autumn creeps into Canberra

Autumn in Canberra is finally creeping in--a month late, but nonetheless beautiful. Autumn and Spring in Canberra are so utterly breathtaking. I feel so lucky to live here and be so close to nature--both in the surrounding countryside but also in town.

Tomorrow, husband and I are heading to the National Gallery and Portrait Gallery to douse ourselves in art, then enjoy a brilliant coffee at the many and sensational cafes we have here (seriously--the cafes here at that good, only rivalled by Melbourne in my humble opinion).

I hope you've had a lovely Easter and have enjoyed the breaking of chocolate and spiced buns with loved ones. It's a magical time of year.

happy easter! 2012

A light, sweet, restful brunch this morning, in celebration of Easter Sunday . . . after the kids slept in! Discovering a trail of eggs from their room to the loungeroom, they gathered a stash of tinsel-wrapped treats (including some chocolate wombats), and even donned their Easter bonnets.

Wishing you all a joyful, family and friend oriented, restful Easter.

our easter sunday

happy easter

 Happy Easter, everyone!

Have a beautiful break with your family and friends.

xxx

donna hay easter

My gorgeous friend Teresa sent me donna hay cupcake mix for my birthday in February, and, being quite time poor, I never got round to making them. Until yesterday. Riley and I became rather choc-smeared as we whipped up these creations, complete with donna hay patty pans and butter icing.

The sugar-coated eggs were my little addition. So cute. And really really delicious. Very Donna. Put it this way - they won't last til Easter Sunday.

eastery knitted bliss on etsy

How I wish I could crochet. If you can, you need to head to etsy shop MevvSan (above) now.

easter has crept into our house

I have a lot going on at the moment, so this Easter I wanted to do something sweet and simple. A few vintage trinkets, some wind-up toys (which I adore), a branch from the garden (was going to spray paint this white but decided against it) studded with shimmery glass eggs, a simple tiered garland made of ivy and pink eggs and ribbon.

easter egg flowers

Beat The Bunny to his chocolate egg trail with these wonderful decorating ideas this Easter. Just make sure little baby rabbits (or big ones) don't end up nibbling on the spoils.

easter is coming . . .

I've been having a bit of a sad spell of late - lots of terrible loss going on in the world - both internationally and in my own backyard, and it's sometimes tough to drag yourself through the fog and into the light.

Sensing some major blues, my darling Husband brought me home some yellow. I put them into a sunshiney jug and added a newly-acquired rabbit (Bed, Bath and Table) and it all looked suddenly so Eastery.

It made me smile.

Soon the kids will be on school hols and we'll be revelling in this precious time of year. Last year I was 'too busy' to decorate for Easter but this year I've realised I'll pretty much be busy for the rest of my life, so I'm just going to make the time to decorate. Stay tuned for some Eastery house scenes.

Are you decorating this Easter?

sweet easter creatures

[Want to get busy with some Eastery projects with the kids? Here is a project I printed some time ago that might inspire you - why not dig some fuzzy stuff out of the craft cupboard and give it a whirl?]

These sweet, fluffy little Easter creatures will delight both children and adults alike - and as they are made from not much more than pompoms and ribbon, they're surprisingly easy to make...

Book Reading at MissChief Maker's Easter Event, Canberra

It was an absolutely divine Easter Sunday at Rodney's Nursery in Canberra, where families converged to celebrate with an egg hunt, Easter bonnet parade, colouring competition, sausage sizzle and all things chocolate-coated. Katie Dawson from MissChief Maker threw this event to raise funds for the 4TylerFames Fund, and around eighty kids enjoyed a perfect sunshiney afternoon of fun and games.

Whilst intrepid egg-layers set about laying their finest foiled chocolate treats, I kept the kids busy outside the MissChief Maker shop (below left) with a story-reading of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon. Then it was off and running for treasure. Well done, Katie!

See more here.

A Divine Easter Sunday

It was an absolutely divine Easter Sunday at Rodney's Nursery yesterday here in Canberra. Thanks to the exquisite stylings of Katie Dawson from MissChief Maker, who threw this event to raise funds for the 4TylerFames Fund, around eighty kids and their families enjoyed a perfect sunshiney afternoon of fun and games.

Whilst intrepid egg-layers set about laying their finest foiled chocolate treats, I kept the kids busy outside the MissChief Maker shop (below left) with a story-reading of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon. Then it was off and running for treasure!

I was stunned when Ella and Riley simultaneously unearthed (literally!) the great golden egg (above). They were absolutely delighted.

As crowds milled around, the excitement began to build for the Easter Bonnet Parade. Ella, with her 100% handmade creation, below left, was super-excited to get started, as Emma from Brindabella Baby (below right) began gathering together the talented little bunnies who entered.

Emma has just moved her shop to the stunning grounds of Rodney's Nursery, just down from MissChief Maker - but more on that in an upcoming post.

Katie Dawson (below left, second from right) got busy marking off all registered entrants as little ones gathered in their festive creations... SO wonderful to see boys entering their fabulous hats!

I don't know how the judges made a decision. Just beautiful. And after the bonnet parade, kids also enjoyed a colouring-in competition and lots of prize giveaways thanks to generous sponsors. Be sure to check the MissChief Maker website for updates on the event. Well done, Katie, Emma and everyone ivolved!