Friday, November 12, 2010

Bring on 2011

Good bye my acreage - Fab Frau's guestroom. I'll miss the views.

It’s been a while since Fab Frau popped by blogland – cough, cough (okay, coughing fit!) and the reason is because of many, many changes in my life this year – not least of which is that I’m leaving the ‘Aussie Bush’ – to move seven minutes down the road to the ‘Semi-Aussie Bush’. Big changes – leaving acreage for a large ‘semi bush’ block in ‘town’ – and other than the land issue leaving behind a roof line covering 44 square metres including a 12 square veranda to a more modest size cottage is rather exciting – especially after recent (read – exhausting!!) efforts of keeping 32 square metres of flooring shiny and clean while my house was on the market. (And de-cluttering numerous Fab Frau treasures!) The truth is I’m being quite the martyr (and nobody likes a martyr – not even the martyr *grin*) because the house sold after being opened for only four consecutive days. Yay!

Amazingly I sold my house one weekend and the following weekend I bought another. Thank you for listening to me Universe *grin*. The new house is much more in keeping with Fabulous Frau’s taste – ten foot ceilings, ceiling roses, cornice covered with roses, stained glass, dado walls, a couple of gorgeous fire places, slate floors and lots more. Don’t worry though, it’s not all girly, girly – also a fabulous space for the teenage male of the house – not least of which is a super teenage retreat, complete with its own pot belly stove – and very happily for me is the outside separate laundry, complete with its own toilet where I’ll hang a very big welcome sign for visiting teenage entourages.

I’m very excited because I’ll have some super work space – even a separate office area from my studio which I’m hoping will lessen my incoming email distraction problem. Mmmmm, we’ll see. I’ll be sharing plenty of pics as we settle in. I’ll be sure to share my progress as I personally adore having a peek at other people’s studios and work rooms. I have heaps of plans for a fab re-launch of Fab Frau – focusing on vintage, boho, retro and quirky bags, accessories and more that will be of course vintage and pre-loved as well as some fab complementary new pieces and lots of handmade from my gorgeous new studio.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I’ll be back soon – yeah .... really! LOL

Ciao for now.

Suzy ;)

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Suzy's kids!

Hi All,

It's been a while so I thought I'd make my return with some photos of the 'kids' - always a crowd pleaser ;) The first pic (all from the trusty iPhone) is one my son Nick took of our wonderful family member Hans who just loves, loves, LOVES riding in the car - well, hanging his head out of it *grin*




Just melts a Mummy Bear's heart to come back to this view (sorry Nick!)

Ciao, lovely people.

Suzy xx

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Happy Easter


Wishing everyone a very happy and safe Easter -
and lots of luck at the Easter egg hunt tomorrow.

Suzy ;)

Sunday, March 28, 2010

A smiling schnauzer and his teddy bear


I thought I'd start the week off on a bright note with a of picture of my little dog - he's bigger now and he still loves his 'teddy'. He takes him out in the garden for a play most days and will fetch him in when asked - with a treat bribe - but we are not encouraged to touch teddy! Very, very gorgeous.

This is Hans when he was a little puppy in his 'crib'. I've got a wonderful book on dog training - followed all the tips except for one and that was to have his bed on newspaper so I'd hear him in the night when he got up - that lasted for two nights with no sleep (for me!) - hence his posh box. It's so funny seeing this pic with so much spare room in his little bed because now he has to curl up like a cat to fit into it - or lay luxuriously stretched hanging over the ends. He's a spoiled little dog because he's also got a big mattress for stretching out times - and a little couch!

I'll share some comparison pics soon.



Have a lovely week.

Cheers,


Suzy ;)

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Sweet 16 - and Terminal Cool!





Shocking news - I'm going to share with you today dear blog readers that I am a mother to a 16 year old! I know - it's soo hard to believe - being as youthful and gorgeous as I am ... just ask my son .... if he really wants something badly enough he has to say 'Please, darling gorgeous, sexy mum!' ..... and like he means it! Well, as you maybe can imagine that's not strictly true but it's a fond memory of ours from his primary school years when my girlfriend and I spent some time behind the canteen /tuck shop counter and these were the magic words required by our own children (not the rest of the school population!) to get an extra treat of an icy pole or some such. At the time they thought it was hilarious - now as I'm sure you can easily picture this fond memory conjures an eye roll..... mind you when something is desperately wanted he rolls out a version of this suck up - and of course it works *fluttery eye blinking, grin*

