The Janelle Wind Collection

A photo a day - week four...

Here is another little glimpse into our week, through photos taken on my iphone...

Day 22/Jan 22 - Your shoes

Emily gave me these red shoes for Christmas, I love them and wear them all the time.

Day 23/Jan 23 - Something Old

This gorgeous stack of tins is something that I remember very foldly from my childhood. Every time we visited my Nanna's home she had something home made and delicious for us to eat - hidden inside her stack of tins. Hers were green and this stack that I inherited used to belong to my Aunty. She had them in her hope chest and because she never married, everything was like new. I am thrilled to have them in my home and hope to start filling mine with more home made goodness this year too.

Day 24/Jan 24 - Guilty Pleasure

I must admit that I found this one a little difficult to decide what to photograph. You see, I don't drink or smoke, I rarely go out to eat or to the movies, so my only guilty pleasure I could think of was eating chocolate. Then I realised I do have one guilty pleasure - collecting Kenner blythe dolls. These dolls are expensive and I am sure the money could be better spent in other ways, but they really do fill me with so much joy and have brought such beautiful people into our lives too. So my guilty pleasure is collecting Kenner (vintage from 1972) Blythe dolls.

Day 25/Jan 25 - Something I made

It might be surprising to some but I don't have a lot of my stitched quilts and projects etc in our home. Our home is tiny with no storage, so my quilts, bags and projects all live at my teaching studio. There is one quilt however that I always keep near by, my scrappy log cabin quilt. I made this quilt using fabrics from all sorts of projects and all fabrics that I love. This quilt tells a story for me and I love it even more because of that. I hope to one day have the time to quilt it but for now, I am content to look at it and soak in the memories.

Day 26/Jan 26 - Colour    

I adore colour and my home does have a lot of colour in it. Here is one corner of my home that is bursting with colour. It always brings a smile to my face when I walk by too.

Day 27/Jan 27 - Lunch

I was feeling super duper tired yesterday so had no energy to make myself something yummy for lunch. On the menu for me was a little plate of milk arrowroot biscuits spread with margarine - yum! Easy, and just a little bit yummy too.

Day 28/Jan 28 - Light

Today's theme was to take a picture of light. We have had SO much rain here lately that we are craving some sunshine (and dry weather too). So my photo is of my sky right now and the small amount of light that is peeking through all the rain and clouds in my backyard.

So there you have it, another little snapshot into my week. Next week Emily and Jasper start back at school, I think they are both super excited which is wonderful. We also return to piano and organ lessons, and are adding dancing back into the mix as well. My days are going to be full but happy.

I will be madly stitching too as I really really want to share with you my latest pattern that I am working on. I will pop some sneak peeks here and there and hope to have the pattern photo to show you by Friday - yay! I can't wait. Have a great week xx Janelle

Happy Australia Day and a little Thrifty Thursday...

Here in Australia we have been celebrating Australia Day today. It is a day for families to celebrate being Australian. There is usually a BBQ involved, some time at the beach and maybe even fireworks to help celebrate too. Sadly for much of Australia this year we have had rain and cold weather, so many celebrations were cancelled or brought indoors. My thoughts are also with those in parts of Australia effected by flooding once again.

Our little family didn't do a lot of celebrating, hubby took the kids to the movies while I enjoyed a few quiet hours of stitching and the kids spent the afternoon playing games. I hope however you have spent your day, that it was a good one. (Now I just have to convince my brain that today isn't Sunday, but actually Thursday today LOL)

Also this week I had a little time to pop into the Op shop (thrift store) and bring just a few goodies home. This cute dress caught my eye and it fit perfectly, so it has come home with me. I think it is fun!

Also, these little pieces of jewellery caught my eye. I love the blue bracelet and the cameo brooch is something that I love, so I was happy to spend a few dollars and bring them home too.

Someone recently commented and asked where I put all of these things that I bring home from the Op shop, especially all the clothes. I just wanted to comment and say that I regularly donate bags of clothes back to my local Op shops. Just a few weeks ago I donated several large garbage sized bags. I hope that the clothes I pass on bring a smile to someone else's face when they find them Op shopping. I love this form of recycling, it sure is fun!!

