germany : cologne, munich & bavaria

Germany was our next stop after Belgium. A little unexpectedly it took our breath away. And it was the first place on our trip where it was really, really cold and snowy.

We had a very quick stop through Cologne on our way to Munich via train. Enough time to take in this amazing Gothic cathedral and a Christmas Market.


I've never seen a bike quite like this in Melbourne. Brrrr.


Breathtakingly beautiful views over Munich.


The view...... from here.


I wanted to take this home in my pocket. How cute! The BMW Museum in Munich was quite impressive, even to someone who has no real interest in cars.

Thanks for all the lovely comments on our trip photos. There are only a couple more destinations left!

belgium : brussels & brugges

Brussels had some of the most amazing buildings. While we were there it was Christmas Market time and in the evenings there was a pretty spectacular light and sound show in the main square shown in the first two pics.

I was trying to cheer him up! Not sure it worked though.

Brugges was so beautiful to walk around, even if it's freezing cold. Well, maybe I winged a bit but it was nothing a hot coffee and Belgium chocolates couldn't fix.

This statue was cool, doing it's best lizard impersonation and trying to camouflage in with the tree!

my place and yours : my collection

I remember collecting stickers, swap cards, mini soaps, erasers and badges when I was a little girl. I don't collect as many things these day but I do seem to have an ever growing brooch collection that's kind of just happened. I have posted most of these brooches before but I couldn't help playing along again with this weeks My Place and Yours hosted by Mikes.

hanging out

These cute little friends I made seem to enjoy hanging out. But perhaps I should swap their positions so at least they make eye contact! I think I'll go do that now.

And I hope you are all having a great weekend whoever you are hanging out with!

france : paris, tours & chinon

City of lights!

I wonder what was behind this little old door...

barking mad

This is a super quick felt brooch I whipped up the other night. It took no more than 15 minutes. Super quick I tell you!

Styled on these Origami for Kids : Origami Dog instructions. I trialed a quick one in paper first but it was too large so I cut my felt square smaller. Lots of pins help because felt wont stay folded like paper. Made from items all sitting on my desk. Admittedly I was lazy. That's why the brooch back is just a pin. It was in reach. I grabbed it. Ta-da!

spain : barcelona

Barcelona was the place I was looking forward to the most on our trip. I was not disappointed! I loved it. And as a fan of Gaudi's work I had to keep pinching myself while seeing his amazing creations in the flesh after years of looking at pictures in books.

Outside.Inside.

Outside. So magical.

Inside.

The Gothic Quarter. Beautiful.

On the day I especially fell in love with Spain (as mentioned in previous post) we bought food for our lunch at a market and then made our way to Park Güell. The place I was most excited about seeing!

After walking around for a while and making our way towards the top we stopped for lunch.

Me. Very unsuspecting of what was about to happen next.

The view from where we had lunch. Behind where we were sitting. Amazing.

If you look at my hand you might be able to guess what happened (not sure why it's on the wrong hand). Yes. I was proposed to and yes, I said yes! Yipee!

Um and in case you were wondering, no that is not real bling. I was proposed to with a giant plastic diamond ring from Bernard's Magic Shop. And because of this I thought it was a prank, actually first of all I thought he was taking another photo. It became a funny moment. And then the realisation he was serious. There were tears. Anyway my magic ring broke two days later but I still have it. It's pretty cool. And now I also have a non-plastic ring. Which is pretty cool too.

my place and yours : through the front door

This weeks theme for My Place and Yours hosted by Meet Me at Mikes is 'Through the Front Door' by Shelley from Femme de Montmarte.

"What is it you see when you enter your home? And how do you feel?"

Every time I enter my home I am greeted by my cat, Millie. She walks around my feet, meowing as she goes, takes a few steps then plonks herself down for a good pat and belly rub and then wonders how long it will be until she is fed!

Coming home is always a nice feeling. For me it's a place of love, laughter and comfort. With endless chores of course but I wouldn't swap it for the world!

spain : madrid & sergovia

It was hard for me to select only a few pics from Spain. I fell in love with Spain for so many reasons. I will tell you a special reason tomorrow... but for now I hope you enjoy the pics I have chosen.

Something about this building reminded me of The Royal Tenenbaums (my favourite movie).

Can you believe how massive the advertisement is going up behind this monument? Clever perhaps? Since everyone snaps a photo of it. A bit of a distraction though I think. Those blue skies have not been retouched in Photoshop either I promise.

The wonkiest and most perfect little bar we came across in Madrid. It was one of our favourite places.

Yes that is me. Somewhere in Sergovia near the aqueduct.

Daytime.Still 'daytime' but no more daylight. The short days were hard to get used to.

Sorry if I am boring you like a bad family slide night (do people still have those?). Anyway I will try and do some non-travel posts in between!

england : kent

The last pic is a cute little greenhouse and tool shed that belongs to my partners great-uncle who we both met for the first time. He was adorable and showed us around Kent for a day. Our own personal tour guide. Kent is pretty and SO green!

england : london

This time last year my partner and I were on a plane heading to England, our first stop on a 2 month adventure. It was my first time overseas. One year on we are wishing we were having another OS adventure! Alas that is not the case. So as I reminisce I thought I'd share some pics with you as I realise I didn't get around to sharing many with you when we got back.

First stop London.

The view...

..from here.

hurry!

Today is the last day of the beautiful Kat MacLeod's second solo show, Slight Inclusions. So, if you are in good ol' Melbourne town and have not been, scoot on down to the yummy Lamington Drive. This is your last chance. Hurry!

SPECIAL EXTENDED GALLERY HOURS! Sunday 12-5pm
Lamington Drive 89 George Street, Fitzroy

who can it be now...

Ok, following on from yesterday's post here is the completed, little, softie doll you saw a peek of. A mini-me of someone I made as part of an Artist Exchange I was invited to take part in by the lovely Cecilia.

Can you guess who it might be? She is a blogger. Her blog is lovely. She lives far away from Melbourne, Australia (where I live).

She likes to wear pearls.

And perhaps Wrist Worms too...

If you guessed this lady, you are indeed correct! Well done.

She is super talented, takes amazing photos and makes fun crocheted characters who never fail to make me smile.

I hope Sandra likes her mini-me softie. Is it creepy that I made a mini-me of someone I've never meet? I'm not sure. I hope Sandra doesn't think so. She was fun to make!

P.S. I now have this song stuck in my head after typing the title for this post. Perhaps those of you who grew up in Australia in the 80's do now too. If so I'm sorry. Happy Friday! : )

in progress

My messy desk and a little sneak peak at something or perhaps someone I am working on...
More tomorrow!

boxes of fun

by david hofmann

by claudia carieri

by scott jackson

The Box Doodle Project. I could look at this site for ages. So many creative box doodlers!

All images from The Box Doodle Project.