Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Yummies up for sale

I have been working hard preparing for my first stall at the markets.  It will be shabby chic styled and will be at Silky Oaks, Manly Rd, Manly West, Qld this Saturday 24th July from 6am to 11am.  I have been making cards and tealight holders and have beautiful shabby linens and fabrics along with many other treasures.   Plus of course I add stuff all the time to my ebay shop.

lovely tea towel soon to be on ebay



lovely piece of crepe fabric - on ebay

6 - 8 seater table cloth in perfect condition going on eba

found this little gem on the side of the road


same lovely find with shelving added, then covered with old drawer liners and beautiful linens and vintage aprons for the markets on Saturday.

Please come along there will be loads of lovelies for sale like a pink medicine cabinet, a white shabby mirror, huge rose painting and so much more

Monday, July 19, 2010

Shaping Clay


I thought I would share with you our journey with autism. 

We were living in Mackay about 1000km from our family when my two year old first born was diagnosed with autism.  I didn't feel anything, I felt numb.  I settled into a frenzy of needing to know everything you can possibly know about autism.  It was ridiculous.  I lived, ate, breathed it.  All this time breastfeeding my new born daughter.

We quickly packed up and moved back to Brisbane.  We needed family support and better facilities.  It quickly became apparent our modest income was not going to support our son Clay's needs for early intervention.

So we sold our house and then lived with my parents for three years to help us manage with his therapies and also help our family deal with our grief but also our joy with all the gains and miracles our precious boy achieved.

I have written and published several articles around the place and would like to share this one that was recently published in an ezine.

Clay started accessing Autism Qld’s services from the age of 2 and a half. Attending a play group that gave me time with other Mother’s and introduced us to the different specialists employed there. One month we would meet the occupational therapist, another the physio therapist or the speech therapist. After 18 months, Clay was accepted into the Sunnybank Campus’ Early Intervention program. A two day a week fun filled, action packed day with regular contact with all the above therapists. He evolved. He was a boy with no turn taking skills, little speech and no toilet training. Amongst other things, at the end of that year, Clay was initiating games and happily awaiting his turn, he began to string words together forming simple sentences and was fully toilet trained.




The staff are patient, kind and loving and always take the time to listen to your concerns or celebrate milestones. What some people consider ho hum achievements to us are miracles. Clay was five and at Prep when he uttered his first seven word sentence “Hey Dad have you seen my scooter?” I will never forget that day. We were living with my parents at the time and we were in the back yard. All four adults paused and then cheered; laughing and crying. We were so excited we went out for dinner that night to celebrate.



And so it goes; Clay has gone from one small miracle to the next. A constant source of wonder and joy to us all. He is now 8 and in grade 3 at a mainstream school. We continue to deal with issues. They are different ones now and in five years will be different again. It is a relief to know that at all times during Clay’s life he will be able to access services provided by a dedicated team at Autism Qld. Be it holiday programs or sibling support for his sister. Possibly a visit from the outreach team who will attend any school in Queensland no matter how remote, if their services are required.



We are conscious that none of Clay’s successes would be possible were it not for the likes of Autism Qld. We are grateful he had an opportunity that so many kids miss out on simply because the funding is so stretched and the need so high. Clay has a very unique skill. Drive him somewhere once and he will never forget how to get there. He can draw road maps of anywhere he has been and then makes up road maps as well. He recently directed us to a house we lived in over 4 years ago. If I kept all his maps – it would fill our garage.
 
 
I hope you have enjoyed learning a little of what we have achieved.  We don't want sympathy we want celebrations.  We don't want pity we want tolerance.  Remember if you have met one autistic child then you have met one autistic child.  It is called a spectrum because each child/person is different; just like we all are different and unique.  Also if you see a child in a supermarket having a huge tantrum just consider this; they may be autistic and having a meltdown because the smells/sounds/sights etc are upsetting them.
 
Take care, enjoy your Monday.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Would Like Your Advice

Hello out there in blogville.  I scored big time with some beautiful pieces of Holly Hobbie wallpaper and really would like suggestions on what to do.  I was thinking I could cut the different Holly Hobbie girls out and then glue onto painted timber for gorgeous wall art.  I might even use one of these for my very first ever "drum roll please" ................. give away.  Just trying to get a few more followers and how do you do that also?

I am also busily preparing for the first of my permanent stalls at the Silky Oaks Carboot Sale, Manly Rd, Manly West.  Next one is on 24th July and are monthly I think 3rd Saturday of each month.  I am offering delish shabby chic wares that I have picked up along the way.  Sometimes loved and adored by me and sharing the love.




Just some teasing little picks of items that are now for sale in my ebay store

Friday, July 16, 2010

Before and After Cane Chair

Just to change the subject completely I just have to share this bargain with you.




Well the lighting was not great when I took this pic.  It is a about 80cm high and is an exquisite embroidered piece professionally framed behind non-reflective glass and cost the grand sum of $7.00.  I will show a better pic when it is on the wall in Miss Ally's bedroom.

Now back on track.  A couple of weeks ago I bought a cane chair on ebay for $6.74.  Funny story as not long after it closed a friend messaged me on facebook?  Did you just buy a cane couch on ebay. 


So we painted it with plain old primer.  Bought a chair cushion from a little op shop down the road which was $8.00 and then bought the two beige striped ones at a department store (they cost more then the chair and floral cushion)




Then bought this wicker chair on ebay for $20.50 - just looking for the right cushion now.


Drooling still now.  Hope you all have a lovely weekend

Saturday, July 10, 2010

My Latest Op Shop Finds

Even though it was school holidays here in chilly Brisbane, I managed to steal a few minutes here and there to sneak a look into a few different op shops.


these lovely gems ranged in price from $1 to $5 OMG!!



Have a fascination with carousel horses - bought these at two different stores.  The jug looks divine with roses in them and as for that beautiful flower have no idea but I LOVE it.



this is a front and back view of a sweet cushion - $1


More bits and bobs



I believe this lovely painting was only $5 and it is a painting



$2 woohoo so love this


So did get some more but these are the most photo worthy.  I also tortured my husband and kids this afternoon by insisting on trawling through the junk people have put out for the council clean up.  Pick up some great stuff which I will reveal here later.  Also was talked out of some stuff by my patient long suffering husband.  I should have ignored him because with a bit of elbow grease it would have been so worthwhile.

We did manage to get in a yummy pizza at Oxford St, Bulimba and took our darling Master Clay to a Model Train show.  We are thinking of joining this club.  They meet Friday nights at Carina right beside where my main man plays baseball.  I think it would be great for our son who is totally fixated on trains.  (part of his wonderful autistic quirks).  However, the boredom for me and Miss Ally will be tough.