My Place and Yours : Blog HQ

Yes, here is is, another view of my favourite nook in the house. Often my creative corner and also the place where I sit and tap away at the keyboard or scroll through the web drinking up bloggy goodness.

In case you have missed it in some of the other 10,000 posts, here is a slightly more sunny alternate angle of my blog HQ. I like to have my back to the wall (pretty sure that's some deeply ingrained Ninja technique) and I love that I can view various areas of the house whilst at my carefully selected vantage spot.

I can also reach quickly behind me to grab my trusty old copy of Roget's Thesaurus circa 1972, who could have known what a handy little book that would be for blogging and tweeting. 1972 meet 2009, I love it.

For more 'My Place and Yours' fun scadoodle over to Pips and thanks to Ninon for her Theme Queen topic this week.

My Creative Space

Oh dear, it's a rather sad state of affairs at Chez Waffler this week, all the creativity is still in the box. But rest assured that I have many little ideas buzzing around in my head and I intend to get busy, busy, busy over the next week.

I did however find some time over the weekend to finish the last of The Petal series. Bold gouache colours this time. And I have to say, aside from the misgivings about the hair (bane of my existence) I am rather attached to the vibrant colours, as is Petal herself. Guess which version she has chosen for her wall ?

For many, many more creative spaces go on over and visit Kootoyoo, you know you want to.

What I Learnt Today.

You'll have to excuse me if this post makes no sense whatsoever. I awoke with a panic attack at 5.45am this morning after dreaming that the five hour kindergarten excursion we attended today had in fact been changed to a week long camp, and I hadn't packed any clothes for Petal or myself.

Anyway, today was a learning experience for children and adults alike. Here's what I learnt.

• If you haven't taken a group of four year olds for a bush walk in a torrential down pour then you don't know the meaning of fun.


• Don't wear a dress if you want to hold the giant carpet python, unless you plan on providing the other parents which much x-rated hilarity.


• You know that really annoying girl in the class who almost dislocates her shoulder because she is so keen to shoot her hand into the air and answer every single question. That is my daughter.


• Petal wants to be first. Every. Single. Time.


• My new Mary-Jane style runners (sneakers or trainers, if you prefer) were an excellent choice except for when standing atop a bull ants nest.


• I should have taken out an award for having the worst baseball cap hair at the conclusion of the excursion.


• Even healthy home made muffins are considered contraband with kindy teachers, but if you eat them hiding behind your lunch box with your mum, it's okay.

And now for your amusement, here are some kitty cat pictures which represent our appearance before and after our day at the Environmental Education Centre.

Photo from here.


Photo from here.

I hope that you had an educational day today too.

My Place and Yours : Bedside

It's time to play at Pip's place again, with a super theme picked by the adorable Ms Lexi : Bedside. Really, it's all about the AWA clock radio, the B110 model no less. It has an LED display, and a clock and AM/FM radio, isn't technology amazing.

The truth of the matter is that I have grown rather fond of my ugly old clock radio, I just haven't the heart to replace it with some new stylish model, and it's yet to let me down. I may be wrong, but I think this clock radio once sat on my mother's bedside table, I guess that would make it a family heirloom, how lucky are my kids I ask you ?

A gorgeous package from across the sea.

I received a gorgeous little package yesterday. A gift from across the Bass Straight, that counts as a sea right ?

How adorable is this ? And look, the cutest little spotty earrings in the world. I love them to pieces, 'cause they go with my dinky flip hair style, see, I'm wearing them right this minute.

I'm also pondering the meaning of life and smiling at the little blue bird just out of frame. Do you like the soft focus ? Petal is such a masterful photographer, is she not ? (The soft focus may or may not have been intentional).

If you haven't already, pop over and have a look at what Sophie is up to, she's a super sweet, clever gal who makes really lovely stuff. She can't sell you a whimsical expression and soft focus, but you can pick up a pair of these cute as a button earrings or a beautiful brooch, cool hey ?

My Creative Space

This week I needed to get some fresh air and clear my head.

My creative space moved outdoors.

