fede + design + textiles

sunday | cricket + fairies

2012-02-13T23:15:00.000+11:00

Yesterday afternoon we packed our bags and jumped on the train to the city (Adelaide, South Australia) where we parted ways - his and hers.

The boys turned left up King William Street and joined the swarming green and gold crowd heading to the cricket - a one day match between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval. I felt excited for Sachin as it was his first time to such a big event. In typical Sachin style he took it all in his stride and gave me the "what's the big deal Mum?" look. We have been talking about his namesake, Sachin Tendulkar batting for India, but unfortunately he didn't play. Now I wasn't there, but rumour has it that there was not much cricket watched but plenty of colourful people and atmosphere to soak up. The photos seem to support that story.

We ladies continued along North Terrace and took a left turn into the South Australian Museum, where we spent the next hour on a guided tour with Miss Ruby. She seems to have a strange fascination with an archaeology exhibit displaying the many layers of the earth's floor, in particular, the layer of rubbish that has been left behind over the last 10,000 years. Along the way we "didn't" look at the giant squid 7 times because it is very scary, but seemed to keep passing it. Ruby conjured up enough braveness to check out the Egyptian room for the first time but kind of freaked out over the mummies. Can't blame her, they are quite spooky, especially when you are a big Scooby Doo fan with a vivid imagination! In need of food, we hit the lawn out front of the Museum for snacks and let little Quinn out of her stroller to stretch her legs.

Fuelled and ready to go again, the next stop was the Botanical Gardens. We were on a mission to find the Rainbow Fairies. Apparently, our friend Lexie has seen them there. We inspected many flowers, looked under rocks, in holes, under leaves and in the trees. We even checked out the giant water lillies but those fairies were not ready to be seen. However as we left the gardens to go home, Ruby whispered to me that she did see one of the fairies. Bet you can't guess which one?!?!?

Yep. It was Ruby the Red Fairy. "For real" !!

I did make these 9 months ago

2012-02-12T23:09:00.000+11:00

So you will have noticed that my irregular posts have morphed to almost non existent. Sorry about that. Sorry me. I really would love to be chatting here, reading what you have all been up to and generally keeping in touch with the world, but it just ain't happening. While attempting to finish Quinn's "first 6 months" memory book (you may get to see this one day), I found the following pics and realised that there are things that I have accomplished in the last 10 months (in addition to raising a beautiful happy baby girl) which I haven't managed to ~~brag about~~, oops, share yet!

Bassinet and cot sheets made from thrifted sheets (except the middle image, which is an Anna Maria Horner fabric from the Folksy Flannel range, called Fortune in colour Marine)

{ this moment }

2012-02-02T23:27:00.000+11:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments at Soule Mama for all to find and see.

5 years ago today.....

2011-12-13T16:14:00.000+11:00

... a little baby with lots of hair began life and entered our world.

Today, that boy of ours (still with lots of hair) celebrates his 5th birthday.

Happy Birthday Sachin. We love you!

How does a 5 year old spend his birthday? Making Lego of course!

fede stocking stuffers (candy cane rattles)

2011-11-28T21:06:00.001+11:00

These little candy cane rattles are now available online. Perfect for baby's first Christmas, they can chew, slobber and jingle to their hearts content. I've only made a handful so get in quick - they are a bargain at US$14.

rockin' the peg bag

2011-11-24T10:39:00.001+11:00

...cause that's what I do.... hang out lots of washing!

I think I missed my call as a peg bag model. Ho Ho Ho...oh so hilarious Fiona! (sleep deprived humour). So anyway, I made myself a new peg bag as the old one disintegrated. Found this plastic coated fabric at Ikea which will hopefully withstand some of the outside elements for at least a season. I'm a big fan of the shoulder peg bag - much easier than using a go to basket. In fact I've even convinced DH to whip it over his shoulder when he's at the line...mmmm...must get a photo of that :)

just because it's not Halloween..

2011-11-16T23:03:00.001+11:00

We know it's not Halloween... meh..missed that one (well we don't really celebrate it much here in Australia) but tonight after school we accidentally fell into a ghoulish type theme. Completely impromptu. On walking back to the car from school we passed a school mate's little brother with a Spiderman painted face. During our drive home it was decided that Mum would face paint this evening... and Mum begrudgingly agreed! Admittedly once we got started it was fun and I got into the spirit. I think the painted finger nails just topped it off and kept the customers happy.

On Monday I found out that a friend who I hadn't seen for a couple of years had passed away after being diagnosed with leukaemia only 8 months earlier. Like me, she had 3 children (almost identical ages) who have lost their devoted mother in the saddest of circumstances. She discovered her illness 3 weeks prior to giving birth to her youngest son and was consequently isolated from him for the first 3 months of his life. It has absolutely shocked me beyond belief that this could happen to a beautiful young woman in the prime of her life with so much love to give and receive from her growing family. It seems that almost everything I do throughout the day reminds me of Nicole and the loss that must be felt by her family. It's a reminder that life really must be lived each day to the fullest as you never know if it will be your last. On that note, I decided to take the kids bowling on Monday night after school which is not something we would usually do on a week night. As Nicole would have said, "it was ace!" Rest in peace lovely lady.

something little | pop up shop

2011-11-16T11:10:00.001+11:00

I'm preparing to take part in this adorable new market kicking off in Melbourne at the Clubhouse Canteen on November 27th. Maria and Tiffany are the lovely ladies behind the concept and they have gathered a collection of artists/makers who celebrate childhood, motherhood and sisterhood in their work. Visit the Something Little facebook page or blog for more information about the day and who will be there.

So if you know peoples in Melbourne then please spread the word and tell them all about it!

{ this moment } a day late!

2011-11-12T10:35:00.001+11:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments at Soule Mama for all to find and see.

in the mail....

2011-11-11T14:43:00.001+11:00

You know I love parcels. Yesterday's mail was exciting.

Firstly I opened an envelope to find this stunning printed fabric so beautifully packaged from Belinda Kemp (aka gretchenmist). My desk is covered in all things blue and green at the moment so these fabrics continue the theme.

The other letter that came in the mail was from the school to say that Sachin is due to start his transition visits in 2 weeks. Awwwww... my little boy going to school! How did that come around so fast? I recall having a conversation a couple of months ago with another mum and saying that I really questioned whether he would be ready to go when he turned five. It's amazing how all of the sudden they develop emotionally and seem so much older in the last term of Kindergarten.

I remember exactly the same thing happening with Ruby before she started school. So young Sachin will be celebrating his 5th birthday in a few weeks and no surprises here, it's going to be a Lego party (remember the t-shirt). No complaints from me. I think it sounds like super fun and there are a stream of ideas running through my head! I've just ordered some of these for the party (favor) bags - aren't they great :)

buying handmade for christmas

2011-11-05T10:29:00.000+11:00

Last year I had planned to make Christmas gifts but my pregnancy fatigue had other plans! Just incase that happens again (oh no not the pregnancy bit... but the lack of production) I have a backup plan. Shop handmade.

Here's a couple of links showcasing great handmade gift ideas and beautiful online shops where you will be able to find something for everyone on your list.

Irene of the amazing Bloesem Blogs (seriously good reading) has put together her Bloesem Kids 2011 Gift Guide.

Magdalena Orlik has been curating this gallery of Etsy Designers and their shops on her Design Dot Team blog.

Happy Shopping!

mini design dots

2011-10-27T22:53:00.000+11:00

You can't go past Etsy for a spurt of design inspiration and examples of handmade with love. Sometimes the process of sifting through the... well.....bland stuff... can test your patience, but when you find a piece of "gold" it can lift the spirits. Then you pop that beauty in your favourites file to realise it is for looking only.... sadly and most likely not for keeps! sigh....

Never the less, go on, head over here and enjoy some faux shopping.

fede shop update

2011-10-26T21:38:00.000+11:00

There's a handful of new toys (soft baby tools with rattles) available for sale here

big flowery brooch

2011-10-26T11:15:00.000+11:00

I do try to make presents when I can. Sometimes it just doesn't happen, but last weekend it did!

This big orange brooch is for my friend Jac who loves orange. I know it's quite big but she has a super fantastic big personality to match. Happy birthday sweetie!