Tomorrow we have registration day at school where the kids find out their classmates and teachers. I think they are both quietly excited for the school year to begin. It should be an interesting and fun day... x Janelle

Blog buttons

Last night when looking at my blog I noticed that something had happened with my blog button. For some reason it had gone all pixally. So this morning my little tech guru (Emily) got busy and helped me fix things. We made it a little smaller so that it will fit more blogs and I added another version as well.

So feel free to grab either blog button (and the code) to pop in the sidebar of your blog. Fingers crossed these ones work for everyone.

So glad I have a little tech expert to help me sort out these little glitches. xx Janelle

Meeting new friends...

On Monday morning we had the absolute pleasure of meeting some lovely new friends. Through her blog, Emily has developed some lovely friendships and when we heard that one of her interstate friends was holidaying up this way with her family, we were thrilled to be able to fit in a little get together before they headed home.

Monday morning arrived and we waited excitedly for Emily's friend Chloe and her family to arrive for morning tea. We had the most lovely morning together, we all chatted non stop and shared some yummy food over cups of tea too.

After chatting Blythe dolls, fabric, stitching and all things good and fun, we headed outside for some photos. Here are Emily and the lovely Chloe together.

And here they are with two of their Blythe dolls. So cute!

Chloe has the sweetest sisters as well, it was lovely to meet all of her family and get to spend a few hours together.

Little did I know, but Chloe's Mum Louise also works in the same industry as me, so we were able to chat all things Patchwork and fabric related all morning too. It was food for my soul. I loved every minute of meeting this beautiful family. The kids took a quick photo of us together as well.

It was so lovely to meet new friends and share our love of Blythe and fabric for a few hours. If only we lived closer! A huge thank you to the Papas family for taking the time out of their last day of holidays to come and visit with us. I hope we can do it again one day. x Janelle

The rest of the story...

Some of you may have noticed that there was another pair of legs in the box with August. Can you see another little pair of ankles towards the bottom of the box?

Once I had lifted out August and had a good look at her, this is what was left in the box.

Yes, you guess it, there was another Blythe doll in the box with August. SOOO exciting....

So here is the story. About October last year, I spotted this photo on Instagram that the lovely Katie of Skunkboy Creatures had shared. In the comments section she mentioned that she would be selling a few Blythes soon and this one would be the first.

(photo courtesty Katie of Skunkboy Creatures)

Well I couldn't get her out of my mind. You see, I am really crushing the colour orange at the moment and just loved this Orange girl. I decided to message Katie to see if this girl was still available, and to my excitement she was and I was able to purchase her to travel home with August. YAY!! I love things in threes, so to have three customs by Katie is pretty close to perfect for me.

So fast forward to yesterday. I lifted this girl out of the box, she was in my home, in my hands. Pretty exciting for me. And this is my first 'in real life' look at her.

(Please excuse her nekidness)

And here are the two sisters who traveled here together. Aren't they cute!

I quickly found some clothes for my new girl and took some photos of her. I have decided to call her Elize Bleu. I think it suits her. Here are some photos of Eliza Bleu.

She has the sweetest little freckles too - my first girl with freckles. Love!!

After another change of clothes, I took just a few more photos.

And of course a little sisters photo or two was needed as well. Here are my three Katie customs - Raven, Eliza Bleu and August.

And one on my iPhone as well.

So there you have the story of my secret new Blythe, Eliza Bleu. I am very happy that I have added her to my Blythe family. Now, these may be famous last words, but I honestly feel as though my Blythe family is pretty much complete. Of course there will always be room for another Kenner (or two) but as for Neo's (new Blythes) I don't feel like I need any more. I am very happy with my Blythe family right now and once again feel very blessed that they are all mine. xx Janelle

For those interested, Elize Bleu is a customised Simply Mango with a dyed scalp

Great things arrive in brown boxes

This morning I was VERY excited to be handed this parcel at the Post Office.

I had been tracking this parcel as it travelled all the way here from the United States since very early January. You see, inside this box was something very special.

