I Dream Of:: COMING HOME

Is it that time already. Here I am thinking of all the things that make home Home. I am leaving tomorrow and I can't wait to get there. Not that Starbucks is what I am dying for. Sydney, by far, has a better cup of coffee. Its the company! I can't wait to be engulfed by my family and their hugs and kisses. I miss my four sisters. Their little hang ups, their way with phrases and words. Their quirkiness that were once annoying is now what I miss the most.

I miss the houses in their neat little rows and manicured control gardens. Living in the forrest is a wonderful thing but sometimes just looking out on some simple grass feels so relaxing. I miss the shopping. The price of living and the gentle sunshine.

In fact, the thing I miss the most is my mom. Her smell, the way her check feels when I kiss it. that crapey softness that comes with ages of smiling. I can't wait for her to hug me. To spend hours cuddled up in her bed with her talking till 5 am.

Work in Progress

Another reason why I have been missing in action....

Before and mid job of the lower retaining wall off the entry way. You can see the slope was right up against the porch and how much more space is created by pushing it back. you can also see the misplaced hibiscus...

My husband and I have started the next wall project. Landscaping is still a major need and want for this property. Having built our first wall, we are now ready for the second. Already I feel like the slope is not coming in my front door. Just by removing two meters of soil! This will be planted out almost exclusively in camellia and azalea with good ground cover. I will most likely remove that New Zealand Hibiscus. I am not happy with the look when it dies down and it is in the wrong place! It creates an eyesore in the winter months. Will put it hidden back amongst evergreens so when it dies back it is softer to look at.

Our plans are to enclose the porch and create a foyer, so to speak, as my front doors open right onto the stairs that lead down to the playroom. It makes for a very bad entry where your guests are shuffled between stairs, host, hallway and door. I think enclosing the porch in glass and moving the front doors to the side will open that up considerably. I also don't want to loose the morning winter light I get, So the glass is pretty important to me. Louvers are also being considered here as that is were we get our summer breezes in the humid weather. Without the breeze the house is unbearable at night. on the other side of the porch, by the camellia tree we are trying to keep while building, will be a zen like garden. Or so my husband says.... This is his little space to create on his own without any interference from me! It will be off the dining room and will open up via french doors to the enclosed garden for more light and atmosphere while dining. question is do I want to have the porch open with glass facing that garden? or do I leave that wall solid thereby creating a hidden garden effect that guest don't know about until they are seated? hummmmm.....

We were thinking of paving the concrete slab with sandstone at one point, but now we both are coming around to decking it. Trying to create the illusion of a tree house with a wrap around deck. This will also tie in the back veranda and extension deck on the side of the house to the front. At the moment, I am trying to convince him that wrapping the brick stairs in Decking and using the stone pavers on the foothold would also bring the deck up to the street level as well as warming up the pavers and tying it back into the block and bush rock walls.

Finding so many rocks and having no where to put them, I have built the second Terrace. It will balance out the other side. I have made a little pebbled path for easier access to maintain the slope. and Have just started thinking about plants for spring. What I have planted to date has all been from cuttings or from collecting plants that others have been throwing away on the side of the road for council clean up. Mostly, agapanthus, mondo grass, spider plants (so we call them in the states) and these super great plants that grow well and I just keep dividing every couple of moths. I think they are called moses in the cradle. But I am not sure. Love the dark green with purple underside though. Keeping to purples and greens leaves with splahes of color.

So far, I have only paid for the decorative rocks and the weed mat! I will put up a treated pine boarder to cover the weed mat and retain the soil so it doesn't fall into my gravel. I am very pleased to date with the way this is progressing.

Before and after shots of the first wall.

I put scavenged plants in this bed to maintain them for replanting. I am pleased with the result though! I may fill in more with the zebra plant and the sweet pea plants. I think the inpatients like it here as well. The peace lilies are not happy. May have to just move them indoors.... Will see how they fare this winter. I love cyclamen, I will keep adding more around to the lower bed once the soil is prepared better. At the moment, the lower bed soil is horrible but the Mondo and the Moses in the Cradle are doing well enough.

