Saturday, 15 September 2012

Dropping in on the neighbours

Spring fairs are popping up all over the district and our neighbourhood came alive today when the high school next door held its Spring Garden Party. Everyone was invited and going by the crowds in attendance, everyone accepted.


The clouds that threatened to ruin the day quickly departed and we were rewarded with beautiful weather.  Sadly, I was on my own (apart from the couple of hundred thousand I battled my way through), as Mr Fudge is recovering from surgery (including plastic) which was necessary to remove a nasty skin cancer from his nose.  Thankfully all went well and, apart from the thick bandaging on his nose, he is quickly bouncing back to his old self.  It's the eternal curse of Celtic genes in a country known for its blazing sun.


Who can resist Fair rides?  Not too many, apparently. 




I preferred quieter activities, such as admiring the gardens, the plant stall, and buying some homemade marmalade and chili relish.


These three adorable little poppets wandered by, so beautifully dressed.  






The market stalls were spread out under the shade of the trees.  They were fortunate to have such beautiful weather - imagine how depressing it would have been to have rain dripping down through the leaves ...




The school jazz band, complete with singer, performed so well.  In fact, I can still hear them in the distance as I am typing this post.


It was lunchtime as I was leaving and there were many food stalls stocked up to feed the hungry crowds.

I will be participating in a school fair next month and I am keeping my fingers crossed that this brilliant weather will continue until then - and beyond!

Thursday, 13 September 2012

First sighting

It's Spring and I am so excited.  I've just sighted my first Christmas Pudding of the season.


It happened last Saturday while we were in the city to view the David Jones Annual Flower Show.  We had wandered over to the David Jones Men's Store which houses the Foodhall and there they were, newly hatched and ready to fly.  Isn't it always the way? As soon as you spot one, they multiply before your eyes.


And what's a pudding without lashings of Christmas chocolates and biscuits?


We dragged ourselves away from temptation, past the specialist butcher, fish monger, salad bar, oyster bar and several coffee shop nooks, and into the biscuit section, which took the Spouse's attention.


But once we reached the mustard aisle, we knew true bliss.



His and Hers mustards - our day was complete.

Saturday, 8 September 2012

Spring fever


We really knew that Spring had arrived in Sydney when we visited our favourite department store this morning, David Jones.


This year it's their 27th Annual Flower Show and we customers reaped the rewards.


The moment we walked through the doors we were mesmerised.


The floral arrangements managed to outshine the handsome model (mmm ... maybe not).


Even the lift doors entered the spirit of Spring.


The iconic David Jones Piano Man added another dimension with some romantic music.



And the fish took on a soft Spring colour.


Sit back and enjoy the view.









Sadly, it all ends tomorrow, but there's always next year!

Thursday, 6 September 2012

Preview

This ...
goes with this ...


and together they make this ...


It's turning out to be a very nautical season at Hot Fudge.  This is the first Mix 'n Match outfit which will be in my Etsy and MadeIt shops over the next few days.  I am working on some more co-ordinating tops, so stay tuned.

Tuesday, 4 September 2012

Tuesdays

What a time to be in Sydney.  I know it won't last, but it's a stunningly beautiful day today, clear blue skies, warm temperatures (mmm ... warm ...) and blossoms everywhere.  It's also my quilting day with St Ives Quilters which is always fun.

Today had an extra bonus - three parcels were waiting for me at the Post Office.  I can't show them all, because two of them were early Christmas gifts (I know - I can't believe that we are starting so early this year.  No doubt it will all end in tears and panic on Christmas Eve, but our intentions are good). 


 However, I can show you the third parcel.  I did the traditional Fabric Dance of Joy when I opened it, as it had one fabric re-order I had been waiting on and several new ones which I will use as samples for my new summer/Christmas range.  And there's another fabric bundle somewhere out in Australia Post Limbo waiting to land in my Post Box - hopefully tomorrow.

It's been a good week all round, starting off with Fathers' Day on Sunday when we joined our daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren for lunch at a delightful restaurant.


I think the children would have taken the cow home if there had been room in the car.


Most importantly, today is our granddaughter's sixth birthday, but as she is far away in Queensland, we will save up our hugs for our next visit.

Good things happen on Tuesdays.

Saturday, 1 September 2012

The Darling Buds of September

It's coming, you can feel it in the air.  Spring arrived today fresh and clear, but the one element missing was warmth.  And I love warmth.


We had some good friends over for lunch on Thursday and one couple brought these delightful cornflowers, which with their stunning blue have to be my favourite Spring flowers.

  
With the promise of a new season waiting in the wings, August was a very busy month for me, with sales on both my Etsy and MadeIt stores.  Among the orders I had to make up were these heart garlands.  Spring weddings are obviously on the agenda.


I completed an order this morning and we headed to the Post Office to get it on its way.  What a delightful surprise to discover that these trees, which were bare a week ago, are now blossoming.


With a sky like this, it's hard not to smile.


The flower vendor in the mall had a glorious array of brilliant colour to tempt the passer-by.


But now it's back to the machine to make one of these ...


one of these ...

 and one of these.

Then I can start on my new season's range in time for the Christmas rush.  Did I say Christmas???