If you are in Adelaide and looking for something to do this weekend, you could see Jac (Jackie Yeo) performing as Janis Joplin at Woodstock Revisited 2011 on Sunday October 30th at Rymill Park. Get out your hippie gear and come along for a boogie!

my olive thumb

2011-10-23T11:01:00.000+11:00

No longer a brown thumb, but not yet a green thumb. I'm describing myself as an olive thumb - according to wikepedia, olive is a kind of muddy green color. I'm learning to be a better gardener and thoroughly enjoying the process. I've lost my share of plants and there is sure to be more fatalities, but on the flip side, I can see some of my hard work thriving. Yay. I'm really appreciating spring from a new perspective and getting excited by the growth. I'm discovering that gardening is not for the impatient (unless you have loads of $$ to buy mature plants and trees) and also realising that I probably wouldn't want to do it that way even if I had the cash, as it has been rewarding watching it come together slowly. It's like a painting - evolving over time - responding to my moods and colour choices on different days. Several plants have already been moved or removed because they grow into the wrong shape, are too big, too small, or the wrong colour, or don't like the wind or not enough sun, or too much sun. Man! There is so much to think of! Ah.....so many wonderful things to learn.

Here's a pictorial journey of one of our projects in the south east corner of our yard. Our house sits smack bang in the middle of the plot so we have four distinct corners to landscape. We are slowly working our way around :)

february 2009 - looking back up at the house from the
south east corner of the yard

january 2009 - south east back corner of our yard

april 2009 - demolished the old shed and wall

july 2009 - new fences (not my favourite style but
to match existing)

may 2010 - new paving, retaining walls and turf

october 2010 - planting begins

september 2011 - planting continues

{ this moment }

2011-10-21T16:25:00.000+11:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments at Soule Mama for all to find and see.

#39 Camp in our tent (at least one night)

2011-10-20T15:36:00.000+11:00

If you have managed and/or bothered to follow the haphazard progress of my 40 before 40 challenge then you have done extremely well! It was very random I know. Anyway, this if another task that I can cross off the list. But first, I do need to fess up and be honest about things, you see, I am 40 now. Let that one slide by very quietly - life was a bit hectic with a new baby and all - so effectively the challenge is over. Finished. Completed. Have I reported the results? Nope. But I will! Just humour me for a little longer... you're so kind. Thanks.

So getting back to it. Number 39, Camp in our tent (at least one night). When I wrote this list I was pregnant and to be truthful questioned whether this one was going to happen - hence the "at least one night" clause which would enable the tent to be set up in the back yard for a trial sleep over. So that didn't happen before the end of the challenge, but a couple of months later we got to experience the real deal. It was awesome!

DH and I, in our previous life pre children, purchased a camper trailer and took to the road for 3 months for a super adventure. Not the seasoned campers at the time we learnt a lot along the way and by the end could proudly say we were converted. There is something about camping that leaves behind the stresses of everyday life and welcomes relaxation and a carefree spirit. Back to today and the big question on our lips..... would this still be true with 3 children in tow??

Absolutely! Why did we wait so long?

KCWC 2011 | Unicorn Dress

2011-10-16T21:47:00.000+11:00

I did it! Finished Ruby's dress thanks to DH for giving me this morning to spend in my sewing room, while he cooked a yummy hot breakfast. This beautiful fabric has been in my stash for a couple of years in which time 6 year old daughter has been eyeing it off. It was a set of vintage curtains - rubber backed and all! I had planned to use it for toys or cushions but that would have broken her heart. So here it is, in it's glory, re purposed and brought back to life as a pretty girly dress, using the "Dress with Ruffle Trim" pattern from the book Carefree Clothes for Girls.

This was the most technically challenging item of clothing I have made and it taught me a few new processes. I had never lined a dress before, never created ruffles and never cut my own binding. In the past I would have avoided a pattern with this amount of detail thinking I wouldn't have the patience to follow it through to the end. I'm discovering that working from a pattern can actually be fun.

Thanks Meg for organising the Kids Clothes Week Challenge again this year. I (and my kids) are ever so thankyou for your "kick up the bum" every six months to encourage sewing productivity in our house... love yer work :)

KCWC | 90 minute shirt

2011-10-15T10:33:00.000+11:00

This is the second 90 minute shirt I've made and sadly it didn't fit quite as well as the first version. I'm sure if I had the time and inclination to tweak it a bit more I could eventually get my pattern to fit better. The actual making of the shirt is really very simple and would take no time at all once you knocked out a few - it's getting the neckline shape that takes the time. Anyways, the boy is super dooper happy with the finished product (infact it could look and fit like a dog's breakfast and he'd still be happy because it has his all time favourite thing on the front). I've gone with a raw look by keeping the edges un-hemmed and purposely made my running stitch around the arms and neckline a little wonky.... seriously ...it's the grunge look!

So there's one day left to finish the KCWC and I have one more item to make for child number 3 which is very ambitious given the time, but I'll give it a go. Be back in a couple of days.

In the meantime check out what the other KCWC sewers have been up to in the flickr group.

half way day

2011-10-13T21:44:00.000+11:00

We're celebrating two half ways today. Happy 1/2 Birthday to Quinn! 6 months already. Wow! I have to tell you this little girl is just the loveliest old soul around. Happy and content with her lot, she intently watches the never ending entertainment going on around her and always gives big smiles to her brother and sister, even if they unintentionally handle her a little too rough ;) We have just started solids and it brings me so much happiness to see her sitting in the high chair. Time flies and I just want to soak up the joy she brings and remember it for the rest of my life. I guess taking a million photos a day may help to capture some of the memories my mind loses! I know... I'm an old sop... sorry .....it's just she is (probably) my last baby!

The other half way is the KCWC (Kids Clothes Week Challenge) of which I'm not as far progressed as I would have hoped, but I do have something to show! Technically I think they may not be "Clothes" as such but they are worn by a kid so I think that's gonna be close enough.

My first attempt at making shoes using this tutorial and pattern. Not as difficult as I had imagined (although I did make one shoe 3 times.... ) and I will absolutely be making more - great gift idea I think. Strangely enough I just happened to have this purple leather in my fabric stash (past thrift shop purchase) but had no other suede on hand (and the leather was too thick to double) so I opted to line them in a wool felt instead after seeing this version. If you have looked close enough you will notice that I attached the LH sole to the RH shoe and visa versa! Doh! Buckles on the inside :) Yeah well after already making the first shoe 3 times I just couldn't be faffed doing it again. I'm hoping she won't notice ....

{ this moment }

2011-09-30T13:40:00.001+10:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments at Soule Mama for all to find and see.

and breath

2011-09-25T21:58:00.000+10:00

I've had a couple of exhausting weeks - the type that wear you down. Suck your energy until there is none left. There have been tears and there have been tantrums - both from me and the kids! But you know that's all part of being a Mum - we suck it up and spit it out... yeah yeah... bring it on!

We in our house are all hanging out for next weekend. It's a long one, and the start of the school holidays and our first foray into family camping (two children and a baby - no the dogs didn't get a guernsey this time...sorry boys). DH arrived home tonight after an 80 hour week at work (poor guy) so it will be just nice to see him!

Hopefully this week there may be a little more interaction between me and my friend Bernina. I stood her up on several occasions last week in favour of trashy night time telly. Sorry babe. I don't know what I was thinking! However, I am now excited about Meg's next Kids Clothes Week Challenge coming up in October. If you'd like to spend a week making some mini clothes (or vicariously enjoy the process through others) head over to Elsie Marley to check it out.

{ this moment }

2011-09-24T00:05:00.005+10:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments at Soule Mama for all to find and see.

ruby's 6 year old birthday party

2011-09-22T20:50:00.000+10:00

It twas a gathering of witches and wizards (fairies, superheroes, princesses and turtles) for an extraordinary celebration.

Ruby is mad for Harry Potter and requested a party to suit. We generalized it into a witches and wizards type party to accommodate the 6 year old crowd. She was happy with that, particularly as Mum promised to kit her out as Hermoine Grainger. Yay Mum!

Ruby as Hermoine Grainger from Harry Potter. The shirt and skirt were op-shop finds (thrifted) as was the tie which then received a dodgy gold paint job. The robe I made the night before using this simple tutorial

Broomstick Take Home bags (Favours)

"How many kids fit on 1 trampoline" impromptu game while waiting for everyone to arrive

Hali's magic show

Ruby is not big on sweets so we made individual witches hat cupcakes (with the Harry Potter lightening scar) for each child to take home

We played our version of the "Sorting Hat" scene from Harry Potter. In turn, each child sat on the chair and picked a card from a brown paper bag. The talking hat (AKA DH) then announced in a funny voice which house the mini witch/wizard would belong to. We used the Hogwarts House names - Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff

Egg and spoon race

Another impromptu game (DH was running this part of the party) titled "see how far you can throw the boiled egg" Of course the kids thought it was hilarious!

first quilt attempt

2011-09-19T21:15:00.000+10:00

I've been admiring and bookmarking so many gorgeous quilt creations on the web for a long time now. Quilting is not something I have tried before - not through lack of interest - more the fact that it requires commitment and patience. Not my best attributes these days. Infact, I joked to DH last night that fussy, pedantic Fiona has morphed into slap dash Fiona! How did that happen? Oh yeah, life got busy.
The funny thing is how I happened to be making this here quilt. Not planned, just accidental and on a whim. Yeah baby, that's how it goes these days. Out on a Saturday morning with the kids sport, I left hubby and took baby Quinn for a walk. On our travels I found myself meandering through Tricia's Discount Fabrics and deciding that the collection of random fabrics I had in my hand would become a playmat. So here it is. Random. No technique. Making it up as I go along!

my distraction

2011-08-03T21:40:00.001+10:00

And I wonder why I'm just not getting things done?? This might give you an understanding of my predicament..... sit in front of computer and write blog entry.... or... mmm..... gaze at my smiley 16 week old daughter.....