Missing in Action

I have been bad! Its been ages since I logged on to share all that is happening around here. To make things worse, I am leaving for four weeks to the states on Saturday. Don't misunderstand me, I am thrilled to be leaving. But, I will most likely not post too many times in the next four weeks either. So a quick update to share what has happened in my absence.

As you may recall, this is the start of the remodel back in November. We had a full fledge leak coming from the shower through to the lower lounge room. Extensive damage and not covered by insurance! This was the last thing we wanted to do after just purchasing the house. Finally, after much work and many months of tradesmen. It is finished.

Why did this take so long? Firstly, it was an absolute nightmare! We made mistakes with ordering tiles, even though we had a tiler do the math. We also skimped money with tradesmen. We settled for their off hours between 4-6. And thirdly, after I finally got all the wall in and painted and decided to trim out the mirror. I nailed through a water line! Which meant ripping out a wall and patching and painting and plumbing etc. I was not happy about that. Last but by far the worst! The shower door installation was a joke!! It took weeks. And it was hard work on my part because they kept wanting to do a poor quality work! Round one, they installed the pains of glass off the shower pan line. Insisting it was impossible to hang on the line. Because they installed it off line, they had to re cut the glass. I was not happy with this at all. So when they came back I continued to insist they follow the pan line. It is only silicon. you can glue it at any angle! This was a battle until I had my husband call the company. Once corrected they had to re cut the glass again.

Then they hung the door and missed the stud! They said this was all fine as the tiles would hold the door up. of course they cracked my marble and tiles. The idea of the heavy door pulling on my wall with no support other than tiles was scary. I asked them to remove the door and said I would pad the stud. A task I was not happy about since it required I cut in the through the hall way. Once again I had to get another wall repaired. And can I just add, padding a stud is not an easy task. It took me three tries before I could fit the power drill in between the wall cavity to screw the stud in. Finally, padded I had them re install the door. Which had to be moved over as they now were following the correct pan line.

But, it didn't end there! The installer left the place in such a mess with such a sloppy application of silicon and the door hung lopsided, I once again had to call and complain. it took three more hours for the silicon to be cleaned up, cleaned off my floor, and basin, and the joints made crisp and smooth. For the glass to be cleaned up of silicon and for the door to be hung plum.

I decided last minuet to put this little cubby hole above the bath. I needed something to break the space up and A piece of art in this humid environment was not an option. I made this little box and the plasterer (who was exceptional) put it in for me. Thanks Liam!

What I love about the space. I love the flooring!! unfortunately, my husband doesn't. But it works for young children. It is a wonderful tile surface that has shine and matte areas. It also has a wonderful texture! I especially love the way it accents the honey toned hardwood floor. It reminds me of the way the rocks on a beach look. With bits of gray and sandstone stripes glossy from water and matte from sun and wind. It is perfect as it doesn't show muddy little foot prints too!

I also love the elongated Subway tiles. Not your traditional size which adds a modern twist, but with a classical application.

I have to add before I go. I love the toilet too! Sitting lush against the wall I no longer have to reach around the thing to clean behind it. No little groves and twists to collect dust and other things you find around a toilet. Just clean and solid. I think in the master bath I will try a floating toilet!?

This weeks inspiration was Monet's Water lilies. I just love the gentle colours and the lightness the paintings evoke. The soft blues and greens are a perfect combination of Amazonite, Aventurine, Kynite, Prehinte and Jade with just a hint of blush from Rose Quartz. Capturing the blush of pink from the water lilies in a lush environment of greens and blues.

Summer is ending here in Oz and the fall weather we are having made me feel light and free myself. I have to admit I did the necklace three times before getting it to fall right. But I think I captured the essence of what I love most about Monet.

soon to be posted here

I Dream Of:: A New Moon

There is something so special about a full moon over a silver sea. When I made this bracelet, that is exactly what was going through my mind. It is just the right amount of silver to light ratio. Not surprising, I sold it as soon as made it. I didn't even get a chance to put it on the inventory list! Wonder if I should do another with a necklace and earrings. Maybe a whole series of moon light inspired jewels....?

agate with quartz crystal and swarovski crystal

click here to see more from Made in Stone

I Dream Of:: A Job Well Done

Here is the complete bridal party jewellery. The maid of honor and the sweet, little 10 year old, bridesmaids are all very happy with the results. Now just the bride remains to be done up.

