for testing purposes..lie lie.

If you are as wrapped in the purple idea as I am, I do have some similar purple ties and could build another! Let me know.

I wrote last Monday about the style being my favourite so far, and so far it hasn’t disappointed.

Please have a closer look!

Close Up

Inside. Two zippered pockets, and a large open pocket.

...one side....

...and the other...

The Wheaton..... from behind.