Now I just threaten him that I'll show up at high school in a bright pink, voluminous frock with my hair in a pair of pig tails - or bunches as we used to call them in the olden days.... I am scary, I say with pride, because I have been known for my consistency in child rearing matters .... also I'm usually very cool in that I don't space invade him with his friends .... I've made that a personal mission as I still have my nervous twitches from my own childhood - picture this, my loud and colourful German, bald father wanted to come to the teenage disco and step in and 'tap my foot for a while' .... so that's another family joke around here! Needless to say there are some devastating holes in my childhood experiences because there was no way I was going to attend with that hook! Mind you - that was probably the desired result at the time - and I've just realised something else shocking - my father followed through in these matters too! Oh, no! I'm a bit of a chip off the old block after all! (I think I should re-title this blog piece as the Ridiculous quantity of exclamation marks in one blog!! ... or Suzy's needs a shrink!)

Anyhoo... the point of this blog was to show off my cake making skills and the use of a family heirloom - not vintage just yet but will be one day .... the little plastic train candle holder on the cake. I bought that for my son's first birthday and I used it on his second and third and fourth birthday. For his fifth birthday I lashed out and spent a fortune on a massive, professionally baked Thomas the Tank Engine cake - and he was crushed because all he wanted was his little plastic train. Well, it's been sitting in the party box for years so I dragged it out this year as the birthday candle blowing ceremony was participated only by our immediate family - so I didn't embarrass him in front of his friends - just blogged about it instead *grin*

Naturally I let the icing on the cake drip over the edge on purpose - just to give it that authentic, Fabulous Frau/Mummy Bear lovin' from the oven, home made look... plus this chocolate icing is sooo yum - matches the cake.....


And this pantry picture is a special one for my lovely Witchy friend Susan at the Witch and the Wardrobe because in the past she has despaired at the state of my pantry - now my pantry can sit proudly, having jumped right out of the closet for all to see .... and amazingly I've done it right because it's stayed this way for ages. Don't you vintage girls just love the little ceramic pot next to the spice racks? This is special to me because my mother-in-law gave it to me years ago - I think it was her mother's - and I've always loved it. For years and years I've kept food die and some other little bottles inside but as it was made in Japan and looking at the gorgeous cane handle I wonder if it was meant to be serve rice? Probably.
And to close, this is where my little boy ended up - Terminally Cool! That was a phrase I used to bandy around in my past life behind the scenes in television as some of the film crews strutted around - usually dressed like the were headed out to round up some cattle - same, same some cynics might say - they were great fun. I love this pic so much I made them into cards and magnets which you can check out at my website in my cards and stationery department.

Thanks for visiting - cheers, Suzy ;)

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

An Echidna, a mini-schnauzer and the bush night sky






I've gotten into the habit of an evening stroll down the back of our acreage with Hans, my one year old mini-schnauzer and the other night I saw an animal scurrying in the bush and I wasn't sure if it was a wombat or an echidna.

I found an echinda and I was very excited, haven't seen one here since around the middle of last year and that was close by outside our bedroom in the garden bed.

Hans and I ran back to the house .... well, okay 'cantered' and grabbed the camera. I was thrilled to find the little fella hadn't moved far but unfortunately he had no intention of showing his face. But nonetheless here is a pic of a real, live echnida in my backyard - mind you only just because it was a couple of metres from the fence line.

I've included a couple of shots of the night sky - so beautiful and I'm grateful to have taken them - but I'm cross at myself at the same time because the light was pink and divine 10 mins before - the time it took me to get my camera!

I've also included a couple of shots of the same pic because I've edited one of them to make the contrast stronger to show you the kookaburra sitting on the 'old fence post' - he was there when I ran past to grab the camera and still there staring at me when I returned so I had to try - even in the failing light.

Just a quickie to share with you lovely people!

Suzy ;)

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Witchy Woman, Fabulous Woman!


I've been feeling rather 'Witchy' lately - and that word begins with a 'W' not a 'B'!!! *grin*

Stepping out the front door last night I realised why - how is this for a view?
I was spell bound (hee-hee!)





I was playing with the settings on my SLR camera - in the dark - so it was pot luck in the photography stakes ... isn't this a spooky shot?

The kookaburras were laughing very loudly - I came inside and grabbed my mobile to try and record them - and they promptly shut up! Cheeky things. I did get some but I haven't tried to down load it - I need to get my IT expert in - my almost 16 year old son - when he's got a free moment - LOL.