I Dream Of:: Wedding Bells

Just working on a wedding commission and thought I would share my ideas with you all. The color is dusty rose. Very simple dress. I am thinking of stones in a variety of colors. Tourmaline colors to be exact, with contrasting pearls. I am trying something new too! A ribbon flower made from organza. It just sits to the side not in the center. A bit of color contrast, a bit of shine and a bit of luster. What do you think?

Sorry the photo quality is poor. I think my camera is on the brink of quitting.

I Dream Of:: Forgiveness

Two weeks ago my little men came down with nasty colds. Followed by my eldest crying and complaining about his ears. My youngest was coughing. After much humming and hawwing I decided to take the youngest with us on the doctors visit. I was sure my eldest had ear infections. Not so sure the coughing my youngest was doing was anything other than post nasal drip.

Hours later it was no surprise that my eldest had a double ear infection. What did surprise me was that my youngest, brand new reconstructed ear, was so infected it was on the point of rupturing! we were sent home with two weeks of antibiotics and a warning to watch my little mans ears.

Some history here is important. my little guy has been suffering with ear pain since infancy. Only last year we discovered that he had a tumor in his ear that ate out his entire middle ear and did some serous damage to other areas in and around the ear and sinus region. never once does this beautiful boy ever complain about ear pain. On many occasions, his infections have been found like this with no tall tale signs of fever or crankiness or crying at night. So going home with a bulging ear drum that was just newly installed and knowing that the vulnerable little bones that were just set are at risk is not fun. Many days I asked and probed if he was ok. To which he always said yes. After two weeks, when he was cranky I just chalked it up to Kindergarden tiredness. besides we had a follow up visit scheduled for monday anyway. I didn't think twice, after two weeks of antibiotics, when I took him for his dentist visit and gave permission to fill his tooth. So, I was very surprised when on saturday morning he had a hard film covering his ear canal. At which point all the warning bells went off. Too Late!

For the last few days I have been beating myself up over how I could have prevented all this from happening. How could I have let my little man down? How did I not know that he was in pain when he was cranky after school? That his infection didn't clear up as I thought. How could I insist that a cavity be filled when he was in pain? Why did this happen? After all that worry and multiple surgeries, how could I have let him down so very horribly?

Forgiveness is a very hard thing to come by. It is hard to forgive others for doing you harm. But, when it is you doing harm to your own child it is even harder. When in fact, There would have been nothing I could have done to prevent it from happening. But, that doesn't seem to sink in. I find myself at multiple times during the day saying "I couldn't have stopped it". my friends and family all say, "you can't be inside his head". No matter what, I still feel horrible about it all.

Today, I am asking my friend, who is a nurse, if she can get me one of those lights for seeing in ears. At least then I can be inside his head. So when he is a bit off, I can just check his ear. And I won't have to rely on him. he just doesn't feel the pain the way we would. Now that his new ear drum has a hole he is happier. I guess the pressure is off him. now we just keep our fingers crossed and hope that it closes it and that his new small bones held up. Only a few more months of waiting left. July is just around the corner.

I Dream Of:: Beautiful Gems Floating in Ribbons

After much thought, work and pain over how to make these precious little treasures wearable and visually pleasing, I am proud to announce the latest successful offspring of Made in Stone.

Bridal Lotus Flower Necklace : Gold Fish Cluster Necklace: Lily Pond Necklace:

coming soon to the website

The necklaces were my starting point. As you have watched over the last few months... My first was for a custom order over the holidays. After falling in love with the concept and the creation, I gathered some beads and put a few color combinations together. I had to wait a few weeks for my shipment to arrive with all my silver pins and wire! (I was extremely low after my last show.) Once I got my shipment and myself organized I started a frenzy of twisting and cutting and stringing. Finally, I have my dreams realized.

After all this creating, I had a dream about a bracelet tied up in a bow! But, dreams are often far from reality....

