mondo-ing in Melbourne...

One of the things that I have been really missing since my move to Melbourne 3 weeks ago is being able to work alongside Clare and Mum. When Mum (Sue) first moved to Dubai a couple of years ago, we had to work out how she would work remotely, and we managed that quite well. When I announced my move to Melbourne, we wondered how we would deal with the extra challenge of being in three different places. So far, so good! I have set up a work area at one end of the kid's playroom, and the familiarity of cutting and stitching is helping to make me feel at home. I am, however, really missing having company while working - we have always kept up a constant chat while mondo-ing, and the cups of coffee aren't so enjoyable when you are on your own. We come up with most of our new work while bouncing ideas off each other ... the phone companies are going to make a huge profit from us this financial year!!!

a proposal...

We are totally over the moon that our brother (Clare and Joy's) and son (Sue's) has proposed to his gorgeous girlfriend, with a wedding on the cards later this year. Congratulations Mark and Briohny... we promise to keep our noses out of all the preparations... well, we promise to try anyway!

The thought of another wedding in the family has had us thinking about our own weddings and the things we would do again (same husbands!) and the things we would change (our hairstyles for a start.) We could spend hours browsing through Snippet and Ink and some of the other beautiful wedding blogs for the inspiration and eye candy they provide, and wish they had been around for ideas when we got married. Would you orgainse your wedding the same way if you could do it all again now?

ribbon covered bangles...

Finding some $2 wooden bangles in a craft shop this morning, I thought I would have a go transforming them into something more interesting and original. I tried simply wrapping them with ribbon, but didn't think they looked quite different enough, so then I experimented with adding some knots. This is what I came up with. I probably should have painted them first so that the wood didn't show through, but I was far too impatient to see a finished result! You could of course use any old bangles you might have lying around and because you don't need any glue (I did a final knot and then tucked the end in), you can just unravel it if you need a change.

Don't think I am ever going to give up my day job and become a hand model! There is never enough time to paint my nails...

a reservation for Clare, please...

Joy has been sending me some photos of her new house as she has been settling in (via her phone as her computer has finally gone to the Dell graveyard after putting up a brave fight for many months!) One of my favourite photos is this one of her guest room. Joy says that it still needs a rug and some more artwork, but the beautiful blue and pink colour scheme looks very welcoming to me and I can't wait to book a flight down!

from the perspective of a 4 year old...

Joy's son Harvey turned 4 years old today, and he just keeps on getting more and more gorgeous. He is a wise little chappie, always asking questions and trying to figure out how things work. Here are a few of his recent sayings which made us laugh...

After learning that he would soon be attending Kindergarton..

"Mummy, I don't want to go to Kindy. I just want to follow you around for the rest of my life."

Upon seeing a sky-writing plane...

"Mum, Mum, come quick. God is writing us a letter in the sky."

After seeing Santa at the shopping centre...

"Mummy, did you know that Santa is even cooler than Daddy?"

"Mummy, can we make a milkshake now? You said we could make one later and now the time is half past later."

Pointing to his ribs...

"See these? These are my tickly ribbons."

Playing on his pretend computer...

"Sorry Mummy, I am just busy writing the blog."

Happy Birthday, Harvey!

new blossom colours...

Over the last couple of weeks we have been adding a few different colours to our 3-d blossom range of artworks. There is a beautiful deep blue, a pretty lilac pink and a bright and sunny yellow to add to the black, white and red which have proved very popular. Each blossom is made of different sized hearts which we individually cut (with scissors - no cutters or stamps here at mondocherry!) until we feel a bit cross eyed!

Contact us if you are interested in these artworks as they are not yet listed in our web shop as we are busy giving it a total overhaul. We are also happy to make these 3-d blossoms in other colours too, just send us a message.

almost finished unpacking...

Hello from Melbourne! Here is a photo of me putting my feet up for a few minutes after unpacking what felt like endless boxes. After being used to wandering around the house bare foot in Brisbane, I am getting used to wearing slippers around the house in the cool autumn temperatures. Now the end of our unpacking is in sight, I am starting to think about exploring some of the fabulous shops and cafes that Melbourne is renowned for. Do you have any favourite places you think I should visit?

Stay tuned for pictures of the new (rental) house - it is very different from what I have been used to!

Jean and Joyce & Buba and La....

We would love to keep these two shops our secret, but they are both so gorgeous, we thought you would like to visit them too. A couple of doors apart on Latrobe Tce, Paddington, they both set up shop late last year and are a fantastic additon to the area.

First stop is Jean and Joyce...

Jean and Joyce is so full of gorgeous homewares and stylish clothes and accessories that it is almost impossible to leave without taking something home with you. Run by a mother and daughter team, who are always welcoming, Jean and Joyce is the perfect place for a gift (Joy bought my Birthday and Christmas presents here last year!) or just to treat yourself. You might even spy a few mondocherry artworks on the walls! We currently have our eye on the beautiful bottles with bird stoppers in front of the blue vase in the photo below!

Walk a few metres up the road and you come to Buba and La...

Another family business, Buba and La is where we pop in regularly to feed our Bungalow cushion obsession! They have a lovely coffee area where we have succumbed to their delicious cup cakes, and a safe kiddies area so you can browse their range of stunning home accessories in peace! I am currently popping in every now and then for a handful of the beautiful shells seen below to add to my collection.

So next time you are in the Paddington area, don't give up on finding a parking space, because a visit to these shops will be well worth driving round the block a few times! And say "Hi" from us!

watch out Melbourne...

...here comes JJ!

Joy (JJ) and her family left today for their next adventure, a few years in Melbourne with a work transfer for Joy's husband. I am feeling very sad as we have spent such a lot of time together over the last few years, working, chatting, shopping and coffee drinking, and even though we are sisters we get on really well! I am also feeling a few twinges of jealousy as I love Melbourne (the shops, the day trips and yes, even the weather!) and know she will have a great time there.

mondocherry will still exist - we will just be creating from three different places; Joy in Melbourne, Sue (aka Susieq or Mum!) in Dubai, and me here in Brisbane. The plan is to share the blogging a bit more so you get the full cherry pie and not just my slice! We will also continue having our stall at the wonderful Boutique Markets, so come along this Sunday 11th when Sue (who is currently visiting) and I will be displaying some new work.

And if you are in Melbourne, watch out for Joy - she will be the one working out how to share the road with all those trams!

Easter eggs...

Wish I could take the credit for these beautiful eggs! I bought them from markets in Budapest and Prague during the time we lived in Hungary and having them out during Easter brings back lots of happy memories. Hope you are having a great Easter weekend.