Definitely Chocolate!

I am thinking about chocolate, dreaming about chocolate, counting down the days until I can eat chocolate again!

Talk about a prison of my own making!!

Here is one chocolate shop to visit.  Yum!

It is called Definitely Chocolate!  Definitely!!

Stop on by! Definitely Chocolate Shop


There is one place that will be my first stop on the 'return to chocolate' roadtrain and luckily for me (and us Goldy living folk), one has just opened here at Robina Town Centre.

I'm talking Max Brenner's Chocolate Cafe

On my first morning off (negotiable with my husband, of course!), I am bound, with a girlfriend or two, to visit this delectable place.

I have heard many stories of the chocolate goodness. I have seen the queues. I have also been told that some people are obviously spending too much time at the Coffee/Choc counter! Oh no, there is a distinct probability that I could be one of those people in the near future!

But, first, we'll have to check the hype. Have you been? What did you think?

Sydney and Melbournites have an awful lot of MB in their vicinity, it seems. Give me a few hints on the best thing to choose! I need your help!!

Quilling Winners! Enjoy!!

The lovely Charlotte from the USA and delightful Lisa from NSW now have a bit of quilling magic coming their way! Happy Quilling from Mama Moontime.

Stamford Plaza High Tea memories and Aladdin's Fair Antique Show

A little kiss for you from Ned, just before bed!

In my quest to look after the little things eg 'things for a beautiful life', I made an updated version of this toilet roll holder.  The old one was granny style, and although handy, didn't fit quite right.  This Babushka doll fabric just called to me, "Amber, make something!".

I'm tired of so many beautiful bits of lovely fabric sitting inside my old retro suitcase, never to see the light of day.  I'm determined to pull it out, and use it, and display it, and have fun with it!

That was yesterday's itty bitty project but today, it was time for the last Aladdin's Fair in Brisbane. There were lots of treasures there but in amongst it all, MY LONG SEARCHED FOR pair of sugar tongs!

My mother (bless her!) bought them as a gift for me.  I am truly delighted!!

You see, a few years ago, a group of friends and I hosted a round of tea parties. Each one was hosted by a different girl (or heaven sent lady if you will) in a different venue.  It was the responsibility of the host to provide a meal of some sort, entertainment and a talking point.  'Entertainment' was loosely interpreted and many times, it was a mini craft project we all loved!

My tea party was hosted on the sunny verandah of my parent's new house at the bottom of our local mountain.  Henrietta was my trusty 'servant and tea maid', dressed in black and whites with the final touches of gloves and stockings.  She served us dainty cups of timely tea, (served in bone china cups courtesy of St Vinnie's) and delivered cucumber sandwiches, fresh scones with jam and clotted cream and rounds of cake with sheer precision and timeliness.  Our conversations were inspired by the handmade placecards which held a series of questions that aimed to help us learn more about each other and delve deeply into the humorous events of our pasts!

The only thing missing was the pair of sugar cube tongs that just evaded me- until now.  Today, they found me!  I am truly over the moon!

Our culmination (for you cannot complete a series of events without a large celebration!) was a large group of us who travelled in convoy to the Stamford Plaza in Brisbane for an afternoon of High Tea.  A large contingent of us travelled up there and snacked, soothed, suppered our way through an autumn afternoon.  It was dangerous territory and we all walked out a few kilos heavier than we walked in!

If you live nearby, why not make a visit yourself??

Felt Story Mats- a supportive platform for creative play

Felted storymats are such legendary things. I love their open-endedness and flexibility for storytelling. There is something special when you make one of these, and then tell a story to your children using it.

It is like it unplugs a drainhole and soon words, and story, and song, and verse, and rhyme and laughter begin pouring out of them, until you almost want to put the plug back in!!

I have hosted storymat making workshops, around full time teaching, for a number of years and there are about 50 families on the coast who are now proud owners of their own storymat.
I have heard tales of amazing imaginative play and storymaking that the children now do. The mothers gave of their own time and joyfully participated in the process, and this had the added benefit of opening up their own creative flow.

In the storymat making workshop, we can never have enough time! The hours fly by with all the new ideas that pop up and must come out to live on the 'page' of the felt.


These are two of my faves. I am beginning to use them with Ned now and he is fascinated. I look forward to him sharing his stories with me too!

