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DH and I went and saw Avatar on cheap tuesday with friends. DH had already seen it with a mate and said we'd definitely be buying it as soon as it is available, so I knew he loved it, and then I LOVED IT! such a great movie, and the imagery is amazing. So much detail in the animation, so much that it doesn't even feel like animation.

Really, if you haven't seen it yet, do your self a favour, grab your date or best mate, your kids, your parents, anybody and go SEE it! in 3D if you can spring for it.

And Happy New Year

Mx

Eye Mask

These are also a Christmas present which I must wrap so I can give belatedly tonigh.

They are for a friend's husband who's current favourite eye mask is really beyond its last legs. The elastic has lost its stretch and has been knotted so tight it gives him a headache while he sleeps. I feel my stroke of genius came when I sewed in the ribbon, so when this elastic looses it stretch it should be an easy operation to cut it out and add new.

If I'd thought about it while I was making them I would have photographed each step and posted a tutorial. It may happen yet, when I was trying it on last night to show DH he requested one for himself, so looks like there will be another in the making.

Mx

Christmas Crafting

Christmas is now over and I can show you what I was making.

This is the Pretty Ditty Apron by Jamie Christina (who I've gushed about before) modelled by its new owner. I bought the pattern a few months ago and this is my first attempt. I have to say I love the way it turned out, and I love the colours together.

I made the reversible option so it is quite substantial and would just about keep you warm in winter. I haven't sewn gathers before and they did trip me up a couple of times, but I think they are so worth it and really what makes this apron.

I will definitely be making this pattern again, my SIL saw it before it was wrapped (actually she wrapped it beautifully for me - thanks Lili) and wants one, and hopefully I'll get around to making one for myself. Once I traced the pattern and cut out the fabric it took me two solid days of sewing. Now that I'm familiar with the pattern I'm expecting I'd be able to crank one out in a day if I really applied myself.

In other Christmas crafting news the nieces liked their dresses and both would have been worn on the day except that I didn't make the head hole big enough on the little one. I also half finished a crochet necklace for one SIL (which I will post when finished) and I made a pin cushion for my other SIL (which I forgot to photograph).

I hope you all had safe and happy Christmas's

Mx

Fertility Friend

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You wouldn't be able to tell that Christmas was approaching from my blog posts (except for the 2 Christmas present dresses) but now that it is the day before Christmas (Christmas Eve Day?) I really am quite excited.

Another thing I am really very excited about is my new friend - fertilityfriend.com. I posted early on that DH and I are wanting to start our family. No luck just yet, and I was starting to get a little concerned, then I found this online resource that makes your charting pretty effortless (it does it for you), and gives you a little lesson in your inbox for 20 days. Now I know what I'm looking for and what it means. I feel so happy that I've seen my chart follow the 'normal' pattern, am much more aware of our fertility window and can plan accordingly.

And not to worry if your chart is less than normal, fertilityfriend can still analyse your data and give advise of your most fertile days. So if anyone else out there has been trying to fall pregnant and wants to know a little more about their fertility cycle I highly recommend this tool. It's given me renewed confidence and great information. Happy baby making and Merry Christmas.

Mx

baby jumpers

Cute little jumpers that are both ready to be given to the OT department of my old university. They are collecting them for what they call 'fish & chip' babies in Africa, the story will break your heart. Apparently there is a practice of sending home poor babies (a lot of them with AIDS) wrapped in newspaper to keep them warm because there is no clothing for them, hence the name fish & chip babies.

Part of me can't believe that one of the most precious things in this world, new born human life, is being sent home in newsprint. I hope the little ones that get sent home in these woolly jumpers can feel the love that went into every stitch. My Mum and my sister are making little jumpers as well, if anybody wants the details, I can send the pattern and the story. They are very easy and quick to knit up in 8 ply, totally suitable for the beginner, its also a good chance to use some bright colours, because that is specifically what's being asked for.

Mx

bug catcher

 
well, even though it doesn't feel like summer over here on the west coast, the flies have arrived. I love leaving the door to the balcony open, but I think it is now time to firmly close the security fly-screen.

I don't appreciate flies in the house, yet I wont spray chemicals into my breathing space and I can't bring myself to kill them anyway. We do have a fly swatter, which hubby will wield while I try to catch and release (he is trying to kill, not sheppard them over my way).

This was one lucky fly I caught yesterday, now I just have to catch his friend. My bug catching equipment of choice is an old plastic container from a (16?) pack of ferrero rocher. It works surprisingly well, the trick is to remember that flies will jump up and back before flying off, so aim for that spot above them/or to the side which ever it may be and you will have so much more luck.

