THE GUMNUTS from Australia and Other Cute Book

On Friday, September 3, 1993 we went shopping at the QVB after having checked in at the Hilton Sydney, see post below.

Both of us instantly fell in love with the cute GUMNUTS at one of the stores.

So this cute book about Ten Little Gumnuts by author illustrator May Gibbs, came home with us!

Special wrapping paper with GUMNUTS
Author May Gibbs did a lot of good:

Author May Gibbs helping New South Wales Society for Crippled Children (1929-1995) click it

We further purchased:

Sam Vole and his Brothers by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth

Don't think the ones residing in our yard were/are THAT CUTE!

They ATE our tulip bulbs and more...!!!

These are not MOLES but VOLES!

Loved that there were even Mushrooms on the back of its cover... showing that they loved our profession!

Sam Vole wants to go voling all by himself. But wherever he goes, his brothers, Arthur and Henry go too!

Makes for Sweet Story Telling for some Sweet Kids!!!

Related link:
From Hong Kong to Sydney, Australia | previous post by me with shopping at the QVB
Sydney - Vivid Lights Festival at the Botanic Gardens - day 2 PM | post by blogger friend Sami about Snugglepot and Cuddlepot, the May Gibbs' book characters published in 1918

Pieter's Favorite Lambskin Leather Jacket Made New Again...

Feeling quite proud for having tackled this task!

Pieter's favorite soft and supple lambskin jacket that he got from Pond's India from their upscale Leather Garments Factory.

Pieter patting a Wallaby in Healesville Sanctuary, Australia on September 27, 1992
Probably the photo with the most NEW lambskin jacket... as he got it in February of 1992.

This is taken at The Spa at Norwich Inn on April 20, 1997 when we did consulting work and stayed at one of their Villas.

This is taken on February 9, 2002 when we were on the bus to Beatle Mania!

Over the years, the upper part in the back got faded and also on one shoulder...

With black leather dye I did touch it up... from LeatherNu click it

For quite some days I had to wait for finally being able to make a photo with good light!
This got taken on January 5.

The back side... this photo is not lightened or whatever.

Perfect for wearing end of January together with Pieter's wool Fedora hat...

Yes, we both have one, mine got ordered here in the USA.
Wearing it with my black Escada jeans and scarf with my rib cord newsboy cap...

Related posts:
Visiting Healesville Sanctuary in VIC, Australia | previous post by me
Darling Harbour Cruise in Sydney for Surprise Birthday Party | previous post by me

Sister Diny's Rabbit LOVED my Saddlebag from The Bridge Italy

After having been to the Congress in Hong Kong, we continued traveling to Australia for another Congress in Sydney.

Next we flew to Melbourne for a weekend at the Grand Hyatt, using our points.
On Saturday, September 4, 1993 we went to an Italian shop, run by an Italian so I was happy being able to chat with her. In the window we'd already eyed a beautiful tan Saddlebag from The Bridge, Italy.

Now I became its happy owner!

Loved the lock and the stitching around the cording.

So did my sister Diny's pet-rabbit, as it managed to chew a hole in it, while we were visiting her on September 18, 1994... 🐇

Screenshot from video taken at the Gardens of the Alhambra in Spain, with the saddlebag.

We had visited Diny prior to that vacation by bus via France, into Spain and Portugal.

April 20, 1997 at The Spa at Norwich Inn in Connecticut where we stayed at one of their villas during our consulting work.
Wearing my saddlebag (left in picture).

The Spa at Norwich Inn where we stayed in a Villa... click it

From there, we also drove to Logee's for some unique plants

No, I have NO pictures of that favorite bag before the rabbit took a BITE... 🐇

Yep, the Rabbit took a bite right on the leather piping... 🐇

The Bridge Pellettieri in Firenze, Italy

For 1993 pricing Australian $ 119.00

But what to do about the HOLE?

Found THIS: LeatherNu and ordered it... just click link

Well, I have had it for almost 2 years sitting here before using it 'ONE DAY'

Finally I DID!

Starting out with the Leather Repair Compound...

On New Year's Day, I had filled in the RABBIT HOLE for the first time and let it cure... 🐇

On January 6, the RABBIT HOLE looking like this... 🐇

Hitting BINGO with the matching color brown already inside this package and applying a few coats of leather dye.

Got these sponges to apply the dye from the tiny bottle...

Next a few coats with the Clear Leather Sealer...

Result was GOOD! 

And this, after all those years...

Wore my Saddlebag to Church on my Angel Sister's 70th Birthday and feeling happy with it.

Poor Rabbit is long over the Rainbow Bridge... 🐇
It matches well with my Escada jeans and coat.

But I still LOVE my Saddlebag from The Bridge with quite a story attached to it, adventures covering three continents!

Being made in Italy, sold in Australia, taken home to the U.S.A., being bitten in The Netherlands and finally restored in the U.S.A.

Matching also nicely my suede/leather boots from Italy, purchased in 1989 when we lived and worked there. 

Related links:
Our Weekend at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne Regency Club | previous post by me
From Hong Kong to Sydney, Australia | previous post by me