There you have it.

textures. textiles. tactile.

2011-07-04T17:01:00.001+10:00

handmade toy sale... bag a bargain!

2011-07-02T22:07:00.001+10:00

Today it bit me.... you know....the "I need to start creating again" bug. If you add the almost 12 weeks since Quinn was born to another 6 months prior of pregnancy fatigue, you get a long period of little action in the sewing room. On inspection, my poor neglected Etsy store had 3 items left for sale as the rest of the stock had expired and dropped off. My friend De recently enquired about a few hammer rattles for baby gifts and on inspection I discovered a box of finished toys and a handful of WIPs waiting on my desk. Sitting here today, my hands felt all twitchy as my eyes excitedly reconnected with the neatly stacked fabric on the shelves (an obvious sign that there has been little love here since relocating my sewing room to make way for Quinn's Nursery). My heart raced and my palms felt sweaty! It was time. Time to reconnect with my old Bernina 730.

Also time to clear out some stock and make way for new creations that are wanting to be released from my head. Hence the SALE that commenced this afternoon in my online shop. Everything is 20% off until sold. In the next few weeks I hope to be listing a batch of new designs in the shop for a fresh new look.

To answer a few frequent questions.

Yes, I ship worldwide. Prices are quoted under each listing in my online store
The shipping/postage price is the same flat rate for up to 3 toys (the more you buy the better value)
All prices quoted are in US dollars
Everything is handmade by me
Fabrics are a combination of new & vintage
Custom designs can be made but these are not included in this sale

Hammers and Spanners ~~$20~~ now $16 each + postage

Tool Sets ~~$38~~ now $30.40 + postage

First Utensils ~~$50~~ now $40 + postage (other colours available - please drop me a line to enquire)

Forks N Spoons ~~$36~~ now $28.80 + postage

First Lollipops ~~$20~~ now $16 each + postage

Fairy Wands ~~$20~~ now $16 each + postage

Creatures ~~$35~~ now $28 each + postage

will we won't we?

2011-06-29T12:59:00.002+10:00

Just got back from a few days in Melbourne where we managed to squeeze in.... a night out at The Burlesque Hour, shopping in the city, visits to the Melbourne and Scienceworks museums, lunch in Federation Square, walking, playing and ferris wheeling at Birrarung Marr, dinner and sleepover with friends, a stroll around Williamstown and breakfast at the highly recommended Duchess cafe in Spotswood. Thanks Auntie Loz and Heather for kindly making room for all of us in your home! We love Melbourne..... ***sigh***

Note to myself for future reference. We spent a great deal of discussion time talking about the pros and cons of relocating back to Melbourne (where we lived for 6 years and returned to our home town of Adelaide 3 years ago). In summary, we concluded that the positives and joy of extended family (parents/grandparents) around us out-way the thrill of living in the big city at this stage in our life. The return to Melbourne shall be something to ponder again perhaps in a few years.

#19 quinn's (mid-century inspired) nursery

2011-06-16T20:53:00.000+10:00

#16 Introducing.... Quinn Alice

2011-04-23T12:16:00.002+10:00

Quinn Alice arrived on April 13th 2011.

We are now 10 days into our new adventure as a family of five. So far Miss Quinn is proving to be the cruisiest of our three newborns and has consequently slotted into the family like she has always been here. The sleep deprivation third time around for me seems to be more tolerable - infact I'm strangely enjoying those quiet moments in the middle of the night when it is just her & I.... sigh...

Now if I can just sort out a few dodgy boob things with the feeding we'll be sweet!

Oh and this means I've accomplished number 16 on my 40 before 40 list.

lazy weekend

2011-04-09T13:58:00.000+10:00

Head over here to check out these lovely items of gorgeousness you can find for your lazy weekends. I'm loving those yellow handmade boots .... yum yum.... would be perfect for a mum with newborn slothing around the house.... anyone got a spare $475???? Yeah, that could pose a small problem. Oh well, a girl can dream ....sigh.....

Hope you're having a super weekend.

2 weeks to go....

2011-04-01T21:56:00.001+11:00

We just can't wait to meet our new family member!

express yourself

2011-03-30T22:31:00.000+11:00

Miss Ruby is 5 and has inherited her mothers feisty temper. As an adult I have learned to control my blow (most of the time) but young Ruby is struggling to manage her emotions and frustrations. Just 2 terms into school, she is tired and over stimulated when she comes home which at times ends with irrational & angry behaviour.

Yesterday afternoon was one of those moments. Sent outside to cool down and have some time out, she found a way to express herself with her newly acquired written skills. Pavement and a piece of chalk.

translated.....
"I do not like you Mum and you are the worst Mum I have. Goodbye"

After 10 minutes she came back inside and apologised for her outburst. At this stage I was unaware of her creative text.

Later in the evening after dinner Dean popped outside and found the message. Ruby started to giggle and realised the humour in what she had written. We all had a laugh and then she decided to make a couple of corrections.

Motherhood can be a tough gig...... but childhood can be tough too!

happy 40th darling

2011-03-13T21:27:00.000+11:00

In the space of 4 months this year our family will be celebrating two 40th birthdays and the birth of our baby. Today we celebrated the first of those birthdays for Dean. Now I don't want to bang on and make this all soppy, but I do want to say that I am so fortunate to share my life with this super awesome man. We have been together since we were 19 and my love and respect for him has only grown over the years. When in our youth he hated the fact that he always looked younger than his age. We'd go out to bars and he'd get asked for ID. Today the tables have turned and it's me admiring him with envy. Not only does he look great for his age but he has a youthful outlook and physical energy of a man in his twenties. I'm relying on him to keep me young at heart too!!

While we plan to celebrate our birthdays together with a joint party in a few months (post pregnancy), today we surprised him and took our immediate families for a bus trip to the Barossa Valley for lunch & wine tasting.

With a 90 minute trip there and back we packed a few goodies to entertain both the big and small kids.

Our favourite wineries today were Kabminye & Saltram. Check them out if you are ever in the region.

The beautiful Barossa Valley landscape from inside Kabminye Wines. The kids had a wonderful time chasing butterflies & crickets!

Lunch at Kabminye Wine's Krondorf Road Cafe was awesome. No chips/fries or soft drinks on this menu! Specializing in traditional food from the early Barossa Settlers (Prussian, Wendish/Sorbian & English). The recipes from their countries of origin were adapted to incorporate local produce and the Mediterranean climate.

Poppy, the resident dog, hung around and received a lot of attention from our table

It was a long day for my boys, both big and small.

things are happening

2011-03-10T23:11:00.000+11:00

5 weeks & 1 day to go..... not that anyone is counting!

Back a few weeks ago I had a set back when my pelvis "shat" itself. Doubled over and almost not able to walk the doc & physio told me I would probably be that way for the last 8 weeks of this pregnancy. Cripes!! How the hell was I going to get Ruby to school every day and Sachin to half days at Kindy 4 days a week??? Thankfully weekly massages, a pelvic brace and a belly support stocking have held this old body together long enough for whatever happened to my pelvis to temporarily recover. Phiew. Hopefully I'm not going to jinx myself here, as things are now back on track (body wise that is).

As I'm managing so well to neglect you my dear friends, I now resort to summarizing my last few weeks.

baby has turned...head down... woohoo!
spent 3 wonderful days going solo in Melbourne with my sister Lorrin, her partner Heather & my dear friend De... facials, op shopping, vintage furniture shopping, eating out, reading mags, reLAXing...

crossed off #26 (paint the front fence) on the 40 before 40 list with a mini working bee (thanks family!)
utterly challenged by a request to make a soft scalloped rusty spoon... several attempts later..

organised my magazine collection and cleaned out the bathroom cabinets (#22 & #23 on 40 before 40 list)

finally stopped the denial and accepted that we have grown out of our car and will not be able to fit 3 children with 3 car seats - purchased a people mover... I know I know.... never thought I'd be driving a bus!!
scored the vintage Tessa swivel armchair I have been dreaming of for the nursery .... more pics to come of the nursery when it's finished

getting into the new season of American Idol.... go James Durbin!

body art

2011-02-14T17:36:00.001+11:00

I always check in on the kids before I go to bed. They make me smile.... especially this particular night. Little guy decided to decorate himself before going to sleep.... needless to say the markers have since been removed from the bedroom!

