Another Apron

My Mexican SIL loved the apron I made for a friend at Christmas from the Pretty Ditty pattern and also the sugar skulls embroidery from Sublime Stitching in Embroidered Effects.

So... I made her an apron with the sugar skulls embroidery. She loved it. And as you can see from the meat juice on it in the next picture, it got plenty of use at her birthday bbq.

Of course I don't have a better full length shot of it because I only finished it as I was supposed to be arriving at the party, as usual it was finish the item, take a couple of close ups and jump in the shower! And if the scale of the finished item doesn't look right, I made the small size and it is not being modeled by the recipient, rather a much taller in stature person.

I made the non-reversible option this time and got my base material from a linen skirt from the op-shop.

I'm still hoping to make myself one of these aprons some day.
Mx

Heartbeat

[image]

Wowee! I had my first appointment with our midwife today, and heard our baby's heart beat for the first time. After managing not to cry I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

At 15 weeks pregnant I'm not really showing yet or feeling anything and was starting to wonder if there really was a baby growing inside me, since the nausea has passed and I'm feeling quite okay (except for getting tired easily), but another heart beat has made it all much more real. I think I must be at the quiet before the storm phase.

By this stage we would have already had one ultrasound in Australia, but DH and I have chosen not to have routine ultrasound after reading the chapter UltraSound Scans - Cause for Concern? in Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Sarah J. Buckley. A book I highly recommend written by an Australian Doctor with 4 of her own children, all of whom where born at home.
Anyway, I was very happy and excited.
Mx

The photo up top there is titled The baby and the heart, IC1805, IC1848 in Cassiopeia from the photostream of Trois Merlettes. It is a photo of two large star nurseries, IC 1848 (top) and IC 1805 (bottom). IC 1805 is kinda heart shaped right? and apparently the baby has so much room in the uterus at this stage it is like floating around in space.

Great Easter craft tutorial and pattern

over at the massively talented Chez Beeper Bebe.

I been in love with the items Holly has in her gorgeous Etsy shop (check out these cute plushie duckies), for a while, and of course her blog. Now Holly has so very generously crafted a pattern and tutorial for an awesome Felt Egg Design Book for some little person in your life for Easter (or in fact any time) that I'm pretty sure would also be quite fun for the not so little.

[image]

Not that I have kids yet, but I'm also guessing this would be a great quiet type toy to keep little darlings occupied while waiting at doctors surgeries and such. Click on over to her blog for the pattern and instructions.

Mx

Fabrics and Quilts

I popped into the fabric store the other week and was seduced by this bundle of Anna Maria Horner flannels.

I am planning on a making it into a baby quilt for the bun in the oven. Only problem is we wont know what we are having until we have it, and there is a heck of a lot of pink in that there bundle. There is also blue, grey and green, but I don't think that will be enough to dilute the pink if we end up having a baby of the male variety.

I was convinced we are having a girl, however my brother's wife has very prophetic dream visions and every time she sees me in her dreams I'm holding a boy baby who's the spitting image of DH. Hmmm.... I could always keep the quilt for myself, those flannels look so soft and snuggly.

And I haven't forgotten about my poor unfinished denim quilt, that perle cotton right up there on top of the bundle is how I plan to get over the problems I've had trying to machine quilt it. I think the king sized monster of a quilt is just too bulky to work nicely with my machine, or my sisters machine, even with the walking foot on and a new denim needle. I've never quilted by hand before, but it has to be better than this.

See that bunching on the back?! argh! I've unpicked it once already, and let me tell you distinguishing between black thread on black fabric can be a little tedious to say the least. Plus in this photo I only made it a little way down, this time I quilted the entire length!

I've never made a big quilt before, have you? how do you quilt them?

Mx

Mosaic

Not terribly exciting, never the less, I am excited to have made my first mosaic of cute things. I love photos of hearts in nature, those two kittens are my favourite. I also love aerial photos and land art, I think I can feel another mosaic coming on.

 1. Heart Strings, 2. good together, 3. My Heart Is Filled...., 4. Untitled

I used this mosaic maker from BigHugeLabs. I do have a couple of crafty things I've been meaning to post, I've just been too lazy to photograph.

Praying for rain

Oh God, please, please, pretty please make it rain. I don't really ask for much but if you could please make those clouds up there pour forth a cool drenching rain that would be ace.

 

When I went to bed after midnight last night it was still 32' C. Which means there was no opening of the windows to let the flat cool down overnight. It's been like this all week and I'm finally at cracking point. I must be, I sent DH a message saying lets buy an air-conditioner, and I HATE air-con. It makes me too cold and the greenie in me worries about all the power usage adding to our climate change issues, plus DH runs hot so he likes to use it ALL the time, even when I am quite comfortable without and think it is totally unnecessary. Having no air-con means we can't fight about weather we have it on or off.

Please God, you don't want us to get an air-conditioner do you?

Mx

Free pattern from Megan Nielson

Ah hello there, yes it has been quite a while since I posted last. I have just not been feeling quite myself these days, probably because one of these gorgeous tops will come in handy in a few months time! DH and I are very excited to be expecting our first baby, Fertility Friend really was my friend.

[image]

Anywho, you can download the pattern for this cute, cute maternity top here from Megan Nielson, who I found through Wardrobe Refashion. Enjoy!

Mx

Evil, evil biscuits

These biscuits are a dieters nightmare, basically pure butter and sugar, but they are so, so good. You have been warned!

I only call them evil, because I am helpless against them. Truly, if I could only ever eat one biscuit again...

They are the Shortbread Biscuits (Fancy) from the Country Women's Association cookbook (p. 247). Basically the recipe calls for equal amounts plain butter and flour, and then a third as much of icing sugar and (now this is what makes it special) custard powder! Four ingredients and that's it.

Then just cream together the butter and sugar, and add the sifted flour and custard powder. Form into small balls and flatten with a fork. Bake to a pale brown in a moderate oven. You can then sandwhich two biscuits together with "butter icing flavoured with vanilla". I could not find butter icing amongst the recipes in the CWA cookbook, but rang DH's family aunty who makes these as her speciality, and really she just uses icing sugar with water, maybe with a little softened butter. I just had to add the water slowly to get the right consistancy, and I forgot the vanilla. But it didn't hurt these little babies one little bit.

Mx

I love a train ride

[image - WikiVisual]

So I'm pretty excited about catching The Prospector to Kalgoorlie tomorrow. Eight hours on the train! I'll be meeting my sister there to transport home a darling little staffy puppy for my brothers two little girls.

have a great weekend, next week I'll post the most delicious biscuits EVER! I'm not kidding.

Mx

A Very Happy New Year

 

 [rice paddies]

[Cornerstore*]

2010 is going to be a wonderful year. I know I'm a bit late with the New Year business but we've just spent the last two weeks soaking up some very needed R&R in Bali (DH works very hard).

We landed early this morning and I am so very excited to be HOME. There is nothing sweeter than disgorging from the airport and smelling the clean, dry air of home. Tropical climates are nice to visit for a little while... but going away always reminds how much I love Australia and just how lucky I am to live here. I'm so much more a home-body than a traveller, two weeks is just about a week too long for me.

There are other things I've missed while away, like my MacBook and my blog reader, which is now very full! I have some serious catching up to do there :), my little vege garden, our own bed (I didn't miss my pillow because it goes with me everywhere), being able to make my own food, the internet, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, I am glad to be home and looking forward to a magical year.

Mx

*the Cornerstore in Seminyak where I bought a cute hat and drank the water and didn't get sick

Avatar

Originally uploaded by OfficialAvatarMovie

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

(image)

 

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