If you are in the local area and want to make one yourself, why not gather a group of friends and I'll come to you with everything. All you need is some table space and a few old towels.

Why not make a playgroup mothers morning of it- add a few choc bikkies and cups of tea and the creativity will flow!

It is not hard at all and there is nothing to be afraid of. I will help you find your creative flame inside! Contact me on amber.greene@hotmail.com or leave a comment here!

Things to make with fingerknitting

Here are a few ideas of things to do with fingerknitting!

Why not make a paper basket ( the base is a circle, cut from a rainbow painted piece of paper. 4 cuts are made on the diagonal and a hole punch makes the holes for the ribbon ties and handle) It is perfect for a gift bag for a party or an easter egg hunt? They are pretty sturdy and kids like them too!

My friend Angie and her daughter Tigh once gave Henri this little basket filled with a gorgeous pink quartz crystal that she still has.

The handmade fingerknitted box token was an extra treat.

This is one I made. It is a bit deeper and held magic stones for a kindy game.

I like this basket as it can hang on a wall and display quirky treasures. It also fits the wrist of a child. Years ago, a group of children made one each and we collected spring flowers and native seedpods for a small posy.

Happy fingerknitting!

Milk and cookie treat

Yummy in the tummy, milk and cookies.

Don't these look delicious? I made these cookies a while ago but have found them in the quest for the playgroup set up.

They were from a little cookie set and all I did was cut them out and sew them up. I'm not one for doing too much of this kind of creating but this pack, and a birthday cake one too, I couldn't resist.

Sweet little things! and just right for little hands to play with.

Girligami! An original take on origami.

This book is a new find from the library. I have never seen origami quite like it.



How about this for a pair of high heels?


Or a fashionable outfit?


Why not have a look yourself? Girligami
The book comes with it's own papers so you can make the stuff immediately. I was tempted to tear out a page or two, but my good conscience got the better of me! So, it's time for a bookshop visit I think.

Making the most of the Mama Moontime!

The Mama Moontime is my favourite time of the day. Those hours between 9pm, when the house if finally quiet, and the magical midnight hour of 12 offer something both nourishing and sustaining for women.


This week has been all about sewing. Lucky me has the borrowed Bernina machine (Thank you, Helen! What a gift!) and it is a crime not to use it, I swear! So, it is time to make some more of my favourite A-line skirts for spring!

I'm past half way there and now am just waiting for sister Holly to bring over the godly overlocker. She is coming today!

I've also taken the time to machine stitch some applique onto my hand-embroidered skirt. A tree base in pink, and a tree top in green- now I can hand embroider these too. That skirt is coming along but in small leaps.

Here is the trusty Bernina machine. If I had a Rolls Royce, I imagine this is what it would be like to drive- smooth, predictable, even. I like this kind of driving, especially now with bubba in the back. Some would say slow and steady is boring, but I like that there is time to think and time to savour the journey. I'm now on the lookout for my own Bernina. Let me know if you hear of one!

Happy Sunday!

Child-friendly spaces in our communities

I think it is about time we start to say 'no more' and stand up for our children.

My friend was in her local library with her small children. They went into the children's section and she tried to encourage them to read some books. She looked for a quiet corner to sit and share some time with her children, but the pull of the colourful tv box and x-box style game was too much.
Rather than fight, she let it go.

But then, she visited again. This time, the Dora the Explorer was old hat and there was a new game. On the tv set in the young children's area, (visited by children of 1-8 years old), it was a game of killing. What is that??

Deciding that enough was enough, she spoke up but the Librarian was a bit miffed.
"That is what the children want these days. The other stuff was too boring for them".

It begs the question. Who is in charge??? Children or the adults???
No wonder, so many children are out of control and parents, teachers, schools and communities are struggling.

Let's take back our libraries and demand a sacred area where books, literature and art thrive. A place of solitude, a place to connect with the most human basic needs, a place of quiet, a place to think, a place filled with cosy nooks that allow people to immerse themselves in words.

Traditionally, a library has a quiet serenity (some would say a church-like aura) and in our busy world, there are not too many places like this left.
Let's preserve it!!

