Lady Bug Cat

Lady Bug Cat has moved........

2010-08-21T13:16:00.002+10:00

Hey were you looking for me?

Is that what you came to see?

This lady bug Cat

Has moved house

I am basking in the warm glow

Of a Raspberry Rainbow

At my house.....

2010-06-28T20:35:00.000+10:00

We have all been taking it in turns to get sick for the last two weeks. Not much fun. Almost all of us are better though. Yay!

Abbey has been helping to empty the dishwasher. We are encouraging her to help around the house, especially as she still thinks many chores are fun.

She left me some artfully arranged toast crusts.

We have been making cookie cutter sandwiches for lunch. Tastes better this way, I am told.

And her daddy makes the best mocha (for me) and baby cino for her. He puts his heart into it.

More over at Lou's house.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-09T15:16:00.006+10:00

Wordless Wednesday, more here.

Raspberry rainbow will be here very soon

2010-06-08T20:46:00.003+10:00

My new logo.

I LOVE it.

raspberry rainbow coming very, very soon.

At my house....

2010-06-07T14:13:00.005+10:00

Zoe has turned to booze. Actually, it was her first time exploring the fridge, and she loved it (the exploring, not the beer)

I had to take a photo of the nappy change table, as it is not very often I am so stocked up with clean, dry nappies.

I love it when this little face wakes up all smiley. She is such a happy soul.

And boy can she pull some funny faces too :)

I have a confession to make....

2010-06-03T13:22:00.011+10:00

I feel like a bad Auntie.

Well over a month ago, I bought this box of lego from my favourite local op shop, one day when I had Zoe under one arm, and a small bag of shopping in the other. It was the first thing I saw when I walked into the shop. All I thought at the time was "Oooo, lego, you can never have too much lego. And wow, 10 bucks only. Bargain" So yoink, I put the big box under my one arm. The kind man at the oppy sticky taped the box up for me, so no bits would fall out, and I carefully walked out to the car with Zoe on one hip, and the box of lego on the other.

I went home, put it down in a corner, and promptly forgot about it. Then Chris, Abbey and I all got sick. Then we realised that it was Richie's birthday, and we weren't very organised on the present front. Maybe he would like the box of lego? It is Star Wars lego, and he already has lots of that, so I am sure he will love it. OK, lets package it up and post over to England.

When I opened the box to package it up, I then realised how much lego was really in this set. It was huge. 985 pieces of huge.

Then I found out how much it would cost to post to England (just the lego, not the box it comes in) and I almost fainted. A small fortune.

This lego looked so new, they must still be making this one. OK, lovely inter-web, I am sure we can find the same thing on an English website, and get it shipped to him locally and cheaper than the price of the postage from Australia?

Wrong. It is not longer made. It is lego vintage 2004. This box of lego is now a collectors item.

So, what to do with a collectible box of lego? We will probably sell it. I will then donate some of the money from its sale to the local op shop. At the end of the day, our local op shops are here to raise money and support people in need.

2010-05-11T12:22:00.008+10:00

(Apart from thinking I had mastitis, which turned out to be a blocked milk duct - all OK now) I had a lovely Mother's Day.

Look at all the beautiful hand made goodies I received from Abbey. I am very lucky!

Seeing spots

2010-05-08T12:45:00.001+10:00

I borrowed this beautiful book from the library, and made this cute circular pincushion for my spot loving sister in law Stepf.

The fabric is from Japan, and so lovely and soft - thank you to Jacqui from Mee a Bee for sending me some of her fabric scraps when I ordered Abbey a gorgeous custom made kinder bag earlier in the year.

The book is beautiful, but I am glad I did not buy it, as there was a fault with the enclosed pattern, but luckily I sussed it out.

My little brother suggested we make him a MUCH bigger one, so he can use it as a bean bag. Imagine how much fabric I would need for that!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-05T14:39:00.003+10:00

More Wordless Wednesday.

Bibs 'n messes

2010-05-02T15:38:00.005+10:00

I am doing my best to enjoy Zoe starting solids, but she has her own ideas about it all. She refuses to eat anything off a spoon. She will happily chew on a spoon. Just don't try to feed her from a spoon.

She is more than happy to feed herself. Actually, she loves feeding herself. And the bigger it is, the more she seems to enjoy it. So she is now eating vegemite sandwiches, chunky steamed vegetables, mini sausage rolls and her favourite is to munch on a chicken drumstick or wing. Last week, a chicken drumstick kept her happily amused for over 40 minutes (yay! I got dinner made on time that day)

The down side of this is the mess. Everywhere. So only bibs with long sleeves will do. I only had two bibs like these. So I ordered one off this wonderful website and I surprised myself and made one this weekend, and completely finished it too.

Fits her perfectly. Lovely :)

Sushi cushions

2010-04-28T11:55:00.008+10:00

My dear friend Nancy recently bought her own house. All by herself.

She is one of my sushi friends from work, we love going out for lunch for a chat and sushi.