It's not very spooky here in the daylight on a Sunday, just nervous making because it's a stink hot day and we've got lots of wind making for an apprehensive Fabulous Frau in the Aussie Bush!

Thanks for popping by my Fabulous Blogger Friends.

Cheers,
Suzy ;)

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Love is in the bush ....

How do you like this little musical sweety? A gorgeous hanging heart I made using vintage music sheets - for the record my music loving son was mortified that I used the orginal copy!


I've photographed my heart on our deck amongst the bush - I just love the light and the pale green of the leaves seems to compliment lots of different items.
Too easy to step outside and snap.

A bit of a mixture - not unlike it's creator *grin* - vintage music, vintage trim, plastic bling and gorgeous old pictures all attached to a cardboard heart hanging from a pretty ribbon - made and photographed in the bush!

Have a lovely day.

Suzy ;)

Love is in the air as Valentine's Day approaches ...


Wild Love, handmade by Fabulous Frau is ready for Valentine's Day!

How do you like my sexy bouquet for the Wild Valentine?

Made with fabric and edged with unused vintage trim from my ab fab ragtrade warehouse hall, complete with a matching 'vase'.

I'm also selling single hearts (no pun intended!) and some can even have their own personal message stamped on with some luscious red stamping ink and some gorgeous lettering!

Fun love ;)

Thanks for stopping by and please visit Fabulous Frau and join my Facebook page - \I'm planning on sharing some goodies soon!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Hans the Mini Schnauzer - Pictures of the Week

I began tidying up my digital pictures when I got completely sidetracked (ahem... moi?!) looking at my puppy's pictures so I thought I'd share some, perhaps on a weekly basis. This gorgeous first pic is the 'before' ....


...and this gorgeous second pic is the after .... after several months growth, after a very big haircut, after a sleep.....

I'm being a stage mother here (*grin* I actually detest those people in real life with a behind the scenes media career behind me!!) ... and I'm tickling the poor guys chin and shoving a big camera and flash in his face.... but I think he's very cute and good for a smile.

He's had a pretty good evening as we've taken a walk around the acreage and he's woofed hello at the ponies and the baby miniature pony has started coming closer and closer to him - I'll try and get a shot of that soon. He had a good sniff around the kangaroo trails and was very excited when I trimmed a few branches of some of the big bushes in our driveway ... poor husband has had to risk his lovely new car being touched and scratched.

Anyway, just a little quickie to share a smile ...

Cheers all, and thanks for visiting!

Suzy ;)

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Vintage Style Boudoir Pretty Shoe Tree


Pretty in pink! I made these lovelies from brand new shoe trees so they can be used to fulfil their role or as a pretty something in one's boudoir.

A little lovely something to keep one's shoes in shape and a pretty travel shoe bag to match.



How pretty is the bead on the ribbon drawstring? .... I love playing with my stash to make something different. The gorgeous fabric of the bag and the trim I've attached to the shoe trees/stretchers are unused vintage goodies from my haul at a ragtrade warehouse sale - a closing down sale and never sold to the public before. I got rather carried away with my purchases.... as I'm sure my fellow fabric addicts can relate to.... I bought a bolt of the pretty pink, another bolt of a different pattern in a pale blue and a big card of the most divine cotton lace ... I've been a bit scared to cut the lace but I'll try and be brave soon! And lots (and lots!) of other trim including a card of the gorgeous stuff you see here.



I thought I'd show a little something of my work instead of my play for a change ...
although the truth is this is playing!

I'm working on my website to load it up with treasures and I'd love you to visit - also please check out my fan page at Facebook that I think I've finally learned to drive! *grin*

I'll be back soon to show you some of my fun Valentine's Day projects!

Thanks so much for visiting,
Suzy ;)

Monday, January 25, 2010

Basket Weaving and High Tea in a Tee Pee

I'm pretty sure I'm safe in saying that I spent my Sunday afternoon differently from most people .... bit cocky? Sounds that way but hear me out ... I had afternoon tea, drinking from fine china cups and saucers, eating beautiful cake and Anzac biscuits (well it is Australia Day weekend and all *grin*) - in a real Tee Pee - in Australia - oh, and to top it off we were basket weaving!

We didn't send any smoke signals, the dried smoking sage leaves couldn't make it up to the ceiling to escape! Now you proper ladies don't have to freak out about burning sage leaves - they smell so beautiful, kind of like a walk in the forest, not heavy like many incense scents. It's my second time of experiencing the scent and I love it. It creates a peaceful yet alert feeling in me - very nice. No chanting was involved but lots of pearls of wisdom espoused by a small bunch of lovely women, if I do say so myself, amidst the ambience of crystals sitting alongside our afternoon tea.

