The agony of losing a much loved pet.

Yesterday morning we watched our beloved dog Ernie die in our arms. It was heartbreaking, and something you can never prepare for.  Writing helps me to grieve, so I wrote down some of my thoughts on life with this beautiful soul. Today, I've been dealing with a 2 year old who adored him, lying in bed sobbing and asking for his friend to be in there with him. Heartbreaking!

If I could write to Ernie, for speaking would be impossible through my tears, I’d begin by thanking him for showing me that love is unending and expanding. From a little house in St Kilda with just us, we grew to 3, then 4, and eventually a family of 8. Every morning for 14 years I listened out for the pitter patter of your paws until you pounced on my bed, and burrowed under the doona straight into the ‘spoon position’. You comforted me, and made me want to stay in bed that little bit longer. When you almost died as a puppy you taught me of bravery, of love and sacrifice, and of your fighting spirit. Through you, I learnt of my own ever expanding capacity to love. I shall miss your cheeky wags, but I will find comfort in 14 years of memories, of wagging tails and noses at fences, of opening drawers and unwrapping chocolates, of tricks, nutbag runs, riding around St Kilda with you in my bike basket, sniffing at doors on Acland St, cuddles, endless face licking, mischief, love, and so much more. Without you I will be less, but because of you I am so much more. Goodbye my beautiful boy. Love Mum. Xxxxxxx

If dogs could write letters, I think Ernie would write: Dear Mum, Thank you for adopting me all those years ago. Thank you for loving me, for cuddling me under the doona every morning, and for finding me a perfect sister to play with when you worked. Thank you for getting up on frosty mornings to explore the neighbourhood, for all those beach loony runs, and endless dog parks full of furry friends. Thank you for making me such a loved member of the family. Oh the bones, how I loved the bones. If only you had let me eat more people food, mum, then you’d have been perfect. I love you mum, and I’ll always be around you, all you need to do is think of me.

By Sharon Newth

Curtain refashion.

Here's my latest refashion from an old unloved curtain to a skirt. You may remember part of this curtain was used to cover a foot stool a while ago. I love this happy fabric, and this curtain really needed to see the world. :)

Sewing and refashioning

So basically it's all about keeping cool these days, and cleaning up the mess made by my favourite 2 year old terror. Oh how I've missed my sewing machine lately, so I really needed to sew on Friday, although my sewing room gave new meaning to the term 'sweat shop'.

On Friday I made a super hero cape for a little man turning 3 (Kayden). I was really working up a sweat on this one, but not the little man is now fully equipped to save the world, so it was obviously worth it.

After feeling as if my brain would melt on Firday, Saturday I opted for a no sew refashion of an op shopped dress that was way too small for me, but I bought because I liked the print and feel. It's been sitting in my craft room for months, and in less than a minute it was ready to wear. Just a snip and a fold. Simple but cute me thinks.

Then today I picked up a free dress that was ripe for refashioning. I love the funky print but it was large and shapeless. I unpicked, repaired, put some darts in, took in the sides, chopped off the sleeves and changed the buttons for some big old vintage ones. Now I have a new summer dress. As if I needed another one. :-/

Hopefully I will have time to do some more sewing in the coming weeks, as I really do crave it when I don't get enough time with my machine.

What have you been up to?

by Sharon Newth

Back to school.

Here's my day today. The kids went back to school after 5 weeks of holidays, and I was overwhelmed by sadness. I still had my two beautiful little men at home, but for some reason I took it hard this time. I'm well aware that they are growing up way too fast. They had a lovely first day back, and now I must get back into being a taxi service for cricket, soccer, swimming, school, tennis, pre school and playgroup. Craft will be squeezed in there somewhere. Most likely at the expense of sleep. :-)

By Sharon Newth

Salvaging postage stamps.

I"m officially the most unreliable blogger ever, but here I am again. Whilst those on the other side of the world were experiencing a 'polar vortex', in my part of the world we were sweltering under a week of extreme heat. We had a whole week of temperatures in the mid 40 degrees, which resulted in us doing nothing but swim and hide indoors. It caused my internet to be out of action for a week too!

Here's something I made using old postage stamps I salvaged from letters and postcards. I had no idea what I was making when I started this, I was just making it up as I went. My favourite way to create.

I've got a bit of a thing for hot air balloons, so here's what I ended up with. :-)

By Sharon Newth

Vintage towel refashion...

Here's something crazy I made from a big old vintage towel. This was one of those 'because I can' moments.

Towel, Found at the op shop for $1. My mum used to have one like this when I was a kid.

A few snips and lines of sewing and it becomes a circle skirt. Just watch me twirl!

Also doubles as a bather cover up.

Crazy I know, but fun.

By Sharon Newth

Handmade goodies by me.

A yellow dancing alien.

Polly

A New Year's thanks.

A school holiday activity jar for slow days

A jar of awesome.

Some crochet on holidays.

All made by me. See, I did manage to fit a little bit of crafty in amongst the mayhem of school holidays.

By Sharon Newth

A crafty hubby

One of the things I love about all of my making is that it has turned my hubby a little bit crafty too, and he now makes me things for my birthday. I love getting handmade presents and I love seeing this rare creative side of him.

Here's what he made me for my birthday on Tuesday.

He made me this map using some recycled wood from our garden at our old house in Melbourne.

I love it! There are pins to put in places you want to go. I love dreaming of new travels and adventures near and far. Look where I'm going this year!!! Yay! It's far not near.

He also made me this present. Made me laugh. Emergency rations.

Clever hubby!

By Sharon Newth

Recent op shopping adventures.

Here are some of my recent op shop finds. Most of these I found when we were on our family holiday.

Firstly, a couple of awesome vintage chenille quilts and fantastci condition. I love the pattern.

Some side plates from Johnson.

You know I can't resist this!

More Johnson ware.

And some stocks to make some more bird feeders and cake stands. Or just have a tea party.

Mr D fell in love with this strong woman. From the free toy box out the front.

A 50s chair that matches perfectly with Nan's table. Needs a tiny repair.

And a free couch and 2 armchairs for my outside undercover area. I love these. So old school comfortable and very well looked after.

Just had to do some shuffling in my kitchen to fit the new plates in.

Anyone else been thrifting?

By Sharon Newth

Refashioning

There isn't much time for anything but kids at the moment, hence my silent blog. Today I did manage to get crafty with the kids though, and do a little refashion. I do have some other posts to try and catch up on but for now I'll stick with today.

The kids and I made random artworks from recycled materials we scavenged from around the house. It kept us amused for an hour or so while the made toddler was having a nap.

Juliet then made me a tree with all of the love heart gum leaves she had gathered as a present for me.

I really needed to do something creative, so I dragged out this 80s op shopped dress and gave it a refashion.

I took out the shoulder pads, removed the pockets, took it in at the back and sides, and took from off the bottom. I made it too short! I'm going to have to add something funky to the bottom now.

What have you been up to?

By Sharon Newth