When I saw this fabric, I just had to make her something. Cushion covers were perfect for her new home.

I also made her a card, and am so pleased how it turned out (using fabric scraps from this dress)

Happy Birthday, darling girl

2010-04-26T09:00:00.002+10:00

Happy 4th Birthday Abbey.

Four years ago today, it was supposed to be my last day of work before Maternity leave started. But you had other ideas. Instead, I was waking daddy up at 4am saying my waters had broken. We were having a baby. One month early. No hospital bag packed. Luckily, we did not panic. We packed some bags, and by the time your daddy was driving me to the hospital, contractions had started.

At 1:47pm you arrived, to a room full of doctors and nurses. Daddy and Nanny G were there to help too, I needed them. After a quick cuddle, you and daddy were whisked away to the Special Care Nursery, where you lived for the first 15 days of your life.

Since your birth, we have learnt to let you do many things, all in "Abbey-time".

You bring us so much joy and make us laugh every day. We are so proud of you, the way you have grown into such a polite, sweet and thoughtful little girl. We love your energy and enthusiasm and wonder at all things new.

I love you with all my heart, darling girl. Happy 4th Birthday.

Love from Mummy xoxox

Christmas thank you cards

2010-04-09T10:10:00.006+10:00

Things around here, since Zoe was born, are taking a little longer to complete than normal.

When we went away on holidays recently, I finally had the time to write messages on and post Abbey's Christmas thank you cards.

I love these cupcake cards, and they are very easy to make. You just draw a cupcake shape over the fold in a blank card, colour this in, then stick a multi folded piece of coloured card above the cupcake. I found that 1/4 of an A4 sheet of card, divided down the longest edge, fitted our cards perfectly (I hope this makes sense)

We got the idea from Mister Maker. Mister Maker is a big hit in our house, both Abbey and I love this show (when it is on ABC1 or ABC2)

Have fun!

Au revoir

2010-04-04T11:23:00.003+10:00

Yesterday we sadly said goodbye to Chris's parents. They had been staying with us for the last 8 weeks, visiting all the way from England.

The house feels so big now, and oddly very quiet, even with two noisy children still here.

Safe travels home, Nanny Kiss and Grandad Pete. xox

I love holidays

2010-04-01T15:31:00.000+11:00

(Freaky) Chocolate Brownie Slice

2010-03-16T17:03:00.008+11:00

I have been meaning to share this amazing Chocolate Brownie Slice recipe for ages, I even took these photos last month. But you know, stuff happens, and I had not got around to it. So I sat down at the computer right now ready to share it, but first looked at a few other blogs I follow, and lo and behold, just today Corrie from retromummy not only blogged a very similar recipe, she has also made the same dinner (salmon fishcakes) for her family, as I have made for ours. Freaky. Spooky. Weird. But all yummy, that's all that matters in my opinion.

I'll still share my Brownie recipe, because I know my sister-in-law Jus and family will love eating them.

Chocolate Brownie Slice

150-200g good quality dark chocolate*
100g butter
1 cup sugar (I use brown)
1/2 cup plain flour (I use wholemeal)
2 Tablespoons cocoa
2 eggs

Line a 16x26cm slab pan with baking paper, grease with butter.
Melt chocolate and butter together (I use a pyrex dish suspended over a saucepan of simmering water) Let it cool a little.
Take off heat, mix in sugar, plain flour and cocoa.
Add eggs, mix well.
Cook in prepared pan for 25-35 minutes in pre-heated oven set to 160C. I like my brownies quite moist and still a little gooey, so only cook mine for 27 minutes.
Try not to eat all of it at once.

* I buy good quality cooking chocolate in 200g blocks. Not all of it makes it into the brownie slice, some falls into my mouth. Make sure you put at least 150g into your brownies :)

Love letter to Zoe

2010-03-08T09:25:00.000+11:00

Dearest Zoe,

Six months ago today, you were born. Six months ago today our little family changed forever, and in the most wonderful way. Chris and I now have another beautiful child to cherish. Abbey has a little sister to entertain, smother with kisses (and boss about)

Even before you were conceived, I wanted you, craved you. There was this strong, primal urge inside me to know you. For you to be in my life.

Your birth was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. What started out as what looked to be a quick and easy birth turned out to be (slightly) longer and challenging (for me) You were facing posterior, then spinning around and around with every contraction, and not progressing down as part of my cervix was blocking your way. Lucky daddy and Nanny G were both there as my support, and the two midwives were amazing to be able to assist you out into the world. The whole time I was birthing you, you were never in distress. You were so happy and snug inside. And you still are, outside. You are such a happy, contented little soul. So easy going. You have fitted into our family perfectly.

Knowing you, loving you, has moved me to the core of my whole being. I now feel the most wonderful sense of completion. Like a final puzzle piece, missing for years, has been restored.