#19 Decorate the Nursery

2011-02-12T16:20:00.002+11:00

# 19 on the 40 before 40 list is coming together. At the moment I would say it is a collection of objects gathered in the room waiting to be styled. Last week I received 4 rolls of wallpaper ordered from UK Wallpaper after researching online and finding they had the best prices and international shipping. I've chosen a pretty Sanderson design from the PomPom range called Obi.

I like the fact that it has a large pattern but the colour palette is soft and subdued, which works well given it will feature on the largest wall in the room.

While this baby is number 3 for our family, she will be number 1 baby to reside in our current house. Lucky for me, this means I have a blank canvas when it comes to decorating the room (which has, for the last 2 years been my work room). The nursery will be made up of existing baby furniture (cot, change table), an ebay purchased single bed, a thrifted wardrobe, existing built in shelves (not shown), my upright piano (which will stay where it is - also not shown) and a yet to be purchased feeding armchair (still hoping to score a Tessa T21 on ebay).

The current plan of attack when baby comes home is for me to sleep in the nursery in the hope that the rest of the family avoid broken sleeps. Sounds good in theory anyway. Consequently we found the Queen Anne bargain bed (my sister and I had matching Queen Anne beds in our shared childhood bedroom) on ebay and plan to give it a lick of paint. I'm thinking glossy black may be the go. This room already has a lot of warm finishes (I promise to show more pics when it's finished) with the wall opposite the wardrobe exposed brick, and the wall behind clad in floor to ceiling timber panelling.

Other bits and pieces I have collected include this 1950's ballet print which hung in my grandparents house. I have always thought it was beautiful and when nobody else in the family seemed interested to inherit it I put my hand up.

This adorable rabbit is a made by Fiona of Hop Skip Jump. His name is Clarence. We first bonded when I shared a market stand with Fiona at Bowerbird Bazaar in March 2010. Seriously, everything she puts her hand to is delightful. Go see yourself!

If only I had the patience to learn how to knit. Mum is the resident knitter and specialises in these cute little booties. Hey, it's never too early for a first pair of moccasins and maryjanes :)

A little handmade bird mobile I received from Beruta while participating in this swap a couple of years back.

While cleaning out some old boxes (yes nesting has set in) I found this hand painted plaque. I felt like I opened a time capsule from the 1970's. This sweet ceramic wall hanging was made for me by a dear neighbour, Mrs Eblen, and hung on my bedroom wall as a youngster. I remember it had an olive green velvet ribbon around the edge (must have disintegrated over the years) so I think I will return it to it's former glory for our little girl to enjoy as I did!

So there you have it - my progress update on the nursery. 9 weeks left to pull it all together.

(sitting idle) on my desk

2011-01-29T20:46:00.001+11:00

Let's hope this is not still on my desk in another month as it has been for the last! I've always wanted to make a circular cushion and have the perfect chair for it in the lounge (although I have been considering that it may look quite cute in the "work in progress" nursery too). Until I actually start chopping into the fabric I'm not sure if the petal design or the panelled design will eventuate. Liking them both at the moment. What do you think?

2011 family calendar

2011-01-11T16:42:00.000+11:00

Last year I attempted (but not always managed) to take a special photo each month of the kids to put together a 2011 calendar for ourselves and the grandparents. In theory, it was intended to be a Christmas gift but in reality it will be a New Year gift (hopefully arriving tomorrow from the printer). So far I have survived 11 days with no calendar but this is totally pushing me out of my comfort zone. I am hopeless when it comes to remembering when and where we are supposed to be from day to day and haven't used a diary since I left corporate life behind me. My daily morning routine is to head straight into the kitchen pantry to consult the calendar before the day commences. So, all going to plan I should be back into that comfortable habit in the next day or two.

I used online software by Momento (in Australia) but you can find loads of other providers if you google search "photo calendar software". I added all of our family birthdays, anniversaries, school & public holidays to make it more personalised. It shall be interesting to see how much the children grow and change over the next 12 months.

xmas baking

2010-12-02T16:55:00.002+11:00

It's my old faithful....ginger biscuits. I know I know... I should be more imaginative and try something new but time just didn't permit. The Kindy Xmas Party is on tonight and based on last years results the gingerbread is a winner. Having said that, last years biscuits looked so pretty compared to these. Hopefully the 4 year olds won't judge them on the aesthetic appearance!

secret's out.... it's a

2010-11-21T22:48:00.036+11:00

. . . . . G I R L . . . . .

Sorry boys, but you will be out numbered!

Thankyou so much to those of you who have left well wishes and comments for me over the last few weeks. I can happily say that I'm finally out the other side of the nausea & snoozeness - yes, hello energy! I suspect it may be a small window of productiveness so it's now all systems go go go. This little lady is due on April 15th 2011 - nothing like a baby deadline to get you motivated. It would seem that this has happened with all of our children. With Ruby, we were repairing the wood rot in all of our timber windows & painting the house. With Sachin, a carport & pergola were being built as he was being delivered. With this little one, there seem to be an arms list of things to be finished on the house. Hey, if it get's stuff done maybe we should just keep making babies..... now that's a thought :)

#20 softies for mirabel

2010-11-19T19:14:00.000+11:00

There's not been a whole lot of toy making going on at the moment, but these guys took priority. It was getting closer and closer to the "Softies for Mirabel" end of November deadline, so I think I've managed to allow just enough time to package and post them over to Pip in Melbourne. She will be displaying all of the donated creations in her shopfront window from Dec 1 - Dec 7, so if you're in Melbourne pop by for a gander. Don't worry, if you're not, you can check them out here.

The Mirabel Foundation is an organization that provides help to kids who have been orphaned or abandoned due to their Mum or Dad's drug addiction. All of the donated handmade toys will be thoughtfully matched up with the children and gifted for Christmas. Yay!

(another item completed on the 40 before 40 list...)

2010 Christmas Pageant

2010-11-13T20:30:00.001+11:00

early morning.
5:45am start.
threatening weather.
first pageant.
excited children.
prepared for rain.
mega crowds.
pancakes for breakfast.
great company (thanks nanny & grandma).
gold position.
smiling faces.
mesmerized faces.
energetic clowns.
delighted children.
jam packed tram.
tired children.
tired mum.
memorable day.
ready for 2011.

( old school ) library bag

2010-11-06T17:26:00.013+11:00

There was no way I was heading to the school shop and buying one of those plastic library bags... no sirree... it had to be "old school" like my Mum made me. A little modern twist is fine but definitely gotta be home made.

Ruby announced last week that her new favourite colour is purple - thank goodness for that I muttered under my breath, as I am totally pinked out! Heading into my sewing room to check out the fabric stash this lovely old floral pillow case jumped out at me again. Purple requirement met.

The RUBY on the front is applied using an iron on transfer with a simple graphic I made in Photoshop, but you could use any software programme that enables you to make an image and print it. I had great success with these iron on transfers when I made Sachin's birthday t-shirt in December 2009, and after many many washes it is still going strong. I used this paper product which I found at my local Big W or Kmart - can't remember which one.

I fiddled with the drawstring a bit and created 4 button holes before hemming the top and threading the ribbon through. Time consuming yes (I hate doing button holes) but makes for a better finish that will last longer and won't fray. All made in under a couple of hours.

#10. The new sideboard.

2010-11-05T12:13:00.002+11:00

Number 10 ~~Find a low line sideboard for the Lobby~~ on the 40 before 40 list has been completed and I couldn't be more chuffed with the outcome! But it was a long time coming.

Sometimes finding a piece of furniture that matches the image you have in your mind can be an impossible task - especially when the budget if tight. I've scoured the second hand and op shops for months on end and found nothing. Zip. Problem is, everyone is looking for the very same thing at the moment as retro furniture is so in demand. I was looking for a 1960s teak timber low-line sideboard which seems to be popular for flat screen TVs. Apparently they are going off at the auction houses which is all good and fine if you have a few hundred dollars. I've been watching them go on eBay for months, ranging from $300 - $1100 depending on the size and condition.