Mx
I hope the photo wasn't too much of an icky shock

Handmade Christmas present No.2

 

Now niece no.1 is taken care of as well. This was a pillowcase, but I forgot to take a before picture. A very simple refashion.

I simply cut off the edge flanges, sewed side seams, hemmed the bottom, made a casing for the elastic around the chest and use the material from the flanges to make the shoulder straps. I also used the material from the  flap on the back of the pillowcase to make the little shoulder ruffle.

I think the shoulder ruffle is my favourite part. But I also like the embroidery and the little pleats with the ribbon, and the lovely linen fabric, which is why I picked it up from the op-shop. This is the first ruffle I have ever made, I made my own little template and everything. I loved them so much before the elastic was inserted into the straps. They just looked so sweet. For some reason they don't have the same appeal to me with the elastic in.

But this is a Christmas present, and we'll have to wait for a fitting, so I thought the elastic would allow for less precise sizing and help the shoulder straps stay up. Nothing worse than having to keep pulling your straps up when you're running around having a good time.

I hope you are getting through any handmade gifts you have on your list.

Mx

For an hour on the weekend

I sat by the river, chasing the shade across the beach, while DH chased the wind with his kite. I have to say, he is getting very good.

This is only one of the books I took with me. Also in the pile were Alice in Wonderland, which I am reading for the first time for our newly formed book club. You just never know exactly what you might feel like reading, so a treck down the beach with a bag that is unnecessarily heavy it is...

Mx

Handmade Christmas Present No. 1

I really better get a wriggle on if I want to make everything on my list. I have at least finished one thing, and I just have to attach shoulder straps to Handmade Christmas Present no.2 for niece no.1.

this cute little number is for niece no.2. It started life as an op-shop pillowcase. The elastic button close and vintage button are both from my Mum's stash. How I love that button. This took me so much longer than it should have, but I work like that. Slow and Steady! I posted it previously here and here.

You know, I think these may actually be the first pockets I've ever made, so I used this pocket tutorial by Made by Rae. I'm very happy with them, I cant decide if they are my favourite thing about the dress, or that adorable button, or the binding. I just love the whole thing, but that button makes me smile on the inside (and outside) every time I see it.

Dress no.2 coming soon (I hope)

Mx

Happy Anniversary

It was one year ago today that we stood on the wind sculpted rocks at Red Bluff with two of our best friends* and exchanged vows. Thank you for making me a very happy woman. Happy Anniversary baby xx.

*we had a double wedding so our two friends were actually exchanging vows also. Happy Anniversary C+C.

Mx

North Fremantle

 

I went walking with a friend yesterday (because I'm the type of girl that will sit on my bum all day reading blogs if not for an exercise buddy) and I walked down streets I have never walked down before. I love that. I also loved this little bit of whimsy on the front of a fibro house we walked past. So much detail in there. I wish I could have taken a better photo for you but alas, I have no idea where my camera is and fear I may have lost it, so its all iPhone these days, sorry.

There was also a sweet little dog that came out of one of the other homes to say hello and get some stranger love. He totally fit the profile for the kind of dog I want to get too. Lucky owners, lucky I'm not the dog napping type! but I wish I'd thought to take his photo.

Mx

block party

I'm much more of a dry landscape type of girl so this picture makes me very happy. It's a photo of our country block. We went there on the weekend and celebrated it's purchase. This is what it looked like before 30 people arrived and flattened the grass with tents and cars.

We had such a great time. We wont be moving out of the flat any time soon, but plans are afoot. I am very much looking forward to planting the family fig tree.

Hope you all had a great weekend full of friends and fun.

Mx

from pink to green

I wondered perhaps if there would be a colour change from washing my attempt at natural dying with an enzyme laundry powder. Guess what? there sure was. Now I know how to make green!

I didn't rinse the dye solution out before hanging the dress to dry and I think this is the reason for the unevenness of the pink. Not to worry, a bit of bleach and we're back to square one. I've since gone and bought a packet of pink dye. I think this will give me more of the brightness of colour I have in mind for this dress anyway.

It was a fun experiment and I will give it another go some time. The flat certainly smelt lovely with all of those roses boiling away on the stove.

Mx

Natural dyeing

I'm trying to hand make most of my Christmas gifts this year and on my list is two dresses each for both of my beautiful nieces. I have started one of them, made from a pillowcase from the op-shop. As I figured white is not a very practical colour for kids and the fabric had yellowed, I thought I would dye the dress pink.

I did a little bit of internet research for dye, looking for a better and cheaper option than I could get from the supermarket. Nothing really came up but I did find this great page on natural dying. Apparently both roses and lavender can be used to make pink dye. So I collected my flowers and tried my luck tonight. The dress is hanging out to dry on the balcony and I am excited/nervous to see how it turns out.