Daisy Cluster Ribbon Bracelet

My first problem was how to create a bow with ribbon around your wrist if there is no one there to tie it? As often is the case, bracelet also undergo lots of tugging and pulling. How then do I make it secure? After two days of working out the kinks I leave you with these two new ribbon bracelets. Bows are disguising a convenient and sturdy little snap!

Detail of 925 Sterling Silver Citrine and Tourmaline

I wore mine all day today and it was comfortable and secure!

Floral Bouquet Ribbon Bracelet: using Rhodonite,

Afghanistan Jade and Rose Quartz

I Dream Of:: Aching Fingers

Spent most of yesterday making lots of lovely gems. I will post even more in the next few days. After so much twisting and cutting and beading my fingers are a bit sore. I believe a feel a callous coming up on my pointer finger!

With all this work, I am off to the shop to purchase some beautiful ribbon for my new season of jewels. I mentioned them earlier and they are just about done. I created 4 necklaces yesterday and dreamt about a style of bracelet. Still working out the logistics of how it will wear. I am so excited about it. Maybe I will have them done today for my post tomorrow!

Like what you see? Want to see more? click here to access my website.

I Dream Of:: Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day

How sweet are these two birds sitting on my veranda. With the 14th coming this weekend, I just had to snap the photo.

I Dream Of:: First week of School

Busy week for me. My bathroom is getting walls this week and the tiles go in next week. Lots of men in and out and I am so happy it is almost over. I am tired of Cleaning up the dust after every workday.

First week of school is half over. My little man is off to big boy school with his big brother and I didn't cry!

These are the new items I made this week. They look lovely on. I wore them on his first day of School. Check them out here and at madeinstone@etsy

I Dream Of:: Business

Today, I sent my eldest off o school and took on a playdate for my youngest who starts school on monday. Then, while best mates played, I devoted my afternoon to updating my Etsy site. I also chased my husband to fix my website so that I can get back into it and update my showcases. So far, nothing is happening with the website dramas. At least I can rely on Etsy! Here are a few of my listings.

I Dream Of:: The Northern Beaches

Living in the Northern Beaches is a gift. Almost as precious as these two little gifts here. Every time I say, "lets go to the beach" they cry about how they don't want to leave the house, after dragging them to the beach, they cry about having to leave.

I believe that I would react the same way if my husband said we were packing up and leaving Australia. I really wasn't excited about moving to Sydney. But, it is days like these with my boys around me playing, getting all this fresh air and sunshine and the Pacific Ocean displaying colors of Aqua and Turquoise against the Coral beaches that I think "I love it here." Knowing that my beloved San Francisco is across the sea is just a comfort. Although, I kicked and cried about having to leave the city and people I loved, I will kick and scream just as hard if I ever had to leave my new home. Is it possible to have your heart in two cities?

My boys climbing the rock at Whale Beach. The surgery went well and my little guy has been a trouper this summer wearing this hot head gear every time we are near sand or water.

It isn't the best photo, these were taken with my iPhone... But I love the rocks at Whalely. The whales come up against the rocks just past this point to give themselves back rubs!! haven't seen it yet...

I Dream Of:: Fresh Ideas

Unfortunately, my necklaces are on hold as I am waiting for the shipment of findings. So here are some lovely little things to look at that I did create...

This is the last necklace I created before my supplies ran out. I just love the neutral colors and the feel. The pendant is Serpentine with Yellow and Green Jade, Labradorite and Sterling Silver Chain.

I just love these bookmarks. They add style to any book and are a pleasure to use. Each bookmark is finished with a Stone charm, Sterling Silver and Tassel. Function and Form!

I Dream Of:: a line of sweet clusters

Today I started working on my new line of necklaces. I really enjoyed the necklace I sold this christmas and thought designing a few more would be fun.

As I woke up this morning I started taking down my christmas decorations and putting together colors and ideas. Yes, it is a bit bizarre to take down christmas decorations and create something at the same time. But De-decorating makes me sad and creating makes me happy ....

These are a few clusters that I came up with this morning. I also have a wedding order coming in July. Do you think she will love the pearl cluster? Imagine that on a white organza ribbon... Devine