With two very eager observers I carefully opened the box. Inside was a lovely note, business card and pink bubble wrap. Only gorgeous things could come wrapped in pink bubble wrap I am sure.

I carefully lifted the pink bubble wrap and this is what I saw inside. Eeek, it was pretty exciting let me tell you.

I lifted my precious cargo out of the box and carefully unwrapped her and this is what was looking back at me. One tired but gorgeous looking Blythe doll - my Blythe doll, August.

Here is the story...

Do you remember this Blythe doll of mine?

She is the beautiful Blythe doll that Emily and Jasper chose for me as a birthday girl for my last birthday. You can read all about it HERE.

Last year I decided that I would like to have August customised to match one of my other Blythe's, Raven. I emailed the customiser who customised Raven, the gorgeous Katie of Skunkboy Creatures, to ask if she would consider customising my August for me. To my sheer excitement, Katie said yes. So August was bundled up and sent all the way to America to be transformed.

And today was the day that she arrived home and I got to see her new look. Here is a first glimpse of her. Isn't she beautiful!

I was SO very excited to have August home once again. She is so very special to me because she was chosen for me by Emily and Jasper. And even more special now that Katie has added her special touch too. I couldn't wait to change her out of her traveling clothes and take some photos of her too. Here are some more photos of the new August...

I want to say a HUGE thank you to Katie for doing such a beautiful job of cusomising August, I just love her and am so happy to have her back in my little Blythe family too. I am going to have so much fun photographing her as well.

BUT, there is a little bit more of this story. Pop back tomorrow when I will tell you all about it... xx Janelle

For those interested, August is a Prima Dolly Saffy Blythe doll...

She's home...

Today feels like it was about 100 hours long!

Sometime during the many hours of waiting this morning, Jasper made this very special welcome home sign for Emily his big sister. It took up almost one wall of our house. He really missed her so much. (and we love to see how much he cares for her too)

I tidied Emily's bedroom and set up her blythe dolls to give her an extra welcome home from them as well.

And FINALLY the time came to go and meet the bus for Emily's return. We were SO excited to see Emily smiling and waving from the bus window, such a contrast to the worried little girl we sent off to camp a week ago.

She was one of the first to bound off the bus and straight into our arms for some much anticipated (and Mummy needed) hugs!!! She was tanned, happy, and overflowing with stories to tell us of her 'best week ever'. Here she is with her friend Charlotte and the two brothers who missed their sisters this past week.

We bundled her luggage into the car and headed home - with our very happy camper.

We have just spent a lovely evening listening to her stories and looking at her photos and little movies all about Summer camp. Her smile has barely left her face and for that we are thrilled. We took a big chance sending her to Summer camp but now know that we did the right thing. She hopped off that bus a little more tanned, a little taller and a lot more happy, confident and content. For that, I am unbelievably grateful.

Tonight I tucked my girl in bed, and can sleep just that little bit easier knowing all my chickens are under the one roof tonight. And as I say goodnight I can breathe a sigh of relief and know that for today, all is right in my little corner of the world. xx Janelle

Inspiration Sunday...

My Inspiration Sunday post is brought to you today by Vintage suitcases. I adore Vintage suitcase's and found some of the most inventive ways to use them. I hope you find these photos and links inspirational too.

FIrstly, this vintage suitcase turned into a sewing kit is one of the most inventive ways to use a vintage suitcase that I have seen in a very long time. I think it is amazing and such a wonderful and creative idea.

(source)

This very clever blogger, Vanessa, has not only shared photos of her finished vintage sewing case with us, but she has also shared step by step photos of how she made this gorgeous case. I think I need one of these for sure. I just LOVE it.

Why not use Vintage suitcases as shelving. Once again, this lovely blogger has shared step by step photos of how she created her shelving using vintage suitcases. Such a fun idea!

(source)

A stack of vintage suitcases make a great alternative to a bedside table, especially when space is a premium. Here you can see how this home owner has used vintage suitcases in their bedroom.

(source)

Some time ago, I actually set up my husbands side of our bedroom using a stack of vintage suitcases. We use them to house some of our linen that we don't use very often. We love this idea, especially since we don't have any built in cupboards in our home. You can see a quick iPhone photo of our bedside HERE.