So my brief was to find a sideboard for our Lobby which can hold all the day to day stuff. Bags, keys, phones, umbrellas - you know, the things you dump as you enter the house and then can't find when you leave. We currently have this lovely buffet which is slightly the wrong decade for our house. The 60s styling and darker teak colour is not true to our 1950s decor and it feels too big and heavy in a space that already has a lot of timber. Not to be parted with, it will be relocated downstairs into the kids playroom and used as the art/craft storage cupboard.

before- the too big 1960s buffet

after - the new 1950s sideboard

Finally last week I found something different on eBay. It jumped out at me - 1950s blondewood - great legs and not too big. Higher than the low-line I had been imagining but ample storage for what we needed. The 2 supplied photos looked a little dodgy and I really couldn't tell what state it was in but hey, the bidding was only at $14. Much to my surprise I placed the winning bid a few days later at $37. I waited in anticipation on Monday night as Dean picked it up after work and bought it home. Much to our surprise it's not nasty at all. It's brilliant. Perfect size for the space. It comes with a few scratches and dings but that just adds character and matches the rest of our loved but not-so-perfect house :)

blue motorbikes are cool

2010-10-14T17:14:00.002+11:00

I feel like I have started a tradition with the handmade backpack in our family. After making Ruby's Pinky Pegasus bag when she started pre-school I thought it was only fair that the young fella get the same special treatment on his first day at 4 year old Kindy. While Ruby's favourite descriptive word these days is "pretty" or "beautiful", everything to Sachin is "COOL". When quizzed what he'd like for his backpack, he decided he'd be pretty happy with a "cool blue motorbike". So this is what he got!

The fabrics used for both the kids bags were a gift from my sister (thanks Lorrin) a couple of years ago after living in Uganda, Africa. Other than the fact they fray like crazy (especially when you are stupid enough to cut holes in the wrong place after the bag has been sewn up) they are a great heavy weight fabric.

So off Sachin went to Kindergarten today for the first time. It sure has been an exciting week for the young members of this family!

all teary eyed

2010-10-12T22:39:00.000+11:00

My beautiful girl started school today.

I couldn't be prouder. She has a contagious joy and energy - such a happy approach to life. She is determined, head strong, loving, courageous, funny and loud. She is our Ruby and we love her.

I'm not afraid to let her go into the world - infact I know she will blossom as she grows and experiences life outside our home, but I'm sad for me. I will miss her. She is my buddy - my pal - we argue - we laugh - we cuddle - we dance. Thankyou Ruby for making my first five years of Motherhood so fulfilling and amazing. You have challenged me, entertained me, surprised me and at times tired me - but most of all you have taught me.

May your school journey be full of adventure.

impatient harvesting

2010-10-12T19:41:00.000+11:00

We've been watching our little produce garden grow now for a couple of months. Anyone would think we were green thumbs, but alas, I put it down to beginners luck. We've even been in a position to share the love and make up a few bundles of parsley & herbs for friends and family.... I know.... who would have thunk it???

All this excitement lead Ruby and I to the assumption that our baby carrots must be flourishing like our herbs... so we took to the little patch with much enthusiasm and pulled those babies.

It was ever so exciting to see them come out of the ground, even better to see my five year old pulling them given she planted in the first place.

Sadly, after washing and cooking we discovered that they were a little too premature and not quite sweet enough for our palette. Fortunately we have another 2 bunches which we'll patiently leave alone for a while longer. The back yard is starting to look like a blank canvas (this is good, as it means the weeds and junk are going) so we are getting closer to creating our dream veggie garden with fruit trees and a few chooks. First project will be to plant potatoes in the old tyres. Isn't Spring just the best season for getting motivated and productive!

40 before 40

2010-10-08T16:44:00.012+11:00

Next June I will be celebrating the big 40. I've never been one to focus on numbers but I must admit to feeling a little anxious about leaving my 30's. You see I remember quite clearly my Dad's 40th.... and yes at the time I thought he was... well... old. Is that me? It can't be!! To add fuel to my own fire there has been another major change in my life that has left me questioning that number. I am due to become a Mum again in April.... yes .... there is a baby in the making. I am 13 weeks pregnant (although I look about 5 months thanks to pathetic stomach muscles). We are very excited! The last few months have been spent going to bed at 8pm, napping during the middle of day (often bolt upright on the lounge after convincing the kids they should sit and watch a bit of TV with me) and eating like a horse (my way of keeping nausea at bay). Happy to see the back of that first trimester. Yes-sir-ee.

So with the April change coming around I started to put together a list of incomplete jobs around the house that I wanted to finish before then. Let's face it, not much gets done when a little baby enters the house. While writing this list, I remembered the 30 before 30 list that Nicole of Making it Lovely put together. My list then morphed into 40 before 40.

1. Install bookshelves and a laptop space (and unpack the gazillion boxes of books downstairs)
2. Get shelves made for the kids bedroom
~~3. Clean out the cellar~~
~~4. Install an external shutter on the kitchen window before summer~~
~~5. External blind for our east bedroom window~~
~~6. Install the kitchen rangehood (been in the box for 2 years)~~
~~7. Find a nursery chair (currently loving the Tessa T21 swivel chair by Fred Lowen)~~
8. Wallpaper our bedroom walls
~~9. Relocate my sewing room downstairs~~
~~10. Find a low line sideboard for the Lobby~~ update
11. Hang mirrors (in our bedroom & nursery)
~~12. Clean out & have a Garage Sale~~
13. Paint external doors
14. Ride my bike (been in storage for 5 years)
~~15. Go on a family holiday~~
~~16. Deliver a baby~~ Quinn Alice
17. Prepare side yard for the kids swings
~~18. Minimum 4 date nights with my husband~~
~~19. Decorate the Nursery~~ progress update
~~20. Make & donate a toy to~~ ~~Softies for Mirabel~~ update
21. Plant fruit trees
~~22. Organise my magazine collection~~
~~23. Clean out the bathroom cabinets~~
24. Create a vegetable garden
25. Make a minimum of 5 handmade items for Xmas
~~26. Paint the front fence~~
27. Teach Ruby to sew
28. Play the piano more often
29. Paint the laundry and downstairs bathroom
30. Make Sachin's birthday crown
~~31. Family day trip to the Art Gallery~~
32. Plant a Xmas tree somewhere in the yard
~~33. Seal the concrete in the shed~~
34. Find a lamp base for Nana's lampshade
35. Finish the half made sofa covers
36. Make a dress for me
37. Organise a slide night to view Pa's old photos
38. Learn to use my camera on manual settings
39. Camp in our tent (at least one night)
40. Make a nut loaf in Nana's old tin

So there you go. That's my wee list. I'll be updating and crossing things off as I optimistically accomplish things over the next 8 months. Who knows, I may even manage to share the odd post about completed tasks if A. I find the energy and B. it seems interesting enough to share.

Maybe you have a list of things you'd like to get done. Jump on board! Share your list and we'll see if we can spur each other on :)

KCWC | finished

2010-09-27T08:05:00.001+10:00

I managed to finish the last and final bit of sewing for the Kids Clothes Week Challenge. While the family were busy watching the Aussie Rules Football Grand final on Saturday I sneaked off to my sewing room and finished these shorts. Mind you, it was not my best of sewing days. Lots of unpicking, ripping, breaking needles (then having to go to the shop for replacements) and when I thought it was all finished, somehow I'd made the waist band about 2 inches too big!! Of course I had sewn the elastic in and had to unpick the entire band. You know, one of those sessions when it takes twice as long as you know it should. But here they are (creased & un-ironed).

The hem is kind of unfinished as my model was unavailable at the time. They are temporary zigzagged waiting for the length to be determined at some stage in the future. The pocket design comes from this tutorial and was not as difficult as I imagined. Next time I will try to use a shorts or pants pattern with a separate waist band so the top of the pockets can be sewn into the seam - I think they would look better that way.

I tried to capture a photo of Sachin wearing his shorts (he does love those pockets) and this was it. One frame. Thanks for coming. Got more important things to do Mum!!

KCWC | half way

2010-09-23T15:14:00.002+10:00

I'm playing along again with Meg's Kids Clothes Week Challenge - check out her Elsie Marley blog for the list of over 300 other players. You can also see pics of what people have been making here in Meg's Flickr group. The challenge is to sew for 1 hour each night for a week and make clothes for children. Earlier in the year I played and knocked out a few winter items and couldn't resist the challenge again.

Sewing each night is proving to be difficult at the moment so I made use of a child free day yesterday and finished 3 of the 4 pieces I was aiming for.

Both of these dresses use the Raglan Shift Dress pattern from Whole Grain Baby. The house fabric was a cheapie found at IKEA for $3 (Aus) a metre. Ruby just loves rabbits and was smitten when she first saw the dress with the appliqued bunny. She told me this morning that it was one of her favourite dresses but not her most ever favourite - that belongs to the $5 special Grandma picked up at Target..... oh well!!