The lovely lady on the right of the picture is Ruth, my friend and meditation teacher and fellow yoga classmate. Her home is a cottage of wonderful treasures accessed via a rambling path overgrown with herbs - it's a very lovely space to visit. A wonderful collection of artwork too. The Anzac biscuits otherwise known as Oaty Crisps were very well received which made me feel nice because I'd whipped up a batch in the morning from my wonderful cookbook Destitute Gourmet - click the link to find the fantastic Sophie Gray with divine recipe books in New Zealand - you can also buy it online in Australia. The biscuits are sitting on my pretty Royal Albert Moonlight Roses sandwich plate that my darling husband gave me for one of our anniversaries. He's been adding to my collection over the years.

Hiding behind the growing collection of woven leaves - which we added to during the afternoon is a lovely lady called Tess and on the left is her daughter Brooke. Very nice company! Shame my impromptu photography was not so fabulous - but better than none (well, that's what I tell myself anyway *grin*) and sadly I didn't do a close up of the leaves we were making. We were sewing raffia and grass not actually making a basket but using the same techniques - I got so carried away with the conversation that my leaf was rather oval so it was fun to learn a trick or two to change the shape. These leaves are very special and many have been made during community workshops and have been displayed at some local events and will again be displayed as a special remembrance for those affected by the Black Saturday bushfires.



Sorry my pictures aren't the best quality - how very silly of me to go to a Tee Pee Tea Party and not take my camera! I used my phone. Look at the detail of how the Tee Pee is closed from the outside. The light inside was very beautiful and as the afternoon progressed you could see the patterns from the shadows of the leaves from nearby tress on the walls. It's a very special space, not stuffy at all, just wonderful on a beautiful afternoon.




On the way out Ruth told me to make a wish because legend has it that leaving a Tee Pee is a little like leaving the womb and you can have a fresh start. I'm delighted to say it wasn't in the least a traumatic departure, just a happy smile and some Fabulous Frau thoughts!

May we all have a lovely fresh start this week with lots of good wishes for ourselves. I'll be busy listing away for Valentine's Day on my website with a little smile on my face thinking about my time in a Tee Pee!

Thanks so much for visiting,
Suzy ;)

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Baby Miniature Pony - now that's tiny

What a wonderful way to bring in the new year ... (okay, okay I know the calendar is almost on the February page!) .... meet the first born on our property since we've lived here (not including the hundreds of rabbits *grin*!)



And of course I couldn't put a picture up of a new baby animal without showing you my tough miniature schnauzer - and it's rather funny because miniature is not the animal requirement around here - just the way life happens sometimes. His name is Hans and he turned one on January 10 and is a very gorgeous dog! He's also tough. In between these photos loading I let him outside in his yard and there was a kangaroo as tall as I am (not hard *grin*) and he set off chasing it! I was so glad when it jumped the fence. I don't worry as much when Hans is off in the paddocks because the kangaroos can easily run but if they struggle to jump our fence they may feel threatened and attack him. This is the same little dog who has a teddy with one eye and no holes that he takes inside and out with him. Today he had a play date with the neighbours three dogs - what a hoot they all are. If my coffee had kicked in at the time of his depature I'd have taken a photo of the four of them running up our very long driveway to go visiting.


This gorgeous little boy foal is not owned by us but is presently living in one of our little sheds with his mummy, adjacent to a very large paddock with six other miniature ponies - all grown up and all female and one of them 'with foal' so more pics will be coming hopefully. In another paddock we have Felix a gorgeous little man who was very busy servicing these ladies. (You can see pics of the other girls and Felix in a previous blog 'The Pony Cafe')

He looks like a toy I've seen in the shops!

It's been a busy few weeks with school holidays and other things going on and I'm gently starting my working year organising my stock room which is at bursting point! I've got some fantastic things coming and I'm very excited. I've been busy listing exciting things like school books on my ebay store as well as some fab pieces of clothing - Fabulous Frau is having a big clean out!

I've got some gorgeous vintage treasures coming for my website and I'll share them all soon.

I've also been making some gorgeous wristlets which will be appearing on my website soon.


This post is to wish you happy new year and thank you very much for visiting.

I've also been working on my 'page' on Facebook and I'd love to invite you to join as a fan and I'll keep you uptodate with my treasures and more!

Happy January from Suzy aka Fabulous Frau ;)