and for my next trick.........Northern Regards Artisan Market

There are several things I am very passionate about. 

Handmade and Local are two of those things................

I love my role as volunteer at Made 'n Thornbury Craft Market ,

so the next step was to start a new market.

Kate Campbell  and I are excited (and stressed and nervous) to bring

Northern Regards Artisan Market to Northcote. 

The market will be held at Northcote Social Club on High Street Northcote. 

From the blurb......

"Now, we know what you are thinking….not another market in Melbourne?
And yes, we are proposing another market in Melbourne. However we believe that Northern Regards Artisan Market can fill a gap in the current Melbourne market scene

Northern Regards Artisan Market is focused on attracting artisans that have a strong sustainable, upcycled and recycled feel to their work."

We've got amazing stall holders lined up

and a pub with beer ! 

For me, it's the perfect way to spend a Saturday.

I'm excited !

Would love to see you there, 

Dee x

Dear Ruby.......Part Ten

Dear Ruby,

Oh sweet lil girl.

You came, you saw, you captured even more of my heart ! 

You were well rugged up for Melbourne's chilly weather.

Even your teething couldn't dampen your big smiles.
Although it did severely disturb  your sleep ! 

You have grown so much ! 

And almost walking on your own....

You really LOVE that dog ! 

And trucks, trains, cars, motorbikes and TRAMS. 

And your lovely Mama.

She's a good one your Mum, one of my favourite people.

We chatted, ate good food and good wine and went opshopping.

Bliss ! 

You devoured your very first ice cream. 

Blowing me kisses.

I love you Ruby girl......thanks for coming to visit,

Dee 

Dear Ruby....part nine

Dear sweet Ruby, 

You are almost one ! A whole year old ! 

Can you believe it ? We can't......this year has gone so fast. 

And you are growing.

And learning.

Four teeth.

Crawling.

Pulling yourself up onto EVERYTHING.

Desperate to get walking.

Slow down little girl.

Yes, that's Aunty Dee, Part-Time-Aunty George and RUBY ! 

At a winery, obviously. 

And oh my goodness.......you are so very cheeky !

You love music, especially your big sister's guitar and singing.

The louder the toy, the better it is.

You love your dog that you stole  you were given from your cousin Chloe.

You love waving to the cockatoos and kookaburras with you Dad in the afternoon. 

You're already a 'foodie'.

NO baby mush for you, your food must have flavour. And spice ! 

Hiya sweet baby girl.

We're coming to Sydney to celebrate you birthday. 

With pink balloons and cupcakes and presents. 

Our little trip with your Mummy didn't quite work out, but don't panic....there'll be more.
You're coming to Melbourne next month......

See you soon baby girl,
i love you loads, Dee xxx

One day, when I grow up....

I'm quite sure that when I was younger my play time was equally divided between having tea parties for my Barbies and bears,

Yes, me in high tea party mode.
Please note plates, jug and table cloth that I now  search op shops for on a weekly basis !

Teaching my long suffering  brother his ABCs

and having a shop. 

In my shop I would then sell my overfed Barbies and bears,

to,  no doubt my now genius (thanks to my teaching, obviously) brother.

Well, as a (somewhat) grown up I have definitely waitressed, served in shops and completed some teaching,

but this weekend, finally, it was my very own shop.

Well, mine with a few friends.

We had a Pop Up Shop in Marysville. 

It was SO much fun.

So lovely to be able to set up shop for a few days. 

To share the space and running of the shop

with four  very talented ladies.

It was great to be able to able to breathe life into an empty shop in Marysville for the weekend.

It was especially great to celebrate with wine afterwards.

And we definitely plan on POPping UP again soon. 

In a different location......

Until then, while I recover,

 it'll be tea parties at home ! 

Dee 

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Funny, funny April in Melbourne

Forgive me Blogger....

It has been over two weeks since my last post ! 

Ohhhhh, April in Melbourne ! 

You truly are one of all time favourite months in my all time favourite city.

Footy is back and the Cats are winning. 

(Yes, I'm a complicated woman, don't judge me and my passions !)

The weather is cooling, which means boots and dress weather,

but it's not too cold, so outdoor beers are still on the agenda.

There are craft markets with amazing talent to see and buy. 

And, possibly most importantly, it's Melbourne International  Comedy Festival Time !

Tram car bar at the fabulous Spiegeltent , Arts Centre Melbourne.

We are big fans of the Comedy Festival, and treat it as a marathon of laughs.

So far we've seen
 Ruy Wax,
the very clever, witty and hilarious Hannah Gadsby at the NGV,
Tripod
and the deliciously funny, DeAnne Smith.

And there are more to come !


Of course, seeing the shows usually means a cheap dinner of dumplings and then drinks.

The city is a buzz of activity and laughter.

And I love that so many of the performers can be found
 propping up the Town Hall  bar, just like us
or catching the 86 tram into thier shows, just like us,
or drinking and chatting in the tram car bar, just like us,
or seeing Hannah Gadsby at the NGV, just like us.

It's a very good time to be in Melbourne.

And exhale..............

Look, I'm the kind of person that when a friend needs a hand.....

I'm there.

If that friend happens to have a fridge stocked  with wine and cheese

AND be the mother of my adorably cute guide child....

I'm there ! 

So, I flew to Sydney last week to hang out with Ruby and her mum.

This visit wasn't as crazy busy as some of our visits together, but we still managed to eat well

and I got a good dose of Ruby love. 

Sunday brunch Cronulla style.

My little laundry assistant. 

Introducing Ruby to the wonders of fabric shopping ! 

Falling in love with a grand old Italian dame.

Some crafting.....

a BIG market ! 

and thankfully a successful market, great to be back in the market season. 

Post Market Dinner Date at a new (to us) Mexican spot in Brunswick.

Los Hermanos - delicious food and mojitos - highly reccomended. 

And back at home and missing this little girl.

It's a busy week again, which is good, but something has to give.

I'm declaring today a pj and mental health day. 

Happy Monday to you,

Dee x

Joining with the lovely Em and her Stills collection.