I love the way your face lights up when you see Abbey, how she can make you smile like no one else can. I love the way your eyes follow me around the room when you are hungry, nothing else matters to you, until you have been fed. I love every minute we spend together breastfeeding - every roll of beautiful chubby skin on your body, I have nourished. Thank you for coping with my constant over supply of milk and such a forceful letdown. Nothing has fazed you.

Thank you my darling Zoe for making me love even more. Thank you for re-kindling my love of sewing and being creative. Being creative is now my sanctuary. Thank you for reminding me how precious life is. I am so grateful, feel so privileged to be your and Abbey's mummy.

Happy half birthday, Zoe.

I love you with all my heart.

Mummy xoxox

Finally, some thing for me!

2010-03-07T15:31:00.009+11:00

I finally made some thing for me!

I knew I wanted to make me some A-line skirts, but all the patterns I have (which I made myself, many years ago, pre-children) no longer fit. At the moment, I don't have the time, or the brain capacity, to make another new pattern.

Looking through pattern books in fabric shops is just not possible at the moment either, with two little kiddies in tow. I now go online and choose any patterns I want to buy. I used this New Look pattern, view A. So easy to make, and even better in this case, GJ's had this one on her pattern stand, just waiting for me. I was well chuffed.

I had to make a skirt out of this gorgeous red and white fabric from GJ's recent sale.

More of the same

2010-03-04T20:46:00.004+11:00

Well, I said here that I was sure I would be making more of these shirred dresses.

And I have.

Ha ha, very funny

2010-03-02T09:30:00.006+11:00

I was very excited last week to receive notification in the mail that my favourite fabric shop, GJ's, was having another sale.

Chris was not so excited. I meant I would want to buy more fabric. So he tried to convince me I had missed the sale by altering the notification.

Lucky for me I was not fooled, and managed to pick up a few different fabrics. I got the circuit board fabric for Chris, wonder what I will make for him with it?

Crafting afternoon

2010-02-28T21:00:00.005+11:00

Abbey and I spent the most lovely afternoon crafting together recently. She was making a beaded necklace, and I was finishing off a few sewing projects. It was so lovely to sit together, in silence, and concentrate on our own creations. I hope we have many more of these sessions, it was pure bliss.

Patchwork door stops

2010-02-27T21:00:00.002+11:00

I have never done any proper patchwork or quilting before. I have been getting more and more interested lately in patchwork. So I borrowed some books from the library, to at least learn the basics of how all the different fabric pieces are sewn together (so neatly!)

So practicing my patchwork, I made another door stop this one for my mum and step-dad . It was great fun. I can now see how addictive patchworking is.

Twirling

2010-02-24T15:20:00.000+11:00

Abbey still loves her rainbow dress. She wears it at least twice a week. I'll take that as a lovely compliment, as I made it.

The dress is great for twirling in as the skirt part is quite full. Here is a video of her practicing her twirling, while putting on a "show" for me.

Note to self: next time, take video in portrait mode, not landscape.

Sorry if you get a sore neck watching the video.

Good bye, Guitar man

2010-02-13T13:06:00.001+11:00

This week Chris had his last guitar lesson with Mike before he moves back to the USA. Chris has been having guitar lessons with Mike, on and off, for over 3 years now. I can tell he has learnt a lot as his guitar playing is so different now.

As a little thank you for Mike, I made these cushion covers for him. Good luck on your new adventure Mike!

Thank you

2010-02-10T15:10:00.004+11:00

I am one lucky, and grateful, lady bug lady. Last month I opened the letter box to find this beautiful pendant, all for me. I have been wearing it all the time. It is perfectly me.

Thank you again Kris, for thinking of me.

Door stops

2010-02-07T20:49:00.001+11:00

This week I have been sewing these door stops. Instructions from this lovely book which I got for Christmas off Chris. So easy to make. Lots of fun mixing and matching different fabrics.

The one on the left is for my Grandma. I like it so much, I may just make one or two for our house. Of course, the one on the right is for Abbey's bedroom, to match her pillow case, and made with fabric scraps.

Opp shopping goodness

2010-02-06T20:47:00.000+11:00

I love opp shopping (opportunity shops) They are called charity shops in the UK, Jus :) I have been opp shopping since I was a teenager. I miss the days when I was a student and I could spend a whole spare day visiting lots of different opp shops (when I should have been studying!)

We are lucky that our suburb has three, yes 3, opp shops in the local strip of shops. One of them is my particular fave, and just happens to be the biggest one. Last week I had just enough time to pop into one, and one only. So of course it was my favourite one I chose to visit: and it did not disappoint. I got this huge pile of fabric for only $10. There was black, red and white linen, two different blue cord fabric, denim, blue fleece and the top two patterned fabrics. I did not buy it all either, left some there for someone else (I went back a few days later, and got some more coloured cord and a few other odds and ends)

I feel a bit humbled, as I must have bought some ones fabric stash. Why did they take their fabric stash to the opp shop? No time to sew, run out of inspiration? I'll never know, but I can wonder.

