Sweet Little Birdhouse

I made this cute mini paper birdhouse from a kit in the Papercrafter Magazine. It's only a few centermeters high and packed full of floral detail. Now to find somewhere to put it.

Ghost Hunting!

The highlight of the weekend was the ghost tour we did Saturday night. We met our guide at Ballarat train station under the full moon. He was dressed in a 20^th century gentleman’s outfit complete with fancy walking stick. He did a fantastic job with the story telling and was very (boarder-lining on creepy) dramatic. When waiting to cross the road at traffic lights he would randomly stare at someone in our group of 12 without blinking or smiling. Very intense. When it was my turn I tried to stare back. That lasted around 10 seconds before I got all bashful and giggly. I wonder how long that stare took to perfect?

We began in the basement of Reid’s Guest House where we were all left in the pitch black wondering where our guide went. After a couple of minutes of this I took my phone out for light (I do not like small dark enclosed spaces) and he popped out saying “no lights please!” I think that must be how every tour begins, seeing who cracks first! This basement is actually the site of the very first ‘New York Bakery’ in Ballarat. This area used to be street level however due to flooding they raised the street. So a lot of buildings were constructed on top of old buildings. People have report seeing a woman in old fashion dress covered in flour or smelt backed goods but unfortunately all I could smell was damp.

 Our guide walked us around the streets of Ballarat stoping at certain well known haunted buildings and told us about the history and hauntings of the place. One bar used to have a poltergeist who took a liking to a certain girl who worked there. Typical lights on and off and things being moved. He left when she did. An old bank is haunted by Mary, a serving girl who slit her wrists in the bath when she found out the man she loved was marrying someone else. People have reported seeing her in the window and workers hear her crying.

We spent a bit of time in the court yard of Federation Uni which was the old Ballarat Gail. They used to hang the criminals and some are still buried under our feet, standing up facing east so they can never rest… it became cold and windy when we were all sitting there.

The tour finished at Craig’s Royal Hotel were we could look at the picture of Mr Craig himself. It is said his eyes follow you… When our group was going inside I looked behind me to notice our guide had promptly disappeared only to reappear inside sitting on a chair a few minutes later. I asked how he did that but he only touched his hat in return. Maybe he was a ghost himself?

This tour was well worth it. I (unfortunately?) did not see or feel any ghosts but the buildings and their stories were so interesting. Ballarat is filled with so much different style architecture. You do not really appreciate it until someone draws it to your attention. Our eccentric guide was just thicing on the cake!

1. Karina and myself with our guide.

2. Old New York Bakery.

3. Outside an old building where a woman died when her large skirts caught fire. People feel 'cold spots' inside.

4. The old bank where Mary weeps for her lost love.

5. Craig's Royal Hotel.

6. Courtyard at Fed Uni. Remember what was under our feet?

Fan-tabulous Fun!

I spent a fantastic girl’s weekend in Ballarat with my Aunty Karina. We based ourselves at Oscars which we were really pleased with. Our room was spacious and the bath room was amazing! The spa was massive! So was the shower actually. Karina enjoyed her spa but me not so much. I either had too little or too much water in and it went everywhere! Including all over the television next to the bath. These things always happen to me.

Oscars also had a restaurant on site. Karina and I enjoyed room service for breakfast with delicious coffee. Their warm chicken salad (grilled chicken, cos lettuce, pumpkin, bacon, avocado complete with a honey mustard dressing- all gluten and dairy free!) was so good I had it three times! Oscars was in central Ballarat so we could just walk to all the shops. And oh did we shop! Well it was a girl’s weekend after all. I have already posted some lovely clothes I purchased.

Saturday was spent in Daylesford, about a 40 minute drive from Ballarat. Yet again Karina and I shopped to we dropped (seriously, it was an effort to walk back to the car when we were done). The weather was rather muggy, then it rained and we were unsuccessful dodging the raindrops. So we unfortunately did not end up walking through the beautiful convent gardens. Next time. Daylesford is full or funky vintage shops and eating places. Both of us purchased a 1950s style petite coat made from black lace from a vintage shop. I am rather excited to wear it under my 1950’s style skirts to puff them out. A little black lace looks cute peaking from the bottom and swishing as I walk.

Next up the ghost tour. Did I see any spirits?…

1 & 2. Images of the country side driving between Ballarat and Daylesford.

3. Karina and I dining alfresco.

4. Steps leading up to a funky vintage shop.

5. Working record player in some of the many antique shops.
6. My '50s inspired outfit.

Beautiful Buildings of Ballarat and Daylesford

City of Church's

I love the historic buildings from the gold rush era in Ballarat. Here are a select few from my weekend away.

All that Glitters is... Pearls!

These two lovelies are for sale on my Made it site. Www.madeit.com.au/SMMCreations

Ballarat Beat

I'm having a girls weekend in Ballarat. It's already Friday afternoon and I have purchased three outfits. I am seriously running out of room in my wardrobe! Oh dear! 

This lovely blue dress was from a vintage shop in the city centre.  I could have spent all of my savings there! Lovely cute floral '50s inspired dresses. 

The brown dress and purple skirt were from a Red Cross op shop. Thrifty! 

This is one of my many favourite outfits for cooler summer days. I love the combination of brown and yellow. 

You have probably seen this one before! I love it to pieces. Many thanks to my darling Mum for sewing me the skirt! 

Chic Blacks and Pinks

These lovely cards are for sale on my Made It shop. They are patiently waiting for you to purchase them! 

www.madeit.com.au/SMMCreations

I loves these cards made with old sewing patterns.

And these glamorous purple threesome.  

Delicate pinks and greens too.

These are my very favourite, lovely dressed girls!

Once Upon A Time

I am a bookworm. There are so many books to read in this world but not enough time. The bookcase in my lounge room has my favourites on display plus some other bits and bobs. Books I love include:

*Harry Potter 

*The Inheritance Cycle

*Anything by Melina Marchetta 

* Matthew Reily

* The Hunger Games 

*Song of Ice and Fire

*Little House on the Prairie series 

*The Missing by Jane Casey.

While I am posting about my favourite books I may as well include music too:

*Vance Joy

*Brady James (listen to him at a festival, this man will go places, check him out!)

* The XX

*Of Monsters and Men

* Snow Patrol

* The Cat Empire

* The Rubans

*The Temper Trap

* The Killers

*Birds of Tokyo 

There is some great Australian talent here! 

Tea Cup Delight

I have posted my tea cup collection before so now it is time to show you how my love affair began- with my Mum's tea cup collection! 

I love these black and white patten plates. I always use this tea cup when I'm visiting. 

Mum's kitchen is blue and red and these glasses match wonderfully.