Where I sat and sketched some new ideas.

And lay on a blanket enjoying the morning sun.

And the view of the Botanical Gardens.

And when I came home, I gave Petal a wash of watercolour. I have kept the original black and white but The Coach printed me some copies on watercolour paper to play with, thank-you for the suggestion peeps.

For more creative words and pictures go and visit Kirsty, it's a regular party over at her place. Thanks Kirsty.

Working as an Au Pair, what the brochures won't tell you.

It's story time again at Chez Waffler, does anyone need to quickly nip off to the loo before I begin ?

As I have mentioned previously (in an enthralling and informative blog post where I shared some little snippets about myself) when I was twenty-one I took up a position as an Au Pair in France. Sounds perfect right ? Lattes, croissants, all the dreamy artistic nooks and crannies that gay Paris had to offer......hmmm, yes, well let me share the reality with you folks.

Actually, today, let me focus on the household, in particular on one member of said household, lets call him...oh, I don't know, Le Idjut.

Le Idjut was the head of the household, well he liked to imagine that he was, but really, just between you and me, I think La Grandmere really ruled the roost, followed closely by Mama, so he more or less slotted in about half way up the ladder.

Pretty much every conversation I had with Le Idjut sent a cacophony of alarm bells ringing in my head, for example :

If you have any problems with the children call me, not my wife (DING DING DING DING)

My wife was not so keen on having a twenty-one year old Au Pair (DING DING DING DING)

Can you keep a secret ? The other night I went out for a drink with my friend Le Sleaze and......(DING DING DING DING DING DING)

I think you can get the general gist of it. He was the man who made you feel like you were doing something wrong by merely existing. These were treacherous waters to navigate at the tender age of twenty-one, in a foreign country, an awful long way from home.

Le Idjut was harmless but managed to make your skin crawl and it didn't take me long to realise that the six months I had intended to spend in France were going to be drastically reduced. As a parting gift I would like to share with you my most vivid memory of Le Idjut.

In the lounge was a large open fireplace. A fire was lit. As we sat on the couch opposite the fire, the log pile began to slip and one of the smaller logs neared the edge of the fireplace. Le Idjut leapt like a gazelle over the coffee table, grabbed the log with his bare hands, threw it back in the fireplace, then proceeded to hop around the living room waving his burnt hands in the air. What an idiot, seems he forgot about the tongs and the fact that his hands weren't made of fire retardant material. DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING.

My Place and Yours.

Did you know that Ms Pip has started a new meme ? Oh yes, and I'm partial to a meme or two, so I thought I would join in. This weeks meme theme is 'On the Shelf'. It's a busy shelf to be sure, a shelf where I'm certain shenanigans take place in the early hours when all the 'big folk' are fast asleep. I like a colourful shelf but when it comes to dusting...this shelf may or may not get over-looked more often then not.

Can you spot the Peg People ? I thought they might enjoy hanging out with Gwen and Pikachu for a spell.

My Creative Space

I hope Kirsty won't mind, but I've taken some liberties with my creative space this week.

Rather then presenting my space (really, the creative nook can only look interesting from so many angles) I thought I'd share the progress of a very special project I am currently working on.

A certain, rather observant, four year old came to me the other week and queried why I was doing so many lovely pictures, none of which were ending up on her wall (all together now.....awwww). Naturally, I promptly promised her a picture.

The thing about four year olds is that a promise generally implies immediate action..hmm....the other thing about four year olds is that they can be very, very persistent. So here is where I'm at, from a pencil sketch to ink. This is my Petal. To be honest I am rather in love with this picture and a little nervous about adding colour, I just don't want to ruin her. So wish me luck and don't forget to catch up with all the other wonderful creativity over at Kootoyoo.

Eye Spy...My Favourite Corner of the House.

Yes, it would appear that I'm still a touch behind the eight ball this week. Slowly but surely I shall be getting back into the regular groove.

It's time to play Eye Spy with Cindy again and I don't think it will come as any great surprise to discover that my favourite corner is my creative nook at the end of the dining table.

