Autumn

I've been reluctant to admit that summer's gone, but it has to be faced.

As if by some secret agreement, camellias have suddenly bloomed all over Sydney. They are so clever - we are distracted by their beauty don't notice that it is getting colder.  But indeed it is.

This time last year Tony was recovering from a staph infection courtesy of his triple bypass, so the Royal Easter Show was the last thing on our minds.  Thankfully this year we were there bright and early.  Our first port of call was the baking section where Tony cast his expert eye over the cakes. Oh, how we love to pick them to pieces or stand in awe of the better examples.

On 25 April we mark the centenary of the Gallipoli landings and the district produce exhibits reflected the spirit of those first Anzacs.

The dog pavilion catered for every canine personality and mood.  We had the pampered pooch ...

the get-me-outa-here pooch ...

the aren't I adorable pooch ...

 and, of course, the embarrassing pooch.

It was time to grab some lunch and head to the wood chopping pavilion. I often wonder how many toes they have left.

Who could resist Sideshow Alley?  We could, but it was on the way to the showbag pavilion, so it couldn't be avoided.  We bought some bags for the Queensland grandchildren, a licorice bag for me and some sort of chocolate bag for Mr Triple Bypass.  A thoroughly enjoyable day.

This Easter we invited the family and our closest friends to have lunch with us.  It was our first Easter in our new home and it thankfully proved that it is possible to feed twelve people in a modest sized apartment.  The two lounges were moved from the living room to the covered balcony and the outdoor setting moved indoors.  It seats ten and with a card table added to one end, all twelve were seated comfortably, despite the random mix of chairs and a couple of stools for the children.

Our five year-old grandson declared that this was his FAVOURITE cake ever.  Oh dear ... I hope I haven't led him astray.

The last rush of bunnies were mailed out in time for Easter and my sewing machine is taking a well-earned rest for a week or so.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter - I know we did.

New beginnings

It's Autumn here in Sydney ... apparently.  Someone forgot to tell the Nasty Weather Pixie because we are blessed with the most glorious days.  Beach weather.  In another hemisphere Spring has sprung and before long our beautiful weather will leave us to start on its trek north.

Images: Boutique Baby Photography

 And of course that means that Easter is on the horizon.  

Dress available here or here

At Chez Fudge we have our own new beginnings, with Tony slowly but surely making progress from the disastrous first couple months of the year.  He will start on rehab (cardiac, not the more interesting drugs or alcohol) in about a week.

With life more or less back or normal, the much neglected sewing machine has had a bit of a workout in preparation for Easter party clothing and decorations.

Baby's Party Dress available here or here

This fabric combination had been sitting patiently in my stash waiting for the right design.  I knew immediately that I had found the answer when Tie Dye Diva released a new pattern for babies 0-3 months to 18-24 months.  It was exactly what I had been looking for.  I usually work with my own designs, but since I was invited to test one of Tie Dye Diva's patterns late last year, I have fallen in love with them.

At this time of the year I sell my bunny garlands which are not only suitable for Easter, but also for children's bedrooms, baby shower gifts, birthday parties, etc.

I was contacted this week and asked if I could make one in more pastel shades for the customer's little girl's bunny party.

Sometimes we need simple suggestions to set us on a different course, and I am so glad that this lovely buyer made her request, as I am really happy with the result.  It will be on its way to Florida in the morning and I really hope the little girl loves it.  I have added it to my Madeit shop here and will have it available in my Etsy shop in a day or so.

Bunnies on Vespas available here or here

What could be better for Easter than bunnies on Vespas?  With balloons.  

Available here or here

To celebrate Tony's homecoming, we were taken out for brunch this morning and our granddaughter was wearing this swing top which I made for her a short while back.  It's another Tie Dye Diva pattern and she loves wearing it - so cool and comfortable.

So it's happy times ahead ... new season, new beginnings.

Change in the air

We have been blessed with glorious days over the past couple of weeks, but this morning I can feel early autumn settling in my bones.  It's also been one of the busiest couple of weeks, with orders being sent off to all corners of the world, including Italy and Brazil.

Available here and here

While it's becoming cooler here in Australia, the northern hemisphere is awakening to a new spring and children grow, meaning they need new summer wardrobes.  Thank goodness.

kees & me photography can be found here 

In the last couple of days I've received several orders, probably with the realisation that not only is there a change in seasons, but Easter is nearly upon us, which means special occasion dressing.

And Easter Bunny garlands.

Available here

I love the quiet of the early morning and that's the time I spend browsing the internet.  I came across this impossibly cute little critter on Etsy and it was love at first sight.  Its creator is a 23 year-old fibre artist from Chile.  How she accomplished such an adorable little face from so few features is beyond me.  

Little Traveler Mouse made me feel so happy and I hope he has the same effect on you.

Somewhere in the world it's nearly Spring

In three days it will be Autumn.  No, that can't be right.  It's warm and now that the nasty storm cycle has departed (said with fingers firmly crossed), we can sit back and enjoy an Indian Summer.

It's been a particularly busy month, with orders coming in from as far away as Italy.  

My latest dress is swanning around Los Angeles.

I'm excited that this dress will be taking part in a promotion in March.  I'll be able to elaborate on that in a few days.  It will also be up in my Etsy and MadeIt shops in the next day or so, in time for Easter.

That handbag is to die for.

Love these out takes.

I have watched this remarkable little girl grow from an adorable toddler to the beautiful princess she is today.

Having a talented mother to capture the images helps enormously.  Sara of Boutique Baby Photography is now so successful that she has become a fully fledged commercial photographer, specializing in newborns and children.  As you can see, she is very good at what she does and I wish her every success.

Autumn may be here in a couple of days, but it's good to know that somewhere in the world it will be Spring.

As I was going to St Ives

What a difference a day makes.  Sunday in Sydney was one of those typical crisp Autumn days with not a cloud in the sky.  We could not have asked for a more perfect day to experience the St Ives Festival on the Green.

We were greeted by a pair of rather large grasshoppers, which looked as though they had stepped out of War of the Worlds.

The little kiddies ran for their lives.

But this gentleman was frozen to the spot.  Or maybe he was contemplating an early lunch.

The Dutch pancakes made a delicious snack while watching the outdoor circus.

The high wire clown was a hit with the children.

But their favourite act was the trapeze princess.

However, some of her hair-raising antics ...

... caused a little anxiety with the junior member of the family.

After lunch we settled in to watch the A Cappella choir Senisuara

Our daughter is part of this newly formed choir under the guidance of the young and talented Anna Humberstone who was featured in the highly acclaimed documentary Mrs Carey's Concert.

Ah, sitting in the sun on a mild mid-autumn day  What a perfect ending to a happy family outing.