Ode to the Hot Water System

If I could write poetry I would write an ode to my new hot water system. Our old one had been slowly dying for months and it was such a gradual thing I don't think we realised until the last few weeks when the water was almost cold. Now it is hot, I think hot might be an understatement, it's boiling. I can't believe how happy hot water makes me.

The other things making me happy today are these proteas from our playgroup cake stall. Have a great weekend everyone.

The winner is ...

A big thankyou to everyone who left a comment and gave me ideas of fun things to do with two year olds. I have so many ideas, we shouldn't ever be bored again. I did a very scientific draw - wrote out everyone's name and put them in a bowl and Chris drew a name out. The winner of the bag and book is Melissa!
We did some baking for the playgroup cake stall tomorrow. Anzacs and Chocolate Chip and Golden Syrup biscuits. Here is the recipe for the latter - the measurements are only approximate - I'm not big on measuring.

Chocolate Chip and Golden Syrup Biscuits
2/3 cup brown sugar
125g butter
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup SR flour
2 tbsp golden syrup
2/3 cup choc chips ( I prefer the dark chocolate ones, but any will do)
Cream the butter and sugar. Add the rest of the ingredients. Form into little balls and bake at 180 degrees C for 10-15 minutes, until they start to brown.

Etsy Treasury

I am loving all your ideas of fun things to do with two year olds - keep them coming! I will draw the winner of the bag and book tomorrow night.
I managed to snag a Treasury list on Etsy - the theme is blue.

Bag Giveaway

I have been trying to think of new bag ideas, then remembered an old bag which I really liked. So my new bag is based on that one and I'm giving it away! I have been meaning to do this for ages as a thankyou to everyone out there who has inspired me.
So if you would like this bag and a book - Fog Linen work ISBN 4579209303 all you have to do is leave a comment by Thursday evening Western Australian time telling me a good, not to stressful activity to do with two year olds. I need some more ideas to keep the girls amused. And yes I'll post anywhere.

Rainy Weekend

We have had a nice rainy weekend. There were a few sunny bits where the girls could get out of the house so they didn't go crazy being stuck inside. To be really honest Chris took them out of the house and I could have some peace for a little bit so I didn't go crazy. I think a little peace and quiet is the one thing i really look forward to on the weekend. In my time alone I managed to get some sewing done. More wombats, platypuses and a bag.

First Haircut

The girls had their first haircut today. Not as traumatic as I thought it would be. It did require a walk in the rain to get there as Chris had the car, but I can't complain about having a decent rain as it is so needed here and the girls were nice and cosy in the pram anyway. Grace went first and had this look on her face the whole time, she didn't even try to move.

Even a packet of tiny teddies couldn't tempt Amelia to sit still. I took this picture in the 1 second she sat in the chair before she started screaming. So she sat on my lap and they managed to quickly cut her hair, but she couldn't be in on having water sprayed on her hair or having a bit of a blow dry, unlike Grace who loved that bit.

There was a good toy selection which made everyone happy. That and the treat of the tiny teddies.

A Little Less Craziness

Things are slightly less crazy here, actually I think it's only crazy when I am not organised, so I'm trying to be more organised. However the girls don't think this is a great idea - how much mess can they make? And their favourite word is 'no'. No they can't clean up, no they can't eat their dinner, no they don't want to get changed, no they can't give us a kiss and no they don't want to have a nap just now.
I have finished up a few things. Some flower yo-yos for hairclips. I got mine here.
Another bag - it is going to be sad to cut into the last of this fabric. I had some blue fabric the same which has all been used. I think these were nearly my favourite bits of fabric ever. Definitely top ten. Another giraffe. I actually made identical twins, one has gone to live with the sweetest little baby called Braydon.

Craziness

It seems like things have been crazy here this past week. I'm not sure where the time has gone and I'm not sure what I have been doing and it has been cold. We have a little house with floorboards that just always seems cold at the moment even when the fire is on.

This platypus is the only thing I have managed to sew this week. I think I might clean the sewing desk and maybe that will motivate me to sew some more.

A Busy Week

It's been a slightly busy, crazy week here. My sister and niece came for a visit and the girls loved it so much they keep calling and looking for them to make sure they are not hiding somewhere in the house.
We had a massive thunderstorm here yesterday which blew the filters on the internet, which we just got fixed and completely freaked the dog and the girls out - the storm freaked them out not the lack of internet which is what completely freaked me out.
So there has been no crafting this week, but I have recieved a lovely pile of old fabric from Mum's friend Lys. Here is just a bit of it, there is bits of linen and barkcloth in there so now I am inspired to go and do a bit of sewing.

Names

I've been tagged by Gabrielle to give the meaning of your kids’ names, and write about what or how or why you gave the name to your kids.

I don't think we thought about what Amelia and Grace meant. We just tried to find some names we could agree on, which was quite tricky. Everything I suggested was dismissed. I really wanted a Milly or a Molly, but Chris wouldn't agree. He seemed to like Amelia and didn't realise until after she was born that I would be calling her Milly. I think Grace was a name Chris suggested and it really grew on me. I don't think I ever realised how hard it would be for two people to agree on names.

If you feel like sharing I would love to hear your stories on naming your children.

I wasn't going to post a picture of the socks I'm making my Dad until I'd finished both, but that could take forever and I am so impressed I have finished one. Chris kindly modelled it for me - much easier to take pictures of socks when you aren't wearing them. I am using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Black Watch which is so soft - wonderful to knit with.

A little more spinning

Winter is here and that means colds and runny noses for the girls, but it hasn't been too bad and the girls slept much better last night. I have managed to do some more spinning. This is the other roving I bought a while ago. I like the colours and I think my spinning is slowly improving. Pre-drafting is definitely a good idea.

Orange Handspun

I finally spun something and actually made it into a skein, well rather two skeins. If you think this looks a bit thick and thin, tufty and overspun in places you should see the stuff that won't be shown here. I think this will make a very warm hat though.

I finished some more bags. One is for my sister and one for her friend and the other two are in the shop.

Birthdays

A quick summary of our weekend.

Getting my hair cut - Going out to the pub and dinner with friends - Going out to the Cidery and the girls behaving - My birthday today - Chris' birthday tomorrow - Perfect sunny weather, unfortunate as we really need rain here - Getting a birthday cake made for me - Having some time to myself - Spinning and sewing - Lamb Shanks for dinner - A Gocco from Mum . A pretty perfect weekend.

Minifashionista

All these alien giraffes and dolls can now be found at Minifashionista. It is so much fun doing an order like this. Although it can be quite nerve wracking. It seems to take more time choosing the fabric combinations than it does doing the actual sewing. Now it is done I am hoping to try some new things and new ideas that keep popping into my head.