Media, Tv and computer games are everywhere- in most homes, shopping centres, transport hubs, aeroplanes, even in the computer section in the library. It is there if you want it or if you need it

But, let's also leave a little space for those who don't want or need it. Those of us who are striving to live lives filled with creativity, imagination, relationship and connection.

I worry for the little children who are so used to being filled up by an outside entertainment source, that they never have the opportunity to find the soul food within. I ponder the direction our society is headed when our children are surrounded by more and more explicit images in daily life and this is seen as NORMAL?? I wonder how long it will take for us as a group (a culture, a community, a country) to wake up and see that we need to say STOP...

My friend questioned her need to speak up, that it was easier to just ignore it and say nothing. It IS easier to say nothing. But if we don't speak up, who will????

We make a stand by choosing to have no tv (and advertising) in our house. Some think we are a bit strange (what? no tv? what do you do at night? you have no tv, by choice???) But then, strangely, most people go on to applaud our choice!

(By the way, we can still watch videos of our choice when we like)

We also choose to get into action- everyday- some little thing. To create, to build, to paint, to sing, to write.

To live life, rather than watch someone else's life.

Let's live this one life we have! Let's take a stand for what we believe in. Let's stand up for our young children and make decisions and build boundaries that keep them safe, happy, secure and in wonder at the world around them. Let's bring them the wonder of a good book and the ability to create their own inner picture imagination.

Surely, it is all about appropriate timing and placement.

An adult makes choices to watch, or not to watch, or how much to watch, and is in control and responsible for their experiences.
But to a child, the pull is strong- like too much sugar. We all know the effects of that on our children!

A young child learns about the world through what they see and experience, to build the foundation of who they will become. If the foundation is weakened, the building can't stand up to much pressure at all. But with a strong foundation, there is less chance to be swayed this way and that. Parents and adults are the ones who set the conditions. Let's make sure the environmental surrounds are stable, secure and safe whilst we build!

Let's speak up for healthy foundations, for positive choices, for freedom of choice. Let's also speak up for child-friendly areas in our communities.

Op shop treasure! Quilling papers.

An amazing find yesterday. Someone's entire collection of quilling papers, quilling tool, and quilling sample packs. A semi-retro find.

Some of it is over 20 years old and most of it is still in the packet. I love the unpredictability of a visit to a second-hand shop. The human desire to storehouse their bits and pieces is quite amazing and when it is time for things to be gifted forward, we are the lucky ones to have the opportunity to sort and find.

An opportunity shop is my grandma's attic I never had!
!


I'd like to share some of it with you! There are three packs in the picture below. Each one has all the bits and pieces you need to make a quilling card with a picture of either a Hoppity Rabbit, a Rocking Horse or a Bunny in a Basket.


Would you like some retro creative fun to do next weekend? Leave your name and URL in the comments section below. I will draw the three packs at 7pm on Monday 24th August at 7pm and get it in the post to you by Wednesday. Good luck!!

I won!!!

There was a cent auction at the fete on the weekend. For $10, we bought three sheets of tickets, numbers 49,50,and 51. I was number 50. My mum had sheet 49 and Henri had sheet 51. There were about 60 prizes and each one has a numbered box next to it. If you want a shot at winning that prize, you pop one of your tickets (about 20 on a sheet) into that box and wait to see if your number is pulled out.
Mine was! Sheet 50 won!

I love Kikki K. I also covet a birthday/anniversary calendar that I can transport from year to year. I have no time to rewrite dates on new calendars at all, but I don't want to forget either. This prize solves the problem AND it is from my fave stationary shop. Double delight!!




We also visited our Brazilian friends, Gabi and Julio and Gabi and Johnny (confusing?) and shared my oh-so-favourite-salty-steak on Sunday afternoon. The sun was shining, my friend is in her late pregnancy flush and we laughed lots. A great Sunday was had by all. Let's have more of these kinds of days!!



PS Chocolate Chomp party is ready, set, go! Invites will be out Monday. Save the date: Saturday 12th September. See you fellow chocoholics there!

How to make a knot rabbit

Knot rabbits are are a simple toy suitable for nature display tables, for Easter gifts,or for spring stories. The beauty lies in the simplicity. A young child will take the visual idea of 'rabbit' and run with it! Let their imaginations go wild.


Here it is. Step by step.
First, measure a length of fleece from your fingertips to your elbow crease.