Reward Charts

2010-02-02T16:10:00.007+11:00

We have had a challenging time toilet training Abbey. She was 2.5 when we started, and she got the wee bit reasonably quickly. But for over 12 months we have been working with her to know when she needed to do a poo. It was hard as she just did not feel it coming until it was too late.

When it got to January 2010, with 3 year old kinder starting so soon, we had to get serious. Luckily, she had started to feel when a few were coming, then within days, she seemed to know almost all the time. Using these fantastic (and free) Reward Charts has helped to keep more poo's in the toilet. Well done Abbey!

Lost in translation

2010-02-02T15:44:00.011+11:00

In January, our good friends Jules and Ross's daughter, Jessie, turned one. I made this for her birthday present. It was supposed to be another shirred dress. It somehow ended up too short to be a dress, but is just fine as a little summer top.

Lady bug magnet.

2010-01-28T12:00:00.003+11:00

Back in December, my mother's group held a Christmas party for the kids, and we all took along a present so the kids could do a kris kringle.

All the presents were wrapped up, they just had to pick a present for them selves from under the tree. This was the one Abbey chose - a cute lady bug and bumble bee game of noughts and crosses/tick tack toe. Abbey must be a lady bug magnet?

Anzac biscuits

2010-01-25T14:34:00.001+11:00

Abbey wanted to do some baking last week, so we made Anzac biscuits. Abbey only loves cooking if she can eat it along the way, and lick the bowl and cooking spoons (I love this too)

I love her concentration face, rolling the mixture!

And this is the "please can I eat one now" face.

And now the "please can I eat one more, I'll even smile for the camera" pose.

Most Australian's know the recipe, I am mainly posting this for our family in the UK, they might like to make them one day, they are very yummy. I always make a double batch, so I can share some with my mum and Grandma.

I can't say where this version of the recipe has come from, I have had it scribbled on a (now) grubby piece of paper for over 15 years. This grubby piece of paper is well traveled too, it came with me when I lived in the UK.

Anzac Biscuits:

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup plain flour (I use wholemeal)

1 cup sugar (I use brown sugar)

3/4 cup coconut

125g butter

2 tablespoons golden syrup

1/2 teaspoon bicarb

1 tablespoon boiling water

Combine rolled oats, flour, sugar and coconut in large bowl, mix well.
Melt together butter and golden syrup.
Add bicarb to boiling water, mix well, then add to butter and golden syrup mixture.
Mix together, be careful it does not overflow, as the liquid puffs up in size.
Add to the dry ingredients, and mix until well combined.
Roll into balls, or use spoonfuls of mixture and cook on a non-stick baking tray or baking paper. Cook in a slow oven 150C for 12-18 minutes. 12 minutes for soft biscuits, 18 for crunchy ones.

I always use less coconut as I have a mild food intolerance to it, and I add in extra oats to make up the difference.

Special hand made Christmas Presents, part 3.

2010-01-20T12:29:00.004+11:00

This is my last blog about all the special hand made Christmas presents we received.

These gorgeous dresses were made by Abbey and Zoe's Auntie Stepfie. Stepfie is new to sewing, but picking it up very quickly. I felt very special to be able to help her late last year with the dress lining. Since then Stepfie has been sewing up a storm, yay!

Special Christmas presents, part 2.

2010-01-13T14:30:00.006+11:00

Abbey and Zoe were given some lovely handmade Christmas presents from Auntie Paige.

Everyone keeps asking me who is the ladybug really for?

Abbey's present is amazing - all these hand made mattresses in such lovely fabrics. The Princess is hand made, with her own little crown. A few peas were included with the gift, but these were lost within days of receiving.

This version of the story, by Lauren Child (author of Charlie and Lola) is magical.

This present is perfect for Abbey at 3.5 years old, she loves playing with dolls and is fascinated with fairy tales.

Thank you Auntie Paige for such thoughtful presents, made with love. xox

Special hand made Christmas presents

2010-01-13T12:33:00.001+11:00

I am one very lucky Auntie. My gorgeous niece and nephew, who live all the way over in England, made these for me, for Christmas - a ladybug needle holder and a ladybug pin cushion. My lovely sister-in-law Justine helped them.

How cute are the backs?

They are getting used all the time, I don't know how I survived before I had them. Thanks Jus! xox

Can anything be better than a bag of maltesers?

2010-01-10T22:23:00.006+11:00

Yes!

A mega party bucket of maltesers.

A whole 640g of maltesers.

Yum.

Thanks mum for such a yummy Christmas present.

Rainbow Dress

2010-01-05T22:18:00.002+11:00

This is Abbey wearing her new Rainbow Dress that I made for her (before Christmas) with some of the lovely fabric I got from GJ's.

Abbey loves spinning in circles in this dress, the skirt is full enough to have a great twirl to it.

I made it using this pattern. I am not a big fan of the pattern, not sure if I will use it again. I did not realise until I started, that it is supposed to be fully lined, I only lined the bodice. You also add the zipper in last and this is really quite awkward to do.