Another great idea that I found is to turn a vintage suitcase into a bed for a pet. HERE is a link to a tutorial to turn a suitcase into a bed for a dog. It sure does look comfy.

(source)

Another fantastic idea is to turn a vintage suitcase into a doll house. Stacy from Hart and Sew shared how she made this gorgeous doll house using a vintage suitcase. I would love to make one of these one day. Isn't it adorable.

(source)

 And finally, I just adore these vintage suitcases that have had vintage fabric added to them. I love how Rachel Denbow of Smile and Wave has turned something plain into something fun and so cute too. If I ever find a bunch of cute coloured, vintage suitcases, I will be sure to add fabric to mine as well.

(source)

I hope you have enjoyed a little vintage suitcase inspiration today. I know I feel like hunting out the Op shops and garage sales to see if I can find some more cute little vintage suitcases to add to my home too. Have a great Sunday xx Janelle

P.S. My girl comes home today - YIPEEE!!!!! I can't wait to see her and hear all about her week at Summer camp. I had a wonderful week with my boy but we all missed Emily so much too and can't wait for her to be home again. Bring on this afternoon!!

A photo a day - week three...

Here are my photos from week three of the janphotoaday photo challenge. I love how these daily prompts help me to see a little piece of my day in a different way.

Day 15/Jan 15 - Happiness

Happiness for me is hearing my kids laugh and having fun together

Day 16/Jan 16 - Morning

This was the day we put our girl on a BIG bus to head off to Summer camp. She looked pretty scared and anxious but excited about the week ahead too

Day 17/Jan 17 - Water

Today I was very grateful for bubbling water that cooks our food and also for my husband who made dinner for us as well.

Day 18/Jan 18 - Something you bought

I know I have already shared about my fondue set, but this was my photo for today. A HUGE thank you to everyone who shared hints and tips for using it. I will be sure to keep you posted once we actually use it too.

Day 19/Jan 19 - Sweet

When looking at Emily's laptop early on this morning, this photo of my sweet girl popped up on her screen saver. It was just what I needed.

Day 20/Jan 20 - Someone you love

This is the face of someone I love. My gorgeous boy Jasper. I have thoroughly enjoyed a lovely week with him this week.

Day 21/Jan 21 - Reflection

In the hallway mirror today I could see my husband folding and putting away the towels he washed for us. He's a keeper!

I am getting pretty excited, my girl arrives home from Summer camp tomorrow. I can't wait to hug her and hear all about her adventures too. I also have a BIG week of stitching planned - and I will be sharing sneak peeks along the way here on my blog. Can't wait to show you all that I am working on. Have a lovely weekend xx Janelle

Thrifty Thursday...

This week has been a pretty good thrifting week. Not only did I find the most awesome and retro fondue set (see blog post here), I also found some gorgeous clothes for me that I love.

First up is this pretty dress/top from Avocado that fits me perfectly. I will be wearing it over tights with boots or over skinny jeans I think, as it is too short to wear on it's own, but I love it and can't wait to wear it.

Next up, I found this red dress that I adore. I am actually waiting for some cooler weather to wear it, but the fabric is so beautiful and soft with a little stretch for comfort too. I have a feeling this would have been from quite a costly store originally.

I also added this pretty little vest to my wardrobe as well. I was really drawn to the pin tucks, details and lace on this vest. It was from one of my favourite stores, Temt, and one I think will be fun to wear too.

Finally, I have been on the lookout for something suitable to wear to my nieces wedding in a few weeks. It is an outdoor wedding and it could quite possibly be hot. I haven't attended a wedding in a long time, so really have no idea what is 'wedding attire' these days. Anyway, Jasper and I found this dress at the Op shop the other day and with lots of coaxing from Jasper I tried it on and brought it home.

I think this little dress is really pretty but to be honest I am not sure if it is suitable for me. Thankfully it only cost me $7 so I will keep it and make a decision on the day. In the meantime I will hunt a little more and see what I can find. I love Op shopping!!

Hope you have had a fun and successful week of Op shopping this week too. xx Janelle