Mx

Finished project

(mostly finished anyway) I know I posted about these curtains ages ago, and they have been finished and hanging for a while... but here they are. I am so very happy with them and think they make our bedroom a much calmer space now we don't have the contents of our wardrobes on display.

Here is the progression of our wardrobe system since we moved in earlier this year.

hhm, not very effective, or attractive

more effective, but still not attractive

ahh, so much better. Clutter begone!.. or at least hide away behind a curtain!

Now this is what I see...

from our front door (excuse the Mr's kite board)

and from our bed

I love it so, now I just need to convince the Mr to close the curtains when he opens them.

Mx

Feed Your Soul

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Free art! I'm not kidding. I ran across this yesterday (if only I could remember from whence I arrived there I would give credit to the cool blogger who posted about it). It is an Indiefixx initiative to get affordable art (free is my favourite kind of affordable) into the hands of the populace in these interesting economic times, and help artists promote their work. Go check it out, you wont be sorry. The only problem you may have is leaving some blank space on your walls. I've already picked out my faves.

Mx

My Place & Yours

Blog HQ is this weeks theme. I wouldn't call the couch much of a headquarters, but it is where I do nearly all my blog surfing. Unless its a delicious weekend morning... then it would be in bed, with my laptop and the vegemite toast DH makes me.

You can see the first ever quilt I made hanging over the back of the couch, and 1/4 of an inch in my blog reader.

Head on over to meet me at mike's to see who else is playing.

Mx

Sunday Quote

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I heard (or saw?) this quote yesterday, and I love it.

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on"

- Franklin D. Roosevelt


ah, now I remember where I saw it. here, where that cool photo of that monkey's fist above came from. Again the Bone's of a Poet Flickr group. Snapped by snaps+ink, you can also check out her blog newly nested.

My Place & Yours

Playing along again this week with Pip from meet me at mike's. The theme... bedside. I thought about not playing this week as my bedside is embarrassingly uninspiring. Then I saw it this morning, with the contents of my knitting bag stacked on the window sill above my bed, it was at least a little crafty looking. I'd love for this to be a show and tell blog of all the cool stuff I make. Reckon I need to pick up the pace... I have been finishing stuff though. I'll get around to photographing and posting soon. Head over to meet me at mikes's to see who else is playing.

Mx

Homework

A little up close, but...


This is one of the photos I took this week as part of my assignment for the 'Bones of a Poet' e-course. It's as brave as I could be for a self portrait. I'm never sure what to describe my eye colour as. What would you say?

Sunday Quote

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"Love is giving without remembering.

Receiving without forgetting"
- Marianne Williamson
A Return to Love

the above image is from the Bones of a Poet group pool for this week, and is one of my favourites. So lovely.

Mx

On the shelf

I am playing along with meet me a mikes 'My Place & Yours'. This is my first play along, and the theme this week, On the Shelf.

Here is part of our wedding present from my parents.


They are by Fremantle ceramics artist Fleur Schell. DH and I actually had a tussle over this, I wanted something meaningful, something we would pass on to our children, he thought we should ask for something practical, like a dishwasher. I'm glad I won, I think he is too.

[don't look too closely, I have to dust]

All the houses I've visited and really loved have been artist's homes. I think they have a lovely feel, and I think part of that must be all the art they have in them. I started buying art quite late, but now I love it. I don't have a lot, but I would like to own a piece by all of the artists that I know personally. Fleur is the Mr's cousin.

Mx

Spoilt Rotten

So, I turned 33 the other day. And all the people I love, indulged me in my book obsession. This is just the start of it. My parents bought be a couple of sewing books plus Wary Meyers' Tossed & Found. A couple of dear friends found a book combining my green bent and parenthood, and my darling Husband and a good chunk of the rest of my friends combined their powers to get me 600 US spankers to blow on Amazon!! I think I might just be the happiest girl on the planet.

Now, I just have one small issue of limited book storage in a one bedroom flat... however, I shan't let that trifling matter concern me. Any favourite book suggestions out there?

Mx

Laverton

The beautiful old Coach House in Laverton, sadly in neglect. The clouds were magical on the flight up here, like stationary ocean waves.

Mx

Wildflowers

We had a great weekend looking at wildflowers around Moora, and then we topped it all off by camping at the beach. I would just like to point out my loud hiking boots that I picked up at the op-shop for $6. When I first showed them to DH, I got the vibe he was hoping I wouldn't wear them in public (but I think they rock!).

I also thought the hex paving at the wildflower farm was pretty cool. I am currently trying to figure out how I can make my everyday life have that carefree feeling that goes with camping. I think part of it is spending a lot of time out doors. Its good for the soul.

Mx