I am quite chuffed, as she wants to wear it all the time - as soon as it is washed, it is worn again.

Yes, she is wearing gum boots/wellies in the middle of summer. Yes they are on the wrong feet. Again.

Sewing in the New Year

2010-01-01T21:14:00.005+11:00

Happy New Year!

I spent my New Year sewing Abbey a new cover for her europe sized pillow. One side flowers, the other butterflies. Lots of pink. Of course.

It matches her room perfectly.

Whoops!

2009-12-26T16:38:00.007+11:00

I was so excited to try out this shirred dress that I did not read the instructions properly. So I ended up with two: one for Zoe (3 months old) and one for teddy (3.5 years old) They are so easy to make, I will be making many more I am sure.

Of course, now Abbey wants one out of the same fabric. The same fabric she declared the day before I made these, that she did not like. Three year olds are so fickle!

Get them addicted young!

2009-12-19T22:04:00.008+11:00

I recently fell in love. With GJ's Discount Fabric, when I visited it for the first time.

My friend Paige and I spent well over an hour browsing all the different fabrics, it was so hard to choose only a few. To make the visit more exciting for Abbey, I told her she could choose a fabric and I would make her a dress. She chose the pink patterned fabric, and I got the blue one for Zoe.

Look at her in the photo above, cuddling the fabric, she was so excited. She has called it her "rainbow fabric", and I am to make her a "rainbow dress" with it.

Abbey also loves taking photos with my SLR camera, and most of her photos have to have teddy in them - she took this one below, and of course, teddy had to be in it. Too cute, and not bad for a 3 year old.

Ooo, win lovely stuff!

2009-12-18T22:41:00.004+11:00

The lovely Missy Krissy is having a give-away of some of her beautiful new creations, I can't decide which one I like the most, today the pendant is my favourite.

I am SO entering as I was one very lucky kitten, and won a lovely pair of her ear-rings back in October. Thanks Kris!

Is it possible to have too many lady bugs?

2009-11-22T10:13:00.002+11:00

I don't think so.

Family history through a brooch

2009-10-29T16:00:00.011+11:00

This is my Granny. She always wears a brooch. And I mean, always. I honesty can't remember any time I have seen her without one. She has so many, I guess I have been taking them for granted (for way too long)

Today, I decided to ask her about the brooch she was wearing. I am so pleased that I did, I still giggle every time I think of this conversation:
Me: Grandma, please tell me about your brooch.
Granny: One of my boyfriends gave it to me. Can't remember which one.
Me: Dissolved in giggles, could hardly hear the rest of her story, had to ask her to repeat it.

The story is that one of her boyfriends gave it to her during the Second World War. There are two boyfriends it could have been from, both of them serving in the Australian Army in New Guinea (in the 1940's) She could remember both of their names, one of them was a chef in the Officers Army. She told me the other one courted her and waited for her for 12 years - but she married my dear Grandpa (who passed away 5 years ago)

The brooch is made out of shell, and is exquisite. The photographs do not do it justice at all. I had to use my little compact camera, not my SLR.

Next time I see Grandma, I will ask her about the brooch she is wearing that day. And I can't wait!

Cloth nappies and wipes, I love you

2009-10-26T13:37:00.014+11:00

I am still talking about what was happening before Zoe was born. So, 8 or 9 weeks ago I was sewing up these lady bug cloth nappy wipes. I was rather excited when I found the lady bug fleece, and had to stop myself from buying dozens of metres of it!

I love my cloth nappy wipes. They are so soft. I use them instead of disposable wipes at nappy change time, with a spray bottle of water (you can also buy already made up, natural solutions, like floral water) Then I just wash them with my cloth nappies. They dry so quickly. They save me money. They are better for the environment. And no chemicals on Zoe's newborn baby bottom too.

This was my nappy change table, all set up at the end of August, and waiting for Zoe to arrive.

It was also before I got some more of my favourite cloth nappies, itti bitti d'lish's. Look at all the different colours. There are even more colours to choose from at itti bitti. For many years I have been a self confessed pink hater. But pink as a colour is starting to grow on me - lucky that, as we now have two little girls.

6 weeks ago today.....

2009-10-20T16:27:00.019+11:00

I had a baby. I can't believe how fast these 6 weeks have gone. In that time I have only managed one posting. I have lots to talk about, and lots of things to show, even managed 20 minutes of sewing (in the whole 6 weeks!) Otherwise I have been a tad busy with our gorgeous baby, Zoe. Not to mention Abbey keeps me busy too. How do all you other bloggers do it - find the time to fit it all in?

Chris and I have been joking that we now have the A-Z of little girls (as we have Abbey and Zoe)

Lets go back 7 weeks then - I was busy sewing these bibs.

I had some Dora material left over from the pencil case I made. So the Dora bib is for Abbey, but as she is 3.5 years old, it does not get worn very often.