Leaving about an inch at the top, tie a knot in the fleece. Keep your fingers close to the knot to prevent the fleece sliver breaking. With your fingers close to the knot, you can pull it fairly hard to make the knot solid.

Taking hold of that spare inch on top of the knot, separate it into two.
These are the ears!




Hold two fingers behind the knot as shown.

Take the long length under the hand and twist it upand over the back of the two fingers.
Bring the fleece over the front once again, as shown.

Take the end of the fleece (that now sits in front of hand) and slide it along the line of the two fingers, through the 'loop' that has been formed.

Pull the two fingers free of the fleece. You will see you have made a second knot.

Twist your 'holding hand' (the one that holds the top of the rabbit) around 180 degrees.

Now,the back of the knot should face you.

Take the itty bitty end of loose fleece and tuck it into the 'back' of the knot.

Push the itty bitty end into the knot and make sure it is secure.


Here is your finished rabbit, that should sit nicely on a flat surface.

Why not add a little surprise- a little silver wrapped choc egg or yogurt sultana sits nicely in the 'nest' on the rabbit's rump.

What a sweet little gift for a birthday party in a small paper basket or for a surprise find at an easter hunt!

I believe simple things like this truly capture the essence of, and delight, the young child! What wonder!

Creative Discipline and... little rainbow gnomes

This is my latest treasure and gift. A set of seven little rainbow gnomes. Sweet, sweet, sweet.


My friend Tania's mum is a knitter with a passion. She spends every waking moment knitting and loves it. Merrilyn knits many nappy pants for another friend of ours, but in her 'spare' moments, loves to knit gorgeous toys such as these. The best thing is that they are 100% wool with 100% wool stuffing. Hard to find these days, that is for sure.




You can buy your own set if you like. Merrilyn is happy to take orders.

Contact her at merri-oz@hotmail.com. Lucky for me, she lives just down the road!
Be sure to say hi and tell her I sent you!

It was Talk Time again tonight. This time, over two hours on Creative Strategies for Behaviour Management of Young Children (under 7). I really am passionate about this work, having done the very hard yards myself. If only someone had been there to hold my hand and give me a few pointers along the road...

I hope it was inspirational and thought-provoking and consciousness-raising. In all essence, this work is to support parents with their creative thinking. It is a constant theme here, isn't it! Just to keep lovingly encouraging and pushing and dragging people towards their inner creative soul.

The parenting journey is just one that truly asks creativity of us in so many ways and for so many years. Creative strategies help us stay that one step ahead of our children and one step is all we need to build solid, stable, happy, contented families. Go creativity!

We spoke about creating a vision for your family group, and 10 practical tools 'for your parenting backpack'. (Thanks, Emma!) I am madly finishing my book and hope to get it out into the world soon....

Let us know your success stories. We want to hear about them! We all do! Leave a comment here and share....

We see the light!

In our little pocket of bush, our two acres are protected from random hackings by a covenant and so we live surrounded by fire-prone gullys.

Trees near the house are a real danger and pose a real threat. The rural firies have been busy burning off this past weekend but it is still a worry.

We had three VERY TALL trees within metres of house that have been living a marked life for some time. Chris decided it was tackle time so out came the chainsaw.

My name is Greene, I live green but I like a husband with a chain saw when it comes to living in the bush.


And now we can see the sky! It was a bit touch and go for a while, hoping and praying (and using a big strong rope) to ensure the last tree fell where it was supposed to go.

Pure excitement, I can tell you! So exciting, I abandoned ship with the children and had a cuppa next door!


I am grateful to once again see some light. I definitely have a light addiction, if there is such a thing.

In my next phase of life (or incarnation), I plan to live under a big blue open sky where no tree encourages shadows to fall anywhere near. This country (treed) life is not 100% me but it is good for now.

Later, Kirra Beach, with lovely access to an open sky and no highrises, sounds like a great plan!

Guess the Secret Sound?

Do you know of that radio game- Guess the Secret Sound?

Chris and I played our 'sleeping in' version this morning with Ned, as he crawled around our bedroom and ensuite.

Sleeping in with a toddler is almost impossible, so it is more of an extended prone rest with one eye open!

