Obsessed!

Well it has been an interesting year on lots of fronts...

My husband and I are both out of work at the moment, which is somewhat strange. Apart from the obvious, having another person in your 'routine' can be a challenging time! I have to take a big chill pill at the moment and remember to go with the flow Joe! My daughter Poppy is loving it though, "I like it that you work from home now Daddy!".....

So "little luv" has been getting a whole lot more love, which I am loving! Even with a little budget, I am still finding it impossible to stay away from my favourite op shops.

Today's find? This beautiful little beauty, I think I will call her Hope.

In case you are wondering about my little collaborative project called "wanderings" - sneaky peakys will be popping up over the next couple of weeks, and then on show at my Winter "Pop the Card Table" on the verandah on 2 June. Stay tuned.

It's time to have some FUN!

Nonite x

Lest We Forget

I always think of my dear grandparents on Anzac Day.

I was very lucky to have all four when I was still in my late 20's. Pop (Dad's dad) was in the war - I believe as a tailor which was his trade.

Time to stop talking about it... I "will" start writing down our family history - starting on Monday which is my daughter's 4th birthday when mum and dad will be down from the country.

Yesterday I went op shopping, one of my absolute pet loves. I love the fact that I am also giving to charity when I am shopping for treasures.

I found this beautiful vintage frame with the picture of this sweet girl still inside. I opened the frame this morning, and the only thing on the back was "November 1943". Who is she?

She is such a little luv.

My other pet love is photography. I love the old days of film, I wonder what sort of camera was used to take this beautiful photo?

So many questions... Where are the answers?

Have a wonderful day, and lets start asking as many questions as four year old children do!!! We must keep these memories alive for other little luvs.

Mardi x

Riding around on my push bike honey

I've had a few customers ask me recently about a little bike sitting in my front yard. Is he for sale?

I then had a friend ask if she could please photograph my vintage bikes as part of her photographic studies.

Got me thinking, I think I have a bike problem!

It started with this little red and yellow trike. I have had her for about 20 years. For once I can't even remember where I got her, which is unusual for me! Usually when I buy vintage goodies, I can always recollect where they came from.

Who doesn't like bikes - especially ones that have been around the block more than a few times!

Nonite x

The Farm

I'm still struggling with writing a blog - funny one.

We had a lovely day today. We were supposed to go up to The Clare and stay the night in Tub (our vintage 70's caravan) or tincan as my husband lovingly calls it....

It was drizzly and cold and we were all tired and grumpy so we canned the idea and stayed home instead.

We ended up in the Adelaide Hills, munching on pizza and trawling through the antique shops, love!

My daughter tonight was still a bit grizzly and asked me to tell her a story - it actually shocked me when I thought about it - it is the first time I have told her a "story" - not read from a book.

I told her about "Nanny" and how she grew up on a farm. Nanny rode her horse to school - that got a huge laugh! Nanny used to drive the tractor - another laugh. Nanny has two dogs - oh how lucky was Nanny!

I got a bit teary when I left the room, remembering my own "Nanny and Pop" (Mum's mum and dad) and the beautiful memories I hold close of my holiday adventures on their farm in the Clare Valley. Such special memories. Has made me really think.... I must talk to mum NOW about more of her memories, so I can tell Poppy more wonderful stories....

And if you are wondering about the pic? It is a swan that used to sit in the garden at the farm. Now proudly by the back door of my brother's shack!

Nonite xx

Famous Friends

I was very excited this arvo.

An old friend messaged me and asked if I would do a special custom order for her. A little luv birdy mobile. Sure I said.

She said her friends have had a baby. Sure I said.

She told me who it was for. Sure I said.

Then I stopped. Oh dear - they are famous!

Silly how we go into melt down mode when doing something for someone who is "famous"! It's crazy really, they are just like anyone else. A gorgeous couple with a beautiful new baby.

Better get out the old Janome. I'm excited - and nervous!

Nonite xx

Picture Wonderland

I must admit I am finding this blogging thing a bit hard!

I know there are others out there too who are having a bit of blogging block, what it is all about? I've decided to blog about stuff, not just little luv stuff but stuff. Oh stuff it I said!

Anyway, tonight I just thought I would write a little bit about some things that keep popping into my head this week.

I had a lovely visit from a new friend of mine this arvo, who has travelled extensively in the past. I have a bit too, and love hearing travel stories! It is amazing how your mind suddenly wanders, and you think about past trips, past loves...