A boy can never have too many shorts in his wardrobe and I love long ones. Good for protecting knees with all the falls that inevitably happen (not so good for the size of my mending pile). These ones are made from a light weight corduroy and I used a really old pattern that belonged to Mum in the 1970's from Knitwit. Given the pattern was designed for use with stretch fabrics is suits Sachin's slim build which lends itself to a straight fit.

This morning Miss Ruby headed off to Kindergarten for the last time. Another little milestone in her journey. Of course it was deemed important that she wear her favourite (but not most ever favourite) dress to Kindy and style it up for the cold day that it is. I can't be sure..... but I think she may have been a tad excited about both the dress and the day ahead :)

progress in the garden (Project 1)

2010-09-16T21:18:00.002+10:00

I've been promising to share with you the progress we have been making in our garden. Inspired by this post by Anna over at Door Sixteen, I decided it was high time I put together a little photo journey of our work in progress.

We've owned the house now for almost 3 years and spent the first couple of those years concentrating on the original interiors which needed our TLC.

So about a year ago we started on our exterior makeover with the demolition of an old farm shed that sat at a 45 degree angle across the corner of our rear yard. We had no fences and the billy goat next door frequently popped in for a visit - much to my initial shock - in true city girl style.

While I'm writing this I'm thinking it is going to be an essay of a post as we literally have 4-5 outside projects on the go at the same time. I think the better way to do this is to tell you about one of the projects, the most finished one. Note I say MOST finished as I question whether any of the projects will actually ever be truly finished. I love to read Studio G - garden design blog - and recall an article featuring a most amazing garden which was owned by a landscape designer himself. Anyway, he admitted that it had taken 10 years to create which has stuck in my mind as an OK target to have for our time management. What do you think???

Enough of the blurb, here's the pictorial journey of our now private front yard. It is where the kids spend most of their time, directly accessed from a downstairs playroom (the sliding doors), visible for me from the kitchen upstairs and a great place to ride their bikes!

In it's sad and sorry state pre-makeover

no more escapees of the 2 or 4 legged kind - all fenced in

as all good renos go - while removing the concrete we broke the gas line

then a blank canvas

pavers go down and get a couple of sealer coats
(I cop some fairy major sunburn on the back of my neck...ouch)

garden bed walls are built

the sandpit gets filled, garden walls are painted black
and the family moves in!
oh..and we also lined the metal fence with a willow screen

planting has started - the unfinished brick walls in the centre are for
storage and will eventually have hinged timber slat seats with big 'ole
comfy cushions for sipping G&T in the sun

As with all projects there are still unfinished jobs. The seat being one and a pergola the other. This area gets hit with the sun quite severely in the Summer so we are hoping to build a shade structure before then so we can truly enjoy our new outdoor space.

The most recent edition is the Magnolia tree (Little Gem variety) which we planted on the weekend in the large box. On the other side we have combined Kangaroo Paws and Cordylines (Coffee & Cream). The lowest planter is filled with kitchen herbs and colourful flowers. So far the garden seems to be thriving but the true test will be the months around the corner.

(sorry about the images being all out of alignment... I'm afraid it's in the too hard basket tonight.... might try to look at it tomorrow)

handmade birthday crown

2010-09-13T07:45:00.000+10:00

I'm a big fan of Amanda Soule of SouleMama - so many things to like. In a nutshell, it's her creative parenting that I so admire. And she thinks outside the square. I have a copy of her first book, The Creative Family, sitting on my bedside table. Often, at the end of a difficult mothering day, I pick up her book and re fuel my Mummy Mojo for the next day. It really does work!!

One of her trademark projects is the Birthday Crown. It has taken me until birthday number 5 but finally Ruby donned her handmade Birthday Crown this year for her suitably themed Princess Party. It was a hit. I'm now looking forward to styling up another one for the little man of the house when his birthday comes around in December.

Happy 5th Birthday Ruby! xxx

memory cushion

2010-09-11T09:10:00.000+10:00

I'm a sentimental person who finds it hard to depart with things that capture my memories. You know, birthday cards, notes, photos, kids drawings.... the list goes on. Ruby starts school next month (I know... where did that time go??) which feels like quite a milestone in this parenting journey. I've been looking through her art box and marvelling at the progression she has made in her first few years. To celebrate the end of her time as a pre-schooler I've made this cushion by embroidering (with running stitch on the machine) her first hand written words and a cat drawing for keepsakes.

handmade for everyone

2010-08-15T10:49:00.002+10:00

So as you may have gathered from my lack of content of late, there is not a lot of making going on here right now. My focus has been on the garden, which I plan to share with you soon, but in the meantime you can see some of what we've been up to here. Sadly, I'm a one focus girl, so the sewing room has been feeling quite neglected. Having said such, I have a 3 hour opening this morning home alone so must get a move on so I can attempt to break that drought.

While my sewing hands may be on vacation my mind is not. The need to be stimulated by design aesthetic & ideas has me spending my free time trawling the internet ooo-ing and aaaa-ing. In an attempt to remember just some of what I see, I have been saving favourites in my flickr, etsy & tumblr accounts.With a little girl's Princess 5th birthday party to plan for in a couple of weeks I'm checking out birthday cakes, cupcakes and decorations for ideas.

The making of Treasuries on Etsy is a bit of a time waster but admittedly quite addictive if you enjoy putting colour schemes together. This I am guilty of but try not to go there too often. This morning it called! Honestly, there are so many talented people on Etsy. Here's my Awesome Foursome collection of handmade things for BABE + HOME + ME + HIM. A little bit of Handmade for everyone.

eye candy

2010-08-14T15:35:00.000+10:00

1. hanging_pods, 2. {postcards :: the vintage stripes}, 3. summer 10 wire[explored], 4. Calla Lily Wedding Cake, 5. creme caramel, 6. #31, 7. from the time is now, 8. Hotel de L' Europe, 9. Poem stitchin'

a good laugh to start off your week

2010-08-02T09:39:00.001+10:00

So I've asked (nagged) my children what feels like 100 times this morning to get dressed and still they run around the house in pyjamas. Aaaahh!

Then I remembered how this video cracked me up over the weekend when I found it in my inbox. I'm thinking a good belly laugh should get me out of my grumpy mood. Thought I'd share it with you just incase you are having a Monday morning like me!

no masterchef here

2010-07-26T20:23:00.000+10:00

OK so I know the whole Masterchef thing has been big but I'm afraid I missed the boat (unusual as I admit to having a weakness for reality TV). I love to cook (driven by my love to eat) and I seem to have hit a phase of preparing something different every night and even taking time to think about it early in the day. So much so that my darling husband recently commented on such - which of course only egged me on even more (wise man).

In my cockiness I thought I'd share tonight's evening meal with you. Crispy cauliflower and fish bake.

I started by taking this photo. Did I mention cockiness? Well yes, let's just say that it all went downhill from here.

Kids were in the bath. The dish turned out to have more processes than expected... kids still in the bath.... kids screaming in the bath..... mum madly trying to drain the cauliflower & milk in a hurry....spilt milk all over bench (and camera on bench).... now mum & kids all screaming!!

Dad arrives home from work. Dad fixes kids. Dad brings wine home. We love Dad.

Dinner gets served. Dad says yuck. Mum says yuck. Sachin says yuck. Ruby enjoys her chicken strips (non fish eater). We all watch her in envy.

To make it worse last nights dinner was also a disaster. After a day weeding in the garden I made a quick run to the supermarket to grab milk. In my tired state I weakened and purchased a "Chicken Tonight" and noodles thinking it would be a quick fix for dinner. Now let me say the last dish of this kind I ate was probably at least 10 years ago. All I can assume is that my taste buds have grown up as it was not edible! It was like covering your food in liquid plastic... and if that's not bad enough why not throw in a cup of sugar!! Even the kids pushed their plates away.

Must find that cooking mojo again. If you see it please tell it to get home.... :)

our house, this morning

2010-07-23T22:01:00.001+10:00

We pushed their beds together as Ruby was having nightmares and needed a little extra security from her younger brother - it appears to have done the trick! They look so cute sleeping together like that.

The alphabet freeze on the wall above the beds just arrived this morning in the mail from Miriam Bereson. It is just delightful as is the rest of her work available here.

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

butterfly, batman & bunnies

2010-07-20T16:09:00.001+10:00

We have recently acquired a set of face paints.

The face painting has lead to dressing up. Lots of dressing up. They make me laugh!