I had big plans for activity today but so far have only managed to catch up on some reading- Women's Weekly (Jan, Feb issues from oppy), yesterday's paper and the Aldi brochure. The activity will just have to happen tomorrow!

Sometimes, the body and brain just needs a rest and replenishment.

Treasure hunting!

Today was a day for exploring and searching for treasure.

There was a trip to the big warehouse op shop I love (someone else got the retro sideboard. I have one, but want another!) and a chance meeting with my friend Rachel.

Rachel made my morning with the news of her enrolment in the workshop I am soon to host. It is part of the Bring Back the Magic' conference in September. Have a look!

That is exciting! I am hosting two workshops on the importance of movement for young children. This is what I love to do and feel so fortunate to be asked to present. We'll do big movement and small movement. We will use our feet, our hands, our bodies and our minds. And a bit of craft! It is going to be fun!



Next, it was time to visit the Emmanuel College fete. I love fetes. A lovely well mannered boy of about 15, helped us find our way and I was overjoyed to be on the receiving end of such kindness and good manners. Well done, Emmanuel.

I had one of those mindblowing cosmic syncronicity moments there.

My mum, Henrietta, Ned and I had just finished scones, jam, cream and tea (well, they all had scones, jam and cream. I had tea. The tummy and bottom area do not need any jam or cream for a while!) Ned was desperate for a bit of freedom and I walked him around the area that was lovingly cordoned off for tea lovers like us.

Just then, a lady stopped me and asked my name. Her ears pricked when she heard me calling Ned by name. Looking up, she recognised me from the blog pic! We had been in contact via email (for the Moondew Playgroup ) but had never met, and yet here we were, face to face!! It was delightful meeting Catherine and to put a face to a name. (I'll be seeing you soon!!)


It also amazes me that I finished high school here almost 20 years ago (20 year reunion next year!) but have only seen my high school flame, who still lives here, three times! Yet, the universe provides opportunities like today! I am in love with serendipity, coincidence and sycronicity.

Daggy as it may be, I love the movie Serendipity with Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack, just for that reason. I love the life jolt of these moments. If you like romance, coincidence and good NY film sets, then it is an oldie but a goodie for you too!



I also love my teenage daughter! Yes, she can be trying at times as all teenagers are apt to be- but tonight, as I sat soaking in a well deserved bath, she scrubbed my back upon my request AND THEN, GAVE ME A 15 MINUTE IMPROMPTU BACK MASSAGE!! What a legend of an effort! She also removed the old nail polish from my toes.

Life is full of surprises, isn't it! I just love this life!

The art of music- The time is now

Last night, I spoke of some of the concepts that Eleanor Winship shared with us recently.

Music was her theme.

In times of the past, music was revered. There were only two ways you could hear music. You either found someone to play for you, or you learned to play yourself.

As lovely Renee (one of the attendees) pointed out, Music is the only art that is fleeting. It is made, and it is gone. It disappears into the ethers. It truly is like magic. It is quiksilver. A gift from the Gods, and the alchemist's challenge.

Through music, we feel ecstacy, joy, sorrow, grounded, alive, full, dark and light. It has the ability to take us through a range of emotions, and as the delightful Jo, (who came last night) said, define us.
We all have 'our' songs- the soundtrack to the many visions of our life so far.

Throughout history, Music was an art that brought people together. Music was shared in the home, and was the bond that held many families close. Music marked every community event and tradition.

(Did you know that the invention of the tv was the single biggest player in the downturn of the Piano industry? What a loss!)

Now, music is everywhere. We have the I Pod, effectively allowing us to create our own private universe of music. We download our fave songs and make our mixtapes and can listen to the songs over and over again. Whereas once music joined us, now music often separates us.

But humans long for the new, for an experience of something foreign and exciting. We often have a physical reaction to songs that touch us deeply. Hairs stand up on our arms, and goosepimples form on our legs. We remember the very moment we heard a fave song for the first time. But hear it again and again, and the magic disappears.

When Michael Jackson died, his music flooded the airwaves. Songs from our past blasted from every music playing gadget. The first time I heard 'Ben' upon hearing the news of Michael's death, I was moved to tears. The second time, I stopped still and listened. The third and forth and fifth times, I don't remember. Complacency stepped in with familiarity.