I love travel. Full stop. I love everything about it. I love experiencing the new. Tasting the new. Smelling the new. Seeing the new. Immersing myself in the new. Sometimes travel is bloody hard work, but that makes it so incredible.

Many people don't know that I have had a book published. It was many moons ago now, and was in conjunction with a photographer friend who lives in London. I worked in the Australian wine industry at the time, and it is a coffee-table book of a collection of his photos.

I love photography. Full stop. Oh yes. It has really hit me recently that I really love it. Love taking pics. Love seeing other people's pics, especially people I know personally. I would have loved those 'slide nights' that were popular in the 70's! The perfect guest!

Here is a little collection of pics I found tonight in my own personal album. Watch this space. A project is brewing - and I'm feeling excited...!

Memories

Blogging is an interesting thing. Not sure yet if I love it or not, think it will grow on me. I will keep at it, just hope what I write doesn't get too boring!

I polished up my recently purchased little dragster, Chasin Rainbows on Saturday morning. My little girl was at her grandparents in the Barossa Valley for a holiday and hubby was making tomato relish - as you do....

I sat out on the lawn scrubbing and rubbing like an excited five year old with their first bike. I felt like a kid again, I love that feeling. The freedom.

Memories.

Little luv gives me the creative outlet I have yearned for so long. It really took having my own little luv (who was a 5 year miracle in the making) to kick start me into giving it all a go.

What do I love about little luv? That I put my memories into the making. I love it when a customer tells me they "grew up with those curtains", or "slept on those sheets". To use these beautiful vintage fabrics, giving them life again in little creations, gives me great joy. That is why I do it.

Thanks for listening! x

Mid Life Crisis?

I was born in 1969...

I bought vintage disco roller skates last week...

I bought a vintage kids dragster bike last night...

I signed up for the Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation program this month...

Am I happy - yes!

Nonite x

Spooky Shopping

The closest I got to sewing today was washing some vintage fabric at 7am and ironing it at 7pm!

My husband went interstate this morning and I dropped Poppy at childcare. Mmm, just one op shop before getting home I thought. Well as usual the excitement got the better of me, and I got home at 4pm... This is what the inside of the car looked like...

I seriously could not have jammed another vintage treasure in...

I love how vintage treasures evoke memories... I get so excited when a customer spots a vintage fabric that was part of their childhood, like a pillowcase or a set of sheets. On that note, I have decided from this day forward that little luv products will only be made using vintage fabric and buttons. I love all the new fabrics, but I feel more passion sewing pre-loved fabrics. Stay tuned then for a little new fabric sale!

Back to my other love.... I found a lot of goodies today for my other little business Foundabout. It was a really spooky day because I would walk into a shop and think 'I'd love to find a....' - turn around and there it was. This happened 5 times, seriously! The other spooky thing was being chatted up by a regular customer in a new retro shop I stumbled across. That was funny!

Okay, my favourite purchase of the day - for ME? Yes, believe it or not... Disco Fashion Roller Skates. Fit like a glove...

And yes, I popped them on when I got home, much to Poppy and my amusement - a precious moment! I wobbled up and down the path, feeling like I was ten again. Couldn't wait to tell my mum!

Oh, the other little bargain, a Diane vonFurstenberg 100% cashmere long cream cardigan for five bucks!

Nonite! xx

Blogging - for beginners

Okay, okay. Take two.....

I was bouncing ideas around tonight with my husband Paul, focussing on business, brands, marketing etc etc etc. We had a few insights, which was bright!

So... Without going into it all, I have decided to call my blog little luv. Why? Everyone knows me as little luv. Little luv is an established brand. People follow little luv. I luv little luv! Share the luv!? Okay, going a bit far.

So, ignore the other blog I created - this is the ONE.

I promise not to be boring....

I've had LOTS of insights this week.... Mmm, what is going on. Life is interesting.

I have set up a new 'space' at home - in our old bedroom. On my desk I set up part of a vintage scrabble set - the first word that came to mind? Courage.

Yes, courage is an interesting word. Life takes courage.

What else is sitting on my new little letter holder? A picture of my brother and I with mum on a caravaning holiday - one of my favourite pics. A rock I picked up on the last leg of my trek in Nepal. A dice the lovely man at the Salvos let me have last week, the Statue of Liberty from my little New York city and a picture of my daughter, Poppy Grace. Taken on our first holiday up to the Gold Coast - with new sunnies of course.

Dedicating tomorrow to sewing up a storm, looking forward to it. Has been a long time since I have spent a full day sewing and creating. Luving all my hoarded vintage fabrics, they must hold so many stories...

Until next time, thanks for listening! x