I read back my last blog post and realised that I sounded like I have issues with girls being girls and boys being boys. If I can please clarify. What I was trying to say is that I wish children weren't taught to act a certain way based on their gender. I believe that every child should be encouraged to play with and play as whatever they choose. As a Mum I try to demonstrate to my children that we can be whatever we dream of - male or female/boy or girl makes no difference. I was never the best student at school when it came to english & literature.... nothing has changed! Maybe I should just stick to the arty stuff :)

boy versus girl bedroom

2010-07-17T12:29:00.001+10:00

Sharing a bedroom is a lot of fun for our 2 youngsters, but decorating the room has proven to challenge me. As a result it is still a work in progress.

Ruby is an almost 5 year old young lady who loves all things pretty & girly. Sachin on the other hand is a 3.5 year old boy who has recently had a clash with testosterone.... much to my shock & surprise! My gentle sweet fella is turning into a karate chopping, motorbike crazy, cheeky but oh so hilarious little monster.

Over the last year there have been sporadic decorating additions to the room which seem to have (quite unconsciously) evolved the space into a half & half boy v's girl design. I had dreamed that I could avoid such sexist typecasting but I resign to the fact that this is the reality of our society. There is only so much influence we can have on our children with the idea of non-gender play when there is a whole world out there that suggests otherwise. Ruby is soon to start school where girls will be girls and boys will be boys. She already announced to me yesterday that she doesn't like playing with boys anymore, apparently, they are "boring"!

Anyway, getting back to the decorating dilemma.

A recent addition to the room on Sachin's side is this bunting which I made double sided with girly fabrics on the reverse. In truth it was designed as a birthday party decoration but we thought it was too much fun to pack away.

I picked up a couple of embroidery rings from the op shop (thrift store) and framed some favourite vintage fabrics. You may recognise the letters fabric in the large ring from here.

It may be in need of a little TLC, but I'm super excited about my latest find from our local second hand shop. I think it will be perfect to display a mix of quirky things in the children's bedroom - all those little toys that are constantly getting lost around the house. Roof restoration required. Until then, it makes me smile every time I look at it sitting on the dining room floor. Simple pleasures.

holiday play time

2010-07-08T10:38:00.000+10:00

shop: my rocking wardrobe

2010-06-26T12:15:00.001+10:00

All images from My Rocking Wardrobe

Loving this awesome online store for Mums & Babes. Fashion & accessories for women & children with an affinity to Japanese & Korean design. Super stylish & great prices. Go and have a browse around at My Rocking Wardrobe - you may just fall in love with it all! I did.

more kids winter sewing

2010-06-25T13:43:00.000+10:00

Still practising on the clothes sewing front. I finally got around to trying the 90 minute shirt which challenged me a little but I got there in the end. I incorrectly drafted the neckline which came out way too big. After some unpicking, cutting & re-sewing it is now wearable. I guess each time I attempt the pattern the fit will improve. It also introduced me to an overlocker / serger for the first time. Luckily Mum has one and was willing to help me with the threading - hooley dooley those things need a lot of cotton! I had no idea. The finish is so much better for it - I especially like the result with using the contrasting orange cotton colour.

Then I had a little run with using fleece fabric. My kids are into comfort clothes at the moment - soft - no itchy or scratchy stuff. Fleece is cheap & I found it super easy to work with.

These checkered fleece pants are the second pair of Hipsters for Slimsters I've made. I went with a longer leg this time and raised the back so they same up higher over his bum. I can see that the more I make the more I will be able to tweak the patterns for a better fit. The problem I had with these pants was the seams kept popping. My Mum suggested it may the tension on my machine or an incorrect stitch type. Next time I will try to use a slight zigzag instead of straight stitch. I have since used Mums overlocker to run over the seams and had no more popping. I'm starting to see the benefits of the overlocker/serger but finding it hard to justify the purchase cost at this stage.

moving on: Ebay style

2010-06-23T22:00:00.002+10:00

So I'm having a clean out. A big one. It is a family trait to hoard things... I'm fighting the desire to hold on to each and every piece of clothing my children have owned. Ridiculous really. The cupboards are full and bursting at the seams so it's time to minimise.

If you are in Australia - in the need for baby/children's clothes - fine with the idea of recycling - then check out my Ebay auctions. It's a work in progress. I keep adding more every couple of days. Over the last week I've been sorting backwards starting from most recent clothes. Yesterday I made it to the first bag of baby clothes and ... well... that was interesting. Opening that bag was like opening the memory gate... it quite surprisingly took me somewhere I didn't expect and found myself in quite an emotional state. Totally didn't see it coming!! Let's just say I may be holding on to those ones a little while longer :)

playroom love

2010-06-01T20:47:00.005+10:00

I go through stages of feeling love & hatred for our downstairs playroom. On the up side, it is downstairs and that is a big tick in the box. This means all of the crap stays downstairs (well that's the grand plan anyway) and we get to have an adult living room free of night time clutter. Tick. Secondly we are very lucky to have the space to afford a dedicated play room where the kids can spread their wings and enter in and out the house from the back yard. Muddy boots and all (the carpet was already trashed when we arrived so that's the way it will stay for a while longer).

On the downside, the amount of stuff that gets accumulated down there is ridiculous! Out of mind out of sight. Yesiree. The problem is that it gets in such a state that the kids can't find anything to play with amongst the mass of toys all mixed up and in a jumble. Enter Mum. Goodbye 2 hours. Hello playroom, don't you look fun! Let's start back at the beginning.

Today we started again. Back to the clean, organised state that I wish I had the energy to keep it in every day. I know in theory I should be teaching the kids to tidy the play room at the end of the day, but in reality that just doesn't happen regularly enough to create a routine.

I've planned to get the dress up play area into order for a long time now. The clothes & accessories were all packed away in a vintage suitcase, which looked lovely, but was just not practical for child play. Yesterday we picked up a clothes rack at Ikea for $14 and hung a market find coat rack that had been in storage. This weekend we plan to finish the job and install a mirror so the lovelies can admire themselves in all their glory. Sweet. I think they are pretty happy with the progress so far.

eye candy

2010-05-28T23:08:00.003+10:00

1. peeking in, 2. macarons, 3. i don't want to give them up, 4. Lime Green Outfit for "piggaro", 5. Inspiration, 6. Screen-printed fabric panels - 2 mix pack (02), 7. citrus pram freeform, 8. Untitled, 9. green wool

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

on a roll

2010-05-21T11:49:00.005+10:00

I felt a bit miffed that I had to cut short the Kids Clothes Week Challenge 'cause I was having so much fun with it. Then I realised that I could pretend the challenge was still going ... trick myself.... and keep making more kids clothes. I know... genius isn't it!

Last night I made this new winter skirt for Ruby using the Lazy Days skirt tutorial. I love this pattern as it is so easy and you can create a gazillion variations. I made this skirt longer than usual as it will most probably be dressed with boots. The fabric is a pre-hemmed curtain panel that I found in a bargain remnant bin. By re-using the already made hem the skirt was super easy as all I needed to do was create the waste band and embellish with the red velvet ribbon.

I spend a lot of time trying not to see an ever growing pile of mending which sits behind my sewing machine. They are boring jobs that don't get me enthused. Typically they sit there night after night as I start new more exciting projects. Last night after finishing the skirt I bit the bullet and made a start on that pile.

No matter how much or little effort I put into washing and soaking there are always tshirts & jumpers in the kids wardrobes with stains that won't budge. This tshirt is one of my favourites for Ruby as it fits well and goes with so many pants & skirts, but it has an ugly brown stain on the front. I cut flowers from an old piece of vintage cotton and used fusible web to iron them in place. Using a running stitch I machine sewed them on & embellished with buttons to make them look like they were always there. No too bad hey?

Of course I spent way to much time fixing an old tshirt that I could go and buy new for a few bucks but I'm sure that's not the point ;)

slim slacks with letter pockets

2010-05-13T10:36:00.006+10:00

There was a last minute change of design with these pants. I had planned to make them in a dark blue denim until yesterday morning. While dressing Sachin in a pair of old jeans he announced "no not these, I want soft ones". Soft ones hey? He's practical just like his Dad. So the re-think began. Had to find something in the stash as I only had last night to get them finished (tonight I'm packing to go away for a few days).

Ta da! Plain but with a little pocket flair on the back courtesy of a thrifted retro bed sheet. It makes me laugh that he has a pair of personalised pants with his initials on the back. Of course he doesn't yet appreciate his mothers genius... but he will :)

I'm not sure why I was so scared of the whole pattern thing. These Hipsters for Slimsters were simple and very straight forward and they fit just as I imagined they would. Perfect pants for slim children with no hips. I plan to make more now that I've mastered the first pair.

I really wish I had an extra couple of days to work on some other ideas floating around in my head. Thanks to Meg I think I have discovered a whole new sewing world.... I'll start with the kids then maybe get enough confidence to try adult clothes next.

flowers + a nightie

2010-05-11T15:05:00.004+10:00

Totally unrelated but the photos compliment each other so there you go... that's my post title.