And here is Zoe. Fast asleep.

Introducing....

2009-09-19T11:13:00.009+10:00

Last week we had our baby. After a rather quick (6 hours) but intense labour our newest family member arrived. I am pleased to introduce little Zoe Mai to the world. Not that she was that little, weighing 3.72kg (8.2lbs) Considering I am very short and petite, I have no idea where or how she fitted inside me. The midwives had no idea also.

Abbey is loving being the big sister (so far!) and I hope this continues. Zoe is only 4 hours old in the photo above, wearing a hat I made for her, and all wrapped up in lady bugs (of course)

How clever is my lovely friend Paige? She made this divine card for Zoe, and she also made us a mega yummy lasagna that we were eating for much of the week. Paige also made some beautiful bibs, but I forgot to take a photo of these. Thank you so much Paige!

This last photo is Zoe 10 days old. Either smiling at us, or she has wind? Who knows, it is a very cheeky smile, and the beginning of a dimple in her left cheek (like her daddy)

I am itching to get back to sewing, I am in the middle of a few projects, but I am finding it a little hard to find any spare time at the moment :)

This week I have been making....

2009-09-04T16:44:00.012+10:00

Lots of baby bibs. These three are finished, and all for baby Patrick. Baby Patrick is little brother of Miss Darcy. They will match the applique baby singlet I made for him in July, if it still fits him - he has been busy growing.

I need to finish the others, and take some photos. I have had lots of fun making them, feels so good to be sewing again.

Look what my mum made

2009-09-04T16:19:00.005+10:00

I think my mum is very clever, I am a little biased I guess, as she is my mum and I love her.

She knitted this gorgeous scarf for her Uncle (my Grandma's brother) as he has been sick much of this cold Melbourne winter. Grandma would have knitted him a scarf, but her arthritis is too painful for her to knit any more. It is a terrible shame, as Granny was a prolific knitter in her time.

Maybe one day, with more practice on my part, I will be able to knit other than in a straight line - I hope so!

Today is special

2009-08-27T17:10:00.003+10:00

Today I am 37 weeks pregnant. The baby is now classed as "full term". Yay to that I say.

I am so grateful to have made it this far, as our dear daughter, Abbey, was born at 35 weeks and 3 days. It was a bit of a shock at the time, we were not ready, no hospital bag had been packed, I hadn't even finished work! She was in a hurry to meet us, being born early, and her birth was rather quick for a first timer (just under 6 hours)

The doctors said she was a good size for a 35 week premmie, weighing 2.585kg at birth. But she was still tiny. Size 00000 baby clothes were too big on her in the first few weeks. She had to stay in hospital in the Special Care Nursery for 15 days, 12 of those after I was discharged.

I am pleased to say Abbey is a completely normal 3 year old, and has suffered no ill effects for being born early.

So who knows when this next baby will arrive? Here is a 30 week scan image of our new baby, smiling at us, as he/she only knows when he/she will be born.

This time I am ready.

I made this today.

2009-08-24T17:00:00.012+10:00

I am well chuffed I made this today. I actually finished a project, in one day.

Feels like it took me 5 hours to make one small zippered pouch/pencil case, but I had lots of distractions and managed to fit in a few house chores along the way too. One small step at a time.

Abbey chose the fabric if you hadn't already guessed.

Thank you to Amy Karol's book Bend-the-Rules Sewing for instructions on how to complete this project.

Look what Abbey made me today, a lady bug! I love it.

Fairy Dress

2009-08-23T11:47:00.007+10:00

Last week I made this Fairy dress for Miss Darcy's 4th birthday. Abbey already has one, in a smaller size, that I made for her 3rd birthday back in April. Miss Darcy is a regular play mate of Abbey, and they have both enjoyed wearing this Fairy dress.

The pattern is McCalls M4887. It is very easy to make, just fiddly cutting out and sewing with this material. I was very grateful for the overlocker also, made sewing this so much easier.

Another one of my unfinished sewing projects is a purple Fairy dress like this for me. I really should do some thing about that soon.......

What is going on?

2009-08-21T14:53:00.006+10:00

This week, I am craving all these. Some how, Chris is also now craving the fruit fizzers and sours squirms. I have not had many cravings this pregnancy, except for red meat (and lots of it)

These are amazing

2009-08-19T15:12:00.023+10:00

Have you ever tried a new food, and you end up thinking about it all the time? You want to make it all the time? You can't get enough of it? You tell everyone you know all about how yummy this food is.

Well, this happened to me recently.

I had a catch up lunch recently with the lovely Raenette and some friends who we used to work with many years ago. Raenette kindly offered to make lunch for us, which I was rather excited about - she always cooks such yummy food. This day was no exception.

She made these amazing Goat's Cheese and Asparagus Tarts. I could not stop eating them, they were so delicious.

