So while in France...

At the risk of sounding a bit naff, I bought these fabrics when I was in Paris. I found this amazing little shop not far from where I was staying in Le Marais, and nearly had a heart attack. And nearly bought the place out. I seriously spent a couple of hours just trying to choose. And of course, just as I was leaving I saw that they had a basket full of off cuts (coupons!) so I stayed a little longer still. One of these pieces is about to become the backing to a new commissioned cot quilt, and I'm looking forward to chopping into them and getting sewing...

It's been a while...

I've been enjoying a significant reduction in internet use lately. Some time down at the beach, a broken phone* and a general difficulty in getting back into the swing of things has meant that I've been away from many of these little online spaces. And truth be told, it's been lovely. But I thought I'd pop back here to share some pictures of a quilt I made while I was in France. I received a commission to create a cot quilt and a matching cushion for an impending new baby and from all reports, the new owners are pleased as punch. As am I.

*the lack of motivation in getting it fixed is perhaps telling me something. 

Home again home again jiggety jig.

Hello friends, well we are back in our own little apartment, back to our sunsets and city views and back to long, sunny days.

The last week or so in France was not overly photographed. We feasted and drank and spent time with cousins and aunties and uncles and went on walks and took in the Christmas lights and soaked up the festivities. We visited friends in the Pryenees, had wheelbarrow rides, gave an almost two year old his first hair cut, someone had the best day EVER with an uncle who just happens to be a fireman (we're still hearing about it), and mama did some baking for the troops. We slept in, we ate and laughed and danced in the kitchen to Michael Jackson and enjoyed the Christmas loot.

And then we arrived, hazy and exhausted from the long flight from a French winter to a Melbourne day of 41 degrees. sheesh.

But oh it's so good to be home.

It was hard to leave, and it's not easy to be so far away from family, but I have missed our own little space and the delights of home (ah, Melbourne coffee). Now we just need to get through these days of foggy jetlag and back into our rythm. And on into the beginning of a new year.
Wishing you all a very happy 2013...
xx

(sharing with Em and her weekly stills)

Joyeux Noel!

 A birthday was celebrated last week... 35, holy moly. There were chocolate croissants - bien sur - and train trips through France and Switzerland (not as romantic as it sounds with a toddler in tow) and help from the little man to blow out birthday candles.

I am feeling a little sentimental for the sun and the summer festivity of an Australian December, but am also trying to just take in the joys of a French winter with family that we don't see too often. We're off again on one more little trip before Christmas (I'm going to need a holiday after this holiday) and so I'll say this now... wishing you and your families a joyous Christmas wherever you may be in this wide world.
Gros Bisous! xx joanna

p.s. I dropped my phone on ceramic tiles yesterday and needless to say, it's a little worse for wear. So for you followers on instagram, I'll be a little absent for a while!

Snippets

A few little snapshots from the last couple of weeks.
The photos - and our time here in France - have been dominated by the snow. A first for Leo, and  a novelty for me, a girl from an Australian city. Of course, there was also Paris. We won't talk about the tears on the train, but otherwise the food, the galleries, the views, the snow, the head space... well it was all wonderful. But there was much delight in seeing the smiling face of my little one again (though he was more interested in the train I'd just stepped off) and now we potter and wander and prepare for Christmas and visit friends in Switzerland and eat more cheese...
xx

* the grandparent's house in the mountains
* he was not so sure about this first experience of snow...
* Andy Warhol at the Centre Pompidou in Paris
* Pompidou
* A rainy, snowy day in Paris
* Of course, I had to go and buy macarons
* We had to tell him that there were no cars back then, but still, it was Jesus, sheep and cars in the nativity scene
* The last two photos are of a glorious sunny day in the snow - skiing, tobogganing and general good times.

(p.s. for some reason I can no longer view youtube videos despite various efforts, so music mondays are on indefinite vacation)

eek...

It's chilly here.

Last week we went up to the nearby mountains to give Leo his first glimpse of the white stuff. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen snow fall and I think - no, I know - that I was more excited about it than he was. And it bucketed down. It was beautiful and enchanting and all those things that snow is when you don't have to live in it.

This weekend, I am being completely decadent and am hopping on a train to go back up to Paris for 2 nights ON MY OWN. I've never spent a night away from Leo so I'm a bit nervous about that. But the overriding emotion is one of excitement at being able to wander the streets alone, going wherever my feet and heart fancy. To walk and visit galleries and eat and browse and wander and eat and drink and eat. Without having to consult anyone, or discuss plans or be anywhere by a particular time or change a nappy. Completely decadent. xx

Music Monday #10

Well we made it. And the flight wasn't too bad. Still it was a long and exhasting trip and it is lovely now to be here with hubby's family, letting them soak up the goodness of time with their grandson. I have only ever been here in the summer time so it's a somewhat strange experience being here now with the leaves falling, the mist rolling in in the mornings and the short, dark days. Papi's harvest is no longer peaches and berries and cos salads, but endive and carrots and kiwis. It's lovely to observe the stark contrast of seasons and let Leo embrace it too.

So from chilly France back to Melbourne for a moment with today's Music Monday (it's still monday here!). I love this local duo, Sweet Jean, and this song and this cute little clip. Enjoy and next fortnight I may pull out a Frenchie one...
happy week!