Eleanor suggests that we need to preserve the wonder of music. How might we do that, I wondered, in a world stuffed full of electronic and mechanical sound? In a culture that provides music in every gap in life? In shopping centres, on telephone answering services, and ring tones on mobile phones.

How do we stand up for good solid live experiences of music and hold this as our touchstone? How do we say no to rubbish and a big YES to quality?

We can protect the ear.

Keep music special and we open our ears (and our children's ears) to the wonder of sound.

Too much is too much.

Allow time for stillness and quiet.

And when you listen to music, listen to it live.

Take in music of all generations and all cultures.

Search for the music magic and share it with everyone you know.

And sing!

Let's sing to ourselves, with our families and to our children. The more we sing, the more flexible and open we allow ourselves to be. The vessel for good music is prepared. We sing and we create a loving foundation for the music experience.

The Gentle arts- Preserving the goodness of home

Now, don't you agree? This is truly art.

Looking at the artistic element in the preserving of fruits and vegetables reminded me of all the things we can learn about preserving the artistic goodness in our homes.

I am doing a talk tonight on the content of the recent Vital Years conference and have been busy going through my notes.

One of the key statements was that
the 'arts' have to come from 'artists' who have a lifelong body of work.

Here is an example:
Goal: To learn the art of sculpture
Task: To carve a handmade spoon from an organic piece of timber

If we activate our thinking, we might decide that a sculptor (artistic thinking) might be a better choice than a carpenter (scientific thinking) for instance, who might approach the same task more mechanically.

But this would be different and probably reversed if one wanted to make a living through making spoons.

The question may be: what exactly is the outcome you are trying to achieve?

Is it possible to have a balanced approach? Can the scientific and artistic thinking styles meet somewhere in the middle?

There were four essential things given to us to ponder in the quest to provide 'artistic experiences'. I'd like to share. Of course, these ideas are for a classroom but they are relevant for our work as mama bears in the home.

1. Is the adult engaged artistically in the domestic arts and work processes?
2. How do the arts live in the space? (eg home)
3. How is the artistic experiences of the child (and adult) fostered through the furnishings and play materials?
4. Is the adult/teacher engaged in creative, artistic endeavour? (of their own choice, in their own time - for example, learning a new skill, such as making pottery mugs, with an experienced teacher)




I like to think that I am a domestic artist. Someone who strives to bring beauty and creative thought into every teensy part of life, on some level.

My body of work is moving, unfixed and transformed everyday. It is eaten, worn, given away, played with, cleaned up, and rarely hung on walls.

Every moment becomes an opportunity for an art process- how I cut up the fruit, clean the kitchen (or sometimes don't!), wear clothes and accessories, prepare food, hang out washing, sew bibs for Ned, decorate and care for my home and family.

I like that the opportunity is always there, even if many times I don't take it. Sometimes, I cut the fruit into shapes. Other days, Ned is lucky to have a bib on!

Some things are more of a challenge than others. I am a hopeless dag who really needs help, and money, to elevate my clothing style to my vision of beautiful. Luckily, every single day, there is a new opportunity to try something fresh! One day I'll get it just right!

Everyday, I actively engage in my own artistic endeavor. It might be whilst sitting alongside the sandpit,watching Ned with one eye, whilst I stitch the flower petals on my skirt. It could be drawing a new poster or label. Toddler time doesnt allow for large blocks of free time so projects are short and sweet and juicy.

I suppose the best thing I can do is to make sure materials are at hand (and they are! all over any available space in the bedroom, kitchen, hallway) and that my children see my striving to create some form of art.

Tidiness vs art is a real battle in this home.

It is often through the small, seemingly unnoticed gestures, that there is real impact on our loved ones around us.

It is all about making 'things for a beautiful life'.

What small (or big) gesture do you do to make your artistic essence come alive?

Brisbane Ekka- arts and crafts display

Extraordinary paper quilling




These photos don't do this work justice, I tell you



I love my Japanese fabrics and this bird is divine.
















After doing my cake decorating course earlier this year, I have real appreciation for the work of laying the RTR icing so that it is completely flat, with no bumps or creases.


I also have respect for those who create sugar lace like this. Perfect.





My fave shoe. I like it.

Paintings and photographs by the hundreds were also on display. My gosh, there are some talented creatives out amongst us!