Visit to the Farm

We had a lovely end to the long weekend. A visit to my sister on the farm. It was great to show the girls all the animals and they could run free. It is really nice to have my sister living on a farm and my parents still on theirs. I loved growing up on the farm and having the experiences and freedom we had. I am so glad that even though the girls will not have that all the time they can still visit and experience a little farm life.We took some toys over to my niece Lyssie. I can see a little farmer in the making sitting on her John Deere tractor.
The weather is starting to warm up and the girls are needing some summer clothes. I started with some pants. I just drafted a pattern off some winter pants, changed and enlarged it all and then cut it into 3, matching the front and back and sewed it all up.

Cooking Focaccia

The girls love cooking at the moment. Several times a day they put on their aprons and try to convince me they need cake. Yesterday we made focaccia bread which they refused to eat, but they had great fun making it.

A Weekend in Melbourne

I think I have nearly recovered from our whirlwind trip to Melbourne. The girls didn't forget us, even though they had a great time with Mum and Dad and didn't seem to miss us much.
So a quick summary of the weekend.
Wandering aimlessly around the city - I had forgotten how much fun that is.
Actually reading Saturday's papers.
I think Chris enjoyed having no plans, sleeping in, playing computer games with Paul and going to the movies.
Going out to restaurants and having great food and Gemma cooking great food for us too.
I dragged Gemma to some craft shops I really wanted to see - here are some photos of what I had to have.
Felt from Winterwood

Baby Cashmerino from Sunspun (so soft and squishy)
Fabric from Amitie
Chris and I went out to Bridge Road on Friday and it was so nice to go into Meet Me At Mikes and meet Pip.

On Saturday we dropped into My Poppet and met Cintia and saw her gorgeous new shop. I had to get these shirts for the girls. Now I have to finish a few more loads of washing and the house should be back to normal and I hope it won't be another three years before we have another trip like that.

Inspired to Sew

I think I have found my sewing mojo. Chris and I are off to Melbourne this weekend to visit my sister and I was planning the craft shops I need to visit and all of a sudden I was inspired to sew again. I finished a giraffe and some platypii and planned the rest of the pig quilt.
I haven't really thought about the weekend before now, I feel a bit paranoid about leaving the girls even though I know Mum and Dad will look after them and they won't care that I will call 10 times a day to check on them.
I am starting to get excited about going now, I'm thinking of time to read on the plane, eating out, getting to craft shops I only read about on blogs and getting to touch the stuff I only ever see pictures of and time to just wander around without a double pram and two children screaming for chocolate milk (which they rarely ever have, but lately have been asking me for at least 10 times a day).

Something New

I've finally started something new. A quilt for my niece. I had wanted to make something with pigs for a while, but every pattern I found was just not quite right. So I have decided to have a go at designing my own pattern. It is also the first time I have used the blanket stitch on my sewing machine and so far it seems to be working out ok.

Meme

Amanda tagged me for this meme which is very handy as I have one picture of a finished doll and not much else to say this week except we have nearly recovered, except for my sense of smell, you would think it would make me stop eating, but no it hasn't.

Q1. What were you doing 10 Years ago?
I had just finished Uni and really didn't have a plan and just took work wherever I could for a year.

Q2. What were you doing 1 Year ago?
Pretty much what I am doing now. At home with the girls and I'd just started really getting back into sewing and desiging my own soft toys.

Q3. What are 5 snacks you enjoy?
Tim Tams, Pink Lady Apples, Almonds, Shortbread biscuits, Celery with peanut butter

Q4. What are 5 songs you know the lyrics to?
Quite a lot of great/bad 80s music (depending on your perspective)

Q5. 5 things you would do if you are a Millionaire?
Travel, a slightly bigger house, donate more to charity.

Q6. 5 Bad habits?

I try to keep these to myself

Q7. 5 things you like to do?
Sew, read, cook, spend time with Chris and the girls, quiet time by myself.

Q8. 5 Favourite Toys?
Sewing machine, overlocker, camera, MP3 player, computer

Q9. 5 things you would never wear?
Shorts - haven't worn them for years, gold lame, tiger print, acrylic jumpers, midriff tops.

Q10. 5 things you hate to do
Get up when it's cold, clean the bathroom, dust, shopping with the girls, pack to go anywhere.

