funtown

The girls bedroom has officially become funtown. Since losing their individual rooms and me gaining my lady studio we've crammed all their girly gear together in Ada's old room. Ada and Wilhelmina helped transform the room into a colourama maximus major. We bought a cheap Ikea bunk which scrubbed up nicely once the girls strategically placed their blankys, it now doubles up as a neat little cave cubby. Admittedly we were scared to merge them together, Ada was still occasionally 'sleeping in' (sometimes until (9.00am) but since Wilhelmina claimed her space she tends to disrespectfully wake Ada up as soon as she decides to rise, I guess the dream couldn't last... It's interesting how they kind of respect each others space, this was never the case when they slept in separate rooms, they were always planning sneaky raids and sabotaging each others bits and bobs. Although settling them at night can be a dreaded struggle it's nice to see them enjoying each others company and funny to eavesdrop on their super cute conversations. One thing to say about bunks, they are THE WORST to maintain, I've almost given up on making Wilhelmina's bed (she's up top) I'm turning a blind eye to all her collections, books, boxes and general clutter. Anyway she's old enough to make her own bed but I do dread each time I have to change the sheets, it's literally backbreaking work!  

I have a proper good time studio!!! I've waited a very LONG time, like serious years and it hasn't just happened overnight either, no really it hasn't. Finally we merged the girls together and they are sleeping semi harmoniously in a bunk situation. I scored Wilhelmina's old room and I am no longer competing with a double bed and other delightful bedroom attire nor am I bound to a metre by metre space. I can spread out, accommodate a Mac (if I desire) or just keep it old school with the essential brush, inks, paints and pens. Yep, I make the rules. The kids think it's a bit of a novelty and keep rifling through my treasured good bits so I'm buckling a bit and thinking of adding a mini kidlet corner so we can make art side by side, maybe... At the moment I'm savouring every moment and enjoying my new found creative solitude. There's nothing like your own special space, very liberating indeedy xo

3

day 1

1 year

2

3

Our beautiful little Ada Clementine turned 3 the other week. Three years ago, about a week and a half prior to her due date my body switched over to 'baby is coming out NOW' mode and I began psyching myself up for the arrival of a Boxing Day baby. Ada decided to hang on a little longer and to my relief arrived in the wee hours of the morning after Boxing Day at 1.13am. Hospital was a good experience, it was relatively quiet and relaxed because of the Christmas and New Year period which meant a room to myself with personal ensuite, not bad for a small public hospital. Fast forward 3 years and we are coping relatively fine with our epic German Christmas eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, birthday event extravaganza. It is back to back, full on family festivity frenzy! I wouldn't have it any other way and we are super blessed to have a cuddly, snuggly, happy, adventurous, imaginative, creative, talkative, brave, long legged, finger sucking, curly topped, mono dimpled, cheeky and loving daughter. I can't bare to think what life would be like without our little family. Even though most days we are handed our fair share of micro challenges (if you have ACTIVE, stubborn, hypo children like we do you'll give a quiet nod to that) but at the end of each day, once all the hoopla settles and our little darlings are pushing out zeds (after a lengthy and exhausting bed time battle most nights) you'll usually find me (almost immediately) kicking back, flicking through picks of the kids on my iphone grinning like a damn Cheshire cat. Happy 3 years baby Ada, we LOVE you xox

december fun times

 My brother Peter. Crappy photo I'm afraid :(

Zia McCabe with tatts!

Where did the last few weeks sneak to?! It's the day before Christmas, it's a summery hot Melbourne day, the shopping is done, the kids are having down time before we celebrate Christmas German style tonight with Mr Karl's family. Another dose of present opening tomorrow morning with yummy croissants from our local Aviv bakery for brecky then we head off to my sisters for a BIG family food fest and possibly more present opening, salty crackle then a walk to the park to get the system back into order. Fun times.

The year has been full of personal and family highlights, various low lights (minimal thank goodness) predominantly balanced with good times, decent health and a sprinkling of good humour to get through the tricky bits.

Throughout 2011 I have made and met wonderful creative friends from internetland out there in the REAL world! I've been blessed to work on some amazingly cool jobs and collaborations via the BEST agency in the world (Thanks Jeremy and JW team!) I have had a great year teaching with amazing staff and students plus I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Dawn Tan mid year. I've seen my Mr Karl's business go from strength to strength and I'm ever so proud of him! I've been lucky enough to be involved in many Design Files projects and I am forever indebted to Lucy Feagins and Jenny Butler for giving me such wonderful opportunities (thank you x 1 million and more) I am very grateful to everyone who has supported my work and spent their hard earned dollars buying my prints and other goodies. I am thrilled to have received lovely random emails out of the blue from people of all walks of life, it's always a pleasure to hear from you. Major thrill was when Zia McCabe from The Dandy Warhols emailed to tell me she has two of my images tattooed on her forearm, super cool! I am very proud of my families achievements, big and small. Wilhelmina has graduated from kinder and starts Prep in 2012, Ada turns the big 3 two days after Christmas, my niece Gracie completed VCE with flying colours and my big brother Peter blew us away with his good deeds and professional generosity. Thank you to everyone who has dropped by my blog throughout the year, I apologise for my lax writing style and thank you for persevering and returning to read my sporadic updates. I know the trappings of Christmas and ridiculous indulgence weighs heavy, but I do my best to keep things in perspective and cherish everyday with my loved ones and look forward to seeing them soaking up all the best magical bits that this crazy time of year offers. I dearly hope you and yours have a safe and peaceful Christmas, spare a thought for those doing it tough. Ease into the new year with plenty good times. Stay safe. See you in 2012 xo