Raenette has kindly shared the recipe with me, and even allowed me to post it here. I have been making them every opportunity I get to entertain. They are yummy hot or cold, but really best right out of the oven. Nice and easy party finger food, and I can imagine talking them along to picnic's when the weather improves in Melbourne.

These tarts are really some thing special, and I hope you enjoy them (even half) as much as me

Goat’s Cheese & Asparagus Tarts

Makes 24. Preparation 20 mins. Cooking 20 mins. This recipe can be made a day ahead; reheat in a moderate oven for about 5 minutes before serving.

3 sheets ready-rolled shortcrust pastry
10g butter
150g asparagus, chopped finely
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
150g goat’s cheese (hard or soft)
2 eggs, beaten lightly
2/3 cup (160ml) cream
Salt & freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to moderately hot (200C/180F fan-forced). Grease 24 holes of patty pan trays (2 tbsp, 40ml capacity).

2. Cut 24 rounds from pastry with a 7cm cutter. Place rounds into patty pan holes.

3. Heat the butter in a small frying pan. Add the asparagus, garlic and 2 teaspoons of the chopped thyme; cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until the asparagus is soft. Allow to cool down for a few minutes.

4. Combine eggs and cream, season with salt and pepper, then stir in the chopped/crumbled goat's cheese and asparagus mixture. Combine well. Divide among the pastry cases.

5. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining thyme leaves.

6. Bake, uncovered, in a moderately hot oven for about 15 minutes or until browned lightly.

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave.

I would love one of these.

2009-08-17T11:08:00.004+10:00

I have been spending lots of time reading other blogs, and found this amazing creation by Missie Krissie. How clever is she? Check it out, and enter her competition to win one. They really are special, what an amazing way to store and display your jewellery.
I wish I could make stuff like this.

I can't live without......

2009-08-10T15:50:00.019+10:00

Yoga!

Every Wednesday Paige and I go to yoga class taken by the amazing Jane.

Last Wednesday I was uncomfortable. At the time I was 34 weeks pregnant and a little over it on that day. For most of this pregnancy I have loved it, it really has been a dream pregnancy. I have had so much energy, and not much to complain about - I am very grateful I have been keeping so well. I also want to enjoy every moment of being pregnant this time, as this will probably be our last baby.

But, back to last Wednesday. I was uncomfortable. I could not catch my breath, I felt so tight in my chest and the baby belly. I was not able to bend down and pick anything up off the floor, I could hardly walk with out waddling. My back was aching. I was cranky. I was tired. I wanted my body back.

I was feeling so awful, I was ready to stay at home and miss yoga. But I made myself go. It is "my time", a very rare time of the week devoted to me. It is also a special time for Chris and Miss Three to spend together.

I am so glad that I went to class. Of course, there are many poses I can't do at the moment, but there is still so much I can do at yoga, many other poses I can do with modifications to accommodate the baby bump.

After class, I felt incredible, the best I had felt all week! I could breath again. I felt energised and so calm and happy. Most of all, I felt like a belt had been let loose from around the baby bump, I was so much more comfortable and at ease.

So, this reaffirmed (again) how I can't live without yoga in my life.

These are a few photos that were taken when I was pregnant with Abbey in 2006, just before she was born, and just before Jane started classes at her beautiful new yoga studio.

Namaste.

I made this

2009-07-25T12:48:00.016+10:00

I made this, before I started my craft blog. A stuffed monkey for my nephews birthday. I had never made anything like this before, and was nicely surprised at how easy it really was to make.

I got the pattern from the lovely, and very helpful, Pauline at Funky Friends Factory.

Here is a photo of the monkey, flat, before he was stuffed, and before I put on his face.

Now Abbey wants one.....and of course, it has to be in pink, her favourite colour.

Gingerbread

2009-07-21T16:23:00.004+10:00

Last week Abbey and I made gingerbread biscuits. She had so much fun, and kept insisting "I do it myself" at every step.

They were very yummy, and only lasted a few days in our house, although we were very generous and gave many away to friends and family.

I love gingerbread. But not really crunchy gingerbread, I like it a little soft.

This is the best recipe I have ever found. By adjusting the cooking time, you can make soft or harder gingerbread to suit every ones tastes. This recipe makes about 40-50 biscuits, depending on the size of the cookie cutter used.

100g butter

200g (1 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar

250mls (1 cup) treacle or golden syrup

2 eggs, lightly whisked

600g (4 cups) plain flour (I used 2 cups wholemeal plain flour/2 cups plain flour)

150g (1 cup) self-raising flour

1 tbs ground ginger

1 tbs ground cinnamon

1.5 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1. Place the butter, sugar and treacle/golden syrup in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly.

2. Combine the butter mixture and eggs in a large bowl. Sift the combined flours, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and bicarbonate of soda over the butter and egg mixture. Stir until well combined.

Turn onto a lightly floured surface (or a large sheet of baking paper) and gently knead until smooth. Shape into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour to rest.