The flowers were a mothers day gift from my in-laws picked from their garden. One posy for me, one for my Mum and one for my Nana. So sweet!

The nightie is my first finished item for the Kids Clothes Challenge. My week will be a bit short as we are off down the coast on Friday for a few days, but I'm hoping to get started on these pants for Sachin tonight. As I suspected I have already cheated myself and avoided using a pattern. Such a chicken!! I created my own pattern from one of Ruby's existing nighties which has been a favourite and made it a bit bigger. The fabric is a beautiful soft chenille - thankfully she likes it - and apparently, it works a treat. She has worn it to bed the last 2 nights.

One down... more to go. This time I promise I will tackle the pattern! Off to check out the other 200 or so sewers and see what they are getting up to.

kinderchefs | cooking classes for little dudes

2010-05-10T14:44:00.010+10:00

My friend Jacqui is an absolute legend when it comes to supporting and promoting her family and friends and our creative endeavours. She is constantly sending people my way which I am ever so grateful for. Thanks Jac!

So it's high time that I introduced you to my friend and her cooking school for kids!

Jacqui is one half of a dynamic mother duo who run and operate Kinderchefs - fun cooking classes for pre-schoolers during school terms and for older children during school holidays. Jacqui is a qualified teacher and professional singer with a natural born ability to entertain / educate. Michelle is a qualified chef and restaurant owner who has recently been nominated for South Australian Business Woman of the Year!

Here's a little of what you can expect (taken from their website)... . .

"While learning food preparation skills is the main ingredient, each class adds a heap of kitchen safety, a scoop of etiquette and respect, a handful of music, a pinch of geography & history and laughter to taste!!"

My Ruby thoroughly enjoyed making Pumpkin Scones during the last school holidays Kinderchef class, and even ATE one... .. believe me. .. that is quite an accomplishment (the child who eats no vegies).

Check out Kinderchefs on facebook or hop on over to their website for more details. You can email Jacqui at info@kinderchefs.com.au if you'd like more information.

my me day

2010-04-29T16:43:00.005+10:00

One day a week I have both the kids in kindy/childcare. It's usually the day when I run around like a crazy woman trying to achieve a to-do list the length of my arm. Most times I get to the end of the day and feel deflated - only managing to cross 1 or 2 things off my impossible list of expectations.

Yesterday was not one of those days. Instead I wrote the day off to Mummy well being. It went like this.

Drop kids off to kindy & childcare.
Haircut (also involving coffee, trashy magazine reading & plenty of child-free chit chat)
Leave salon feeling polished & presentable
Pop into vintage clothing store & try on retro frocks (almost purchase but still wearing sensible hat at this stage)
Head to favourite cafe for leisurely lunch & cappuccino while reading the local paper front to back
Pop into 2 favourite op shops (thrift stores) and find a few gems

Feeling like a million bucks with new hair cut decide to ramp it up at the end of the day and hit the shops. After a 15 minute power shop exit the store with 2 dresses & 2 orange cardigans... woo hoo!
Pick up the kids a new Mum. Happy. Refreshed. Recharged. Bit more spunky :)

This is a highly recommended way to occasionally spend your child free day!

elsie marley's kids clothes week challenge

2010-04-27T09:12:00.014+10:00

Elsie Marley is running a week of sewing for the little chaps, starting May 10th. The challenge is to put one hour in every night for a week and see what you can accomplish. It can be new projects or something that has been sitting in the half finished pile for a little too long.

I'm going to attempt to make a pair of these Hipsters for Slimsters pants for Sachin in an effort to find a style he can wear with no belt (he has no bum). I also have this this this and this on the wish list so we'll see how productive the week can be.

I have a pinafore/smock in mind for Ruby - just need to find the right pattern. In the meantime I do have this this this and this as back-ups. I'm absolutely loving this dress pattern but..dang! ...it's sold out. Will be keeping my eye on that one.

Actually as I have been writing this post and checking out the links I have made a last minute online purchase. I have wanted to buy this book for a long time - now I have the perfect excuse!

It will be a week of much learning for me as I have a very basic understanding of how to follow a pattern. Much more of a make it up as you go kind of girl. Perhaps I will be doing a bit of both??

calendar photo project

2010-04-15T12:36:00.005+10:00

We started a photography project in January this year after purchasing these from Picky Sticky back in March 2009.

Each month we take a photo (or several in my case) of the kids then file them in our 2011 Calendar file on Flickr. At the end of the year we will hopefully have a photo from each month to choose from.

Look out family! I don't want to give anything away... but there may be a calendar or two finding their way into Christmas stockings..... just a guess...

keeping up with the joneses

2010-04-13T01:16:00.004+10:00

Finally caved in to peer pressure (hey... everyone's doin' it) and created my Facebook Fan Page.

I'll admit at this moment in time I currently have 0 fans - that's OK - I've got broad shoulders!

If you'd like to become a friend of fede and hear about new designs, shop updates & other worldly , life changing news then please don't hesitate to pop over and take a look. Hey, you might even want to become my first fan :)

a tea party minus the mad hatter

2010-04-09T16:10:00.006+10:00

Ruby is not a lover of milk chocolate (something my mind can't figure, being the chocoholic that I am) however she will settle for white chocolate rather than miss out. Easter Bunny met these requirements and satisfied her desires with white chocolate & marshmallow. Having said this, the fridge is currently filled with a lot of white chocolate & marshmallow. She is also not so keen on any type of cake so it is always a challenge to find a recipe that might tempt her taste buds.

Yesterday I had SUCCESS.... Raspberry & White Chocolate Muffins

The tea party is so much better when there is something yummy to eat for all partakers.

We've been watching Alice in Wonderland (the 1999 Gene Wilder version) in the school holidays and feeling the tea party influence.

I used this recipe minus a few selective ingredients, however I'm sure they'd probably taste even better with the lot.

1/2 cup (95g) white chocolate (we used broken easter eggs)

3/4 cup (155g) caster sugar

2 cups (300g) self-raising flour

1/2 cup (80g) coarsely chopped macadamias (we skipped - not popular with little people)

1 cup (125g) frozen raspberries

1 egg, lightly whisked

1/2 cup (125ml) macadamia oil (we used vegetable oil)

3/4 cup (185ml) buttermilk (we used cow's milk)

Preheat oven to 200°C. Line six muffin pans with paper cases. Combine the white chocolate, sugar, flour and macadamias in a large bowl. Coarsely chop half the raspberries. Add all the raspberries to the mixture. Stir to combine. Make a well in the centre.Whisk the egg, oil and buttermilk in a jug. Pour into the flour mixture. Gently stir until just combined. Spoon evenly among the pans. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Remove from oven, set aside for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

easter is in da house : coloured eggs & bunny ears

2010-04-04T08:02:00.001+10:00

Happy Easter! We're off to the park for our annual Easter Picnic - hope you have yourselves a relaxing day.

This years Easter crafting included new bunny ears (next year if I get myself organised I'll put together a tutorial on how to make them) and colouring boiled eggs. One project for me & one for the kids. Typically left to the last minute - yesterday. Aaah I wouldn't know myself if it was any other way!

Good Friday: Cleland Wildlife Park

2010-04-03T10:13:00.008+11:00

Yesterday was family outing day. Perfect weather for an afternoon stroll through the Cleland Wildlife Park . The last time I visited I was a child myself - so many fond memories that I am now able to share with my own children.

We started with a packed lunch - Ruby started with a lippy touch-up!

We tried feeding the Roos but they were in afternoon snooze mode

Getting up close with the koala is my fondest childhood memory - infact this photo is a little deja vu - I think I had my hair in plaits that day too! Is it bringing back memories Mum??

This duck had beautiful markings - the patterns & textures could inspire a handful of design ideas...mmmm

little legs were getting weary....

heading home with some new friends

printspace

2010-04-02T09:21:00.005+11:00

I recently purchased these prints for our children's room from Printspace while at the Bowerbird Bazaar. Created and produced by Mara & Nicolas Girling in Melbourne, Australia.

"Inspired by the design scene of the mid 20th Century and the world around us today, Printspace art prints are created to spark the imagination and make us smile".

Aren't they just delightful! Take a look at their online shop here

my lovely bluestone

2010-04-01T23:27:00.004+11:00

I've been planning and dreaming about this wall for about a year now. Today it came to life & I'm totally smitten. It's just a stone wall you may say - but to me it is a work of art. I suspect I may be having a love affair with it for quite some time.

Renovating can be trying at times when you don't have the right people on board, but when you get lucky it can be an utter joy. We are thankful to have found the diversely skilled Neil - a trusty man of many trