Molto Piccolo

.for the newlyweds.

moltopiccolo — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:14:19 +0000

Paul and I went to a beautiful wedding just over a week ago, and I was happy to “have” to make a wedding card…it had been a while.

It’s amusing to me how I started with the intention of making it the same as the one below, which I made for a wedding some months ago, but it ended up hardly like it at all. I am really bad at repeating a design, even when I try to. That creative urge to do something just a little bit different always seems to take over…which usually takes me much longer than I have the time for!

Anybody else get distracted so easily once they start a creative process? I hope I’m not alone!

Ruth x

.scooter love.

moltopiccolo — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:45:42 +0000

Anybody else out there think scooters are fabulous? Ever since visiting the city of Athens in 2000, I have dreamed of one day owning a scooter. However, I would personally hate to drive one in the crazy traffic in Athens! I watched in fascination/horror as very brave moped drivers wound their way through intensely busy lanes of traffic. Then we visited some of the Greek Islands, and although the moped drivers didn’t have to contend with such crazy traffic there, they did have to navigate some perilous-looking cliff-edge roads. I can certainly imagine myself cruising on one in the not-so-crazy streets of Launceston. However, it’s not a very practical option for this point in my life, with two little people in tow. But a nice dream nether-the-less.

I took this photo of one I used to admire every time I went past The Mill Providore in Launceston, but sadly, it doesn’t reside there anymore.

But there are always cute scooter items available from handmade markets and stores, and Made It has a few on offer:

Scooter Clutch Purse by The Rabbit and the Duck

Scooter Retro Cushion by Henrietta and Morty

Mini Art Gift Cards by Red Elephant Creative

Vespa/Scooter T-shirt by Ruby & Sam

Scooter Coin Purse by Seventh Sphere

Hope you have a wonderfully carefree day.

Love Ruth x

.summer signposts.

moltopiccolo — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:47:36 +0000

Summer is definitely here in Tasmania…all the signs are around and today it’s going to be 30 degrees celcius in Launceston. I love summer and always look forward to all the wonderful things that say ‘summer’ to me. So here’s a visual collection from my own Pinterest Summer pinboard, just for fun:

A nice cool drink or four

(via Pinterest)

A relaxing spot in the sun with some girlfriends

(via Pinterest)

A deserted beach (Koh Rong, Cambodia, looks nice)

(via Pinterest)

A quiet spot by the pool

(via Pinterest)

Or a late night dip in the pool (on Santorini Island!)

(via Pinterest)

An innings or two of backyard cricket

(via Pinterest)

Followed by a run through the sprinkler

(via Pinterest)

A bucket-load of ice-cream and fruit!

(via Pinterest)

A romantic getaway…

(via Pinterest)

…in a pretty beach dress

(via Pinterest)

Daylight lasting long into the evening

(via Pinterest)

And finishing the days with amazing sunsets (thanks God)

(via Pinterest)

Here’s hoping you have a fantastic summer (if you are in the southern hemisphere!)

Love Ruth x

Welcome to 2012

moltopiccolo — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:28:09 +0000

Happy New Year! I hope yours has started out well!

I have not made official new year’s resolutions for many years, as they always seem so unlikely to be kept when you make them at a party with all your friends in a light-hearted conversation. However, I am always happy to take on board a little extra wisdom at the start of the year…well, anytime really. I saw this image on Pinterest via Kristine Schumacher’s pinboard, and loved the simple way this piece of wisdom is captured on a little scrap of paper. Then I noticed that the book of Proverbs has been spelt incorrectly, but I still like the image, so here it is:

I hope everything you do in the year ahead flows from a healthy and well-protected heart.

Love Ruth x

.some Christmas baking.

moltopiccolo — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:07:06 +0000

Feel up to some last minute Christmas baking?

Found this lovely looking Pear and Hazelnut Tart on Cannelle et Vanille via Molly Moo and would love to try it out sometime…

Or these tasty looking little Pear, Hazelnut and Brown Butter Cakes (also from Cannelle et Vanille):

Hope you are enjoying whatever festivities you are part of this time of year…our Christmas celebrations are not too crazy and therefore able to be enjoyed much more! Looking forward to sharing the day with our fantastic families on both sides. We also have friends visiting from interstate and overseas, and I love seeing them whatever time of year! And some of our family won’t be in Tasmania until mid-January, so the celebrations will continue then.

Sending you all much Christmas love!

Ruth x

.more Leo the Lionheart toys.

moltopiccolo — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:07:18 +0000

I have made a couple more Leo the Lionheart toys, in support of the Fogarty family, who I first mentioned a few weeks ago in this ‘Supporting Leo Fogarty’ blog post.

17-month-old Leo continues to undergo treatment for cancer in the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, and his family continue to be supported by friends and strangers alike.

All proceeds from the sale of Leo toys and other crafty items (found here: Leo the Lionheart Facebook page) go directly to the Fogarty family.

Sewing these has been a labour of love for me…I don’t own a sewing machine so when I get my hands on one, it’s a pretty slow and painful process! But felt, hand-sewing and me go pretty well together, so the faces have been easy. (: But I have loved making these because I somehow feel more helpful to a lovely family who I otherwise can’t help in their situation, (apart from praying for them a lot!)

Hope you’ve got lots to be thankful for today.

Ruth x

Bunting

moltopiccolo — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:03:24 +0000

I love bunting in all its shapes & forms, and I love it when it’s used on cards.

This card was for my aunt’s birthday recently, and even though she is in her early 70′s, I knew she would enjoy a bit of whimsy and prettiness. She loved the bunting.

I saw some great bunting Christmas decorations the other day at Squirrel and Dove on Invermay Road, using brown paper, vintage embellishments and tiny bells hanging off the bottom of each triangle. Should’ve taken a picture, but found one on the Squirrel and Dove Facebook Page: (This little store is worth a visit if you like vintage, pre-loved and handmade).

Hope you have a great day!

Ruth x

.owl egg cozy.

moltopiccolo — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:58:11 +0000

I made a gift recently of an owl egg cozy for a grown-up girl who loves owls, the colour red and handmade things. This owl has found a happy home, and will probably be enjoyed by my friend’s one year old daughter as well.

Ruth x

.delicious treats.

moltopiccolo — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:34:43 +0000

How good does this look?!

Coconut Panna Cotta with Fig Syrup – mmm!

The recipe and more images can be found on Inspiring the Everyday …I saw it via Oh The Lovely Things (via Teal and Tea).

As soon as I spot some figs, I am going to try this recipe, although you could make the syrup any flavour you like. But that little fig looks so good!

Love Ruth x

.supporting Leo Fogarty.

moltopiccolo — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:12:30 +0000

Hello! I’m pleased, but also a little surprised, to find that I still have a blog!! I thought perhaps it had closed itself down from neglect over the past month or so! Thankfully, I remembered my password, and can now return to a bit of craft blogging!

The most important crafting I’ve done in recent weeks is making some Leo the Lionheart soft toys and brooches. These toys are being sold to raise money and support for the Fogarty family, and in particular their 15 month old son Leo, who was diagnosed with cancer last month, and has relocated from Launceston to Melbourne with his parents, to undergo significant treatment. His story has touched many, many people. Both people who know them well and people who only know of them have come on board to help out in practical ways, such as making & selling Leo the Lionheart toys.

There is a Leo the Lionheart Facebook page here, where you can purchase an amazing and individual lion for $20, (or $30 for a special order Leo), and brooches for $8. There are also beanies, canvases and t-shirts, plus the occasional auction.

See this link for more info and background on how the project started, which was initiated by Pene Daniel. Both Leo’s parents and Pene are people that I know personally, and it is an honour to be part of a community of people who are doing whatever they can do to help.

If you are not on Facebook, but would like to buy a Leo the Lionheart, please contact penedaniel(at)hotmail.com [I do have an '@' sign on my keyboard, just don't want Pene to get any spam by me posting her email address here ]

God bless you, Leo!

Ruth x