So if you are looking for something to write about this week consider yourself tagged.

Still a bit sick

The girls and I are still slowly recovering from our colds. We are nearly back to normal. I think the worst part the last few days is trying to give them cough medicine. I can't believe how strong willed and physically strong a two year old can be.
So there has been no sewing. These poor little toys have been lying patiently next to my machine waiting to be brought to life - hopefully it will happen soon.

Sick

The last two days has all been about sick children. They just have colds, but they are snotty, whingey, not hungry and therefore quite grumpy. I think tonight might be another night of very interrupted sleep.
The lack of sleep isn't being helped by us moving them out of their cots at the start of the week. Our spare double bed is now in their room and is now their bed. We decided there was just not enough room for 2 single beds and they have been quite happy at my parents sleeping together in their spare double bed. Now we just have to get a new spare double bed or fold out bed for visitors.
We have had wonderful spring weather for a few days this week. Mum and I managed to dig out the vegie patch with a little help from the girls. I wish I had taken a before picture as it was like a jungle.


I received a great parcel this week - some wonderful fabric from A Little Goodness.

Mosaic Monday

1. Maryjane Slippers - brown, peach, burnt orange, 2. Winter meadow bird, detail, 3. Mountain rock and plant, 4. Elephant Thank You, 5. Jack and Sophie 088, 6. wild wood baby sweater complete, 7. Suze, 8. Diamond Pincushion, 9. knit silhouette, 10. Chibi Aimee, 11. Hat, 12. Gocco art- fly away!, 13. Country garden bowl - top view, 14. Peony Gocco Print, 15. squares, 16. embroidery bird

Father's Day

I didn't get around to Flashback Friday this week so I thought I'd combine it with Father's Day. My Dad is gallivanting around the US with some of his friends looking at old tractors and machinery so I'm sure he'll have a wonderful day. This is Dad and me in early 1977 just outside our house.
Our Father's Day here has been pretty relaxed. I bought Chris his favourite ice cream and he is having chilli for dinner, his favourite. The sun is out here. I took the girls for a walk this morning and it smelt and felt like Spring. I hope you are having a great day wherever you are!

Monkey Socks

I think I might be the last person to jump on the Monkey bandwagon. I was just waiting for the right yarn. I wanted something not too bright and not stripey. This skein of Fleece Artist had been in my stash all along. It's perfect, my photography skills are not, so here is my out of focus Monkey sock.

Rainy Sunday

The girls have started to make their own 'cubbies' they are always making them under the table, between chairs or just in the middle of the carpet. The house may look trashed, but at least they are busy and we can sew, read and cook on this rainy Sunday afternoon.
I've just made the perfect rainy day Sunday dinner - Chicken Noodle Soup and the fire is roaring. I've finished some sewing for the shop and tonight I can sit and read (after Kath and Kim of course).

Juta's Stockings

Socks - just in time for the end of winter. From Folk Knitting in Estonia by Nancy Bush. Using Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Old Rose and 2.5mm needles.

Nappy Bag

A nappy bag for my friend Amanda. She wanted one of my favourite colour combinations - brown and aqua. I added lots of pockets on the inside and big pockets on the outside and a mobile phone pocket.

Sun, Grandparents and Sewing

We have had a wonderful weekend of sun and grandparents. The girls are having a huge sleep after playing outside all of yesterday and this morning and my garden has been mowed and pruned. And while this was happening I was sewing - a bit like a dream come true!
I managed a few more things for the shop - some toys and a sewing pouch and I am halfway through a nappy bag for a friend. There has been some trial and error with nappy pockets, mobile phone pockets and sizing but I think it is coming together. Hopefully pictures tomorrow.

Spots, Stitching and Flashback Friday

I received some great mail today. These lovely cards from Tiel and included was this stitched picture of a nesting doll. the girls are in love - it will be going in their room.

We have had a few sunny days here which has meant we can go outside and play. The girls were very busy sorting rocks yesterday.
I found a group shot for Flashback Friday. This was taken at Kindergarten, I think in 1978. I am 4th from the left with the white hair.

Denim

I think I'm going through a denim phase at the moment - it goes so well with everything, just like natural coloured linen. I guess that's why I wear jeans everyday.