3. Pre-heat oven to 180C and line your tray/s with non-stick baking paper.

4. Divide the dough into 2 even portions, roll out one portion on a lightly floured surface (or a large sheet of baking paper) until approximately 5mm thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out your shapes. Decorate with small chocolate buttons at this point, or with icing after they have been cooked and cooled down.

5. Bake for 5 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Enjoy!

Applique

2009-07-08T11:18:00.007+10:00

Last week I added the blue dinosaur applique to a baby singlet for dear friend Nell's baby Patrick.

Abbey liked it so much, she wanted one too. I let her choose which dinosaur she wanted, and was lucky to find a brand new, spare white t-shirt, in her size, in my sewing cupboard (hoarding can be a good thing!)

Now what can I make next?

Christmas Shopping.

2009-06-25T16:51:00.040+10:00

Don't think I am mad, but I have been busy Christmas shopping this month. There are a few reasons for this. Chris's family all live in the UK, so if we want to send pressies sea mail, and save money on the postage, mail has to be sent before September. The other reason is we are expecting our second child in September. I don't fancy having to complete Christmas shopping later in the year with a newborn and Abbey. So, thanks goodness for Internet shopping!

My favourite website at the moment, for original, locally made gifts, is:
http://madeit.com.au/
I have found some amazing presents on this website. I can't show all my goodies, as most of them are pressies, and some gift receivers will easily know which ones I have chosen for them.

I absolutely love the gorgeous creations by Lou of Buttons by Lou Lou.
The cup cake fridge magnets are a pressie, but I can't say who for. How cute are they?

The lady bug head band is mine (all mine!)

I found some gorgeous pencil cases from Odds & Blobs

Jessica from Odds & Blobs custom made me some gorgeous notepads too, all to be pressies for certain special people.

18 months in the making.

2009-06-25T16:43:00.008+10:00

Yay, it has only taken me 18 months to finally finish Abbey's bedroom curtains. I am so chuffed. I hope to get on with some "fun" sewing now the "practical" sewing is finished.

Sewing the curtain backing, I used clothes pegs instead of pins. I did not want to put any holes in the curtain backing material.

Material from Clegs sale last week.

2009-06-14T10:53:00.012+10:00

I picked up a few remnants from the Clegs sale last week. I want to make a skirt for me with this black, red and silver bonded lace material. I got two pieces of this material, so could also make Abbey a skirt too, still not sure if it is "too old" for her or not. I will have to have a think about it.

Abbey is obsessed with pink - it is certainly her favourite colour, so I could not resist the pink shantung - not sure what I will make out of it yet. I love denim skirts, so the denim remnant will probably make a lovely skirt for some one. I just like the look of the check material, no inspiration on what to make with this yet. I also got some small pieces of purple and red fleece, I am sure I will make some more baby hats with this material.

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to change the broken needle on the overlocker. I am well impressed that Janome overlockers and sewing machines all use the same needles, this makes it much easier. The overlocker is still not 100% - I have threaded the machine twice, and it is still skipping stitches. I will have another try today to get it working properly - I still have Abbey's bedroom curtains to finish. As I have been away from sewing for so many years, it is like I am re-learning everything all over again. All adds to the fun!

One little set back.

2009-06-10T12:07:00.012+10:00

I was all set to have a few hours of sewing ahead of me on the Queen’s Birthday holiday, but within 5 minutes of sewing, I had (somehow) managed to snap one of the overlocker needles. I dashed out to the local spotlight store, but they had no Janome overlocker needles, because they don’t sell Janome machines. I was very disappointed, as I was in such a mood to sew. I was finally sewing the hems to Abbey’s bedrooms curtains – a project, I am embarrassed to say, I started 18 months ago. I will toddle off later today to the local sewing centre and pick up some new overlocker needles.
I was still in a creative mood, so I found another, older, project to work on. When I was pregnant with Abbey, in early 2006, my mum and I knitted some purple and turquoise squares, to make a baby blanket. All the knitted squares were finished before Abbey was born, but I never managed to sew them together to make the blanket. I guess it did not help that Abbey was born one month early.
I am still a knitting novice, and can only knit in a straight line. I hope to learn to knit better, one day soon, and I am fascinated with crochet too.
Here are some photos of the knitted squares, and the soon to be completed blanket.

What to say for first post, where to start....

2009-06-03T11:21:00.042+10:00

I am a tad excited about the Clegs remnant sale, which begins this Friday 5th June 2009.
I must go. I would love some new material, to inspire me to get more creative.
I will have to take Abbey along to the sale, as Nanny G (my wonderful mum, and babysitter) is away on holidays at the moment. Abbey could help me choose some fabric to make her something – she is now getting interested in my sewing projects (especially if I am making something for her!)

On the weekend, I finally made some baby hats. I have had the patterns for a while now, from Funky Friends Factory

I also finished off some cloth nappy wipes that I started months ago. Abbey is toilet trained for wee's, but we are still working on the poo's - I never seem to have enough cloth nappy wipes.