It's a nice space, I can look ahead at the tops of the eucalyptus trees outside the kitchen window. To the left are the glass doors which open on to the side balcony (the spot where I happily sip on a glass of wine whilst manning the barbecue on balmy summer evenings). And to the right is the living room so I can keep an eye on the young folk or just gaze out the floor to ceiling windows at all the lovely trees.

Truth be told, I like all the corners in our house. It's a bright, airy home and I think it has a lovely warm vibe. This is one Waffler who is very content in her nest.

I'm sorry, but you'll just have to indulge me.

Look, I know it's not cool to brag. And it's probably not cool to run around the kitchen banging a couple of pots together, with my jumper pulled over my head, shouting "WOO HOO". But right now I am deliriously happy. Today is a day that will be proudly marked off in the Waffler diary, because today I sold my first ever piece of art work.

Now I couldn't help but have a little brag on Twitter because, well darn it, I'm excited, and when I'm excited I turn into a twelve year old who has a secret she simply must share with the world or else risk an embolism of some kind. All the lovelies on Twitter were quick to pat me on the back and make me feel all warm and fuzzy (you are all the best, you know that don't you ?) and so now, with permission from the buyer *giggle giggle* (twelve, I know). Here is 'The World According to Little Ricky', an A4 ink original by...urm...me....yay.

Well dang, that rain dance really did work.

So it's all grey skies and bursting black rain clouds at Casa del Waffler today, and we couldn't be happier. Water in the tank (yes kids, we might just squeeze in a couple more showers) and large delicious water droplets thirstily devoured by the parched garden. Phew, after a week of guests, the rain has arrived at exactly the right time. Thank-you weather faeries, we shall sing your praise around the dinner table this evening...or maybe not...but thanks either way.

There's nothing like a rainy day to inspire an afternoon of creative activity. Sketches to finish, sketches to start, a paper bag full of wooden Dolly Pegs who are no doubt clamouring for wee faces and a totes fab fashion ensemble.

Decisions, decisions. I hope you are having yourself a relaxing and inspiring Sunday. Kick back, grab yourself a cuppa and enjoy the rain strumming on the tin roof (or at least use your imagination if the raindrops elude you).

At 9.30 last night I decided another Dolly Peg was in order. A Dolly Peg Dude this time. What possesses a person of reasonable mental state to pull out the teeniest, tiniest paintbrush in the world and start painting late in the evening ? Another of lifes great mysteries I suppose.

My Creative Space

Hello, hello, I'm back again, and sneaking onto My Creative Space a day late. But better late then never, as they say. Of course there hasn't been much creativity taking place at Casa Del Waffler over the last week, entertaining visitors is a full time occupation in itself. But I did manage to squeeze in painting a few little Dolly Pegs yesterday afternoon.

I've never painted Dolly Pegs before but thought it might be cute to attempt some 1920's inspired gals. Today I picked up a super, super fine paintbrush to attempt some better detailing on the faces (because quite clearly I am a sucker for punishment) and I also grabbed some gloss varnish, as red haired Dolly left some rather unfortunate black marks all over brown haired Dolly's lovely white dress. Clearly some Dollys just don't know how to play nice.

Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to catching up on all the other lovely blogs over the next few days, I've felt a little lost without them.

Thanks to Kirsty for hosting this wonderful meme week in, week out. I do so look forward to perusing through the latest wonderful collection of creative goodness.

A temporary break in transmission.

Hot on the heels of the kiddies return to school I have visitors arriving from interstate. Not the most perfect of timing but ce la vie. So I just thought I'd pop a little note on to say that the next week could be rather uneventful in my little blog space. I know you will all forgive me right ?

Anyhow, I'm just keeping it short and sweet as their arrival is imminent and I need to adjust my composure....spent the day running around scrubbing and dusting like a headless chicken with OCD ? Oh no, not I, my house is always this sparkly and neat and I have spent the day playing creative and educational games with the wee ones. Ha ha.

So if I don't get a chance the swing by over the next seven days, I hope you all have a wonderful week and I'll look forward to catching up with you all again real soon.