Mosaic Monday

The images for today's mosaic are taken from the Sewing with Linen flickr group.

1. Citrus Salad, 2. summer market bags..., 3. back to school notebook, 4. Untitled, 5. Shrooms!, 6. New motive, 7. Fabric Brooch, 8. Sparkle & Shine - Pink, 9. DSCN9862.JPG, 10. the periwinkles, 11. Linen pouch with brooch, 12. New tote, 13. giant giftbag - part of the baby shower gift, 14. Blogstravaganza Clutch Deets, 15. green linen shoes, 16. birdy bag

If you haven't seen Corrie's Retro Mummy Shop definitely check it out. I grabbed this great Lotta Jansdotter book - all about print making.

Flashback Friday

Thanks to everyone who has left comments about the Softies book. I think it will be available in Australia next week, but I don't know about overseas at this stage.
I thought I'd join in with Flashback Friday even though today's theme is fancy dress and we really didn't do much fancy dress growing up. Mum did tend to dress 2 of us the same though. First Gemma and I would get matching outfits and as we grew it would be Gem and Jane. This is me on the left and Gemma on the right in 1977. Yes, very attractive socks. I've just discovered Indiepublic a great site for indie artists and designers of any one who like indie art and design.

MixTape

Just off to read my copy of MixTape that I received in the mail today - it looks amazing and these two giraffes agree.

A little bit excited

I think saying I'm a little bit excited is an unstatement! I just received this amazing book in the mail. I have been racing to the mail box every day after seeing Soozs had received her copy last week. I am so honoured to have my pattern for Hector the giraffe in their alongside such amazing softie designers and makers. It's a fantastic book and I think it is out on Monday.

Some sewing to see

In between building animal lego enclosures and stopping small children from seeing how far they could throw bits of lego I finished a couple more bags. Now we just have to go and find all the lego that was thrown and pack away.

Not much sewing to see here

Not a lot of sewing has been happening around here. I have managed to finish a few custom orders and that is it. Yesterday we all went to Bunbury and my friend Ali came as well so it was kind of a mad rush to get everything done. We did manage to have a nice lunch and it was good to have 3 adults for the 2 children especially when they can spot a postcard size picture of Dorothy the Dinosaur at over 100 metres.
I found some wonderful fabric in Textile Traders, they had lots of Freespirit Fabrics, Robert Kaufmann and Michael Miller.

Spotlight had some 100% cotton spotty fabric - how could I resist red and white spots!

I saw this fantastic idea from JoJo at Stardustshoes for framing these great postcards from applehead. I absolutely had to steal the idea and I framed three for the girls' room.

Spinning and Fibre

I've finished spinning and plying the roving I bought from Ewe give me the Knits which I highly recommend, there is lots of beautiful hand dyed merino and lots of different fibres. I think my spinning is slowly improving and I am doing more of it as the girls don't want to stick their hands in the wheel as it spins around anymore. Although they love to watch and we have to sing 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' quite a lot. Little spinners in the making. I have read so much about Blue Faced Leicester and how easy and nice it is to spin I just had to get some and try for myself. I found some I liked by Sakina Needles on Etsy but them found she had her own site. The colours are amazing - I think the top one is Briar Rose and the bottom one is Smokestack.

Rain

It's raining again - the clothes were nearly dry on the line too. They are all hanging inside now. I'm afraid the girls think we live in a laundry.
There is nothing like a friend giving birth to stop you procrastinating. I had been promising to make her a bag that would go over her shoulders for ages and it's finally done. I used a red corduroy on the outside and a cotton on the inside. This one has an inside pockets and an outside one that I divided into two with yes more bias binding on top of the pocket.

More platypuses - they are always fun to make.

Mosaic Monday

1. VENDIDA, 2. Piggy pouch - detail, 3. Jasmine Tea, 4. New (pink) mobile!, 5. Fiesta, 6. Parque da Liberdade, em Sintra, 7. Gocco butterfly note card- a lone gold butterfly, 8. spring art, 9. teal the windsee, 10. Another view of my 1st attempt at making a brooch, 11. Tags, 12. soft sisters front, 13. Light, 14. "When cows fly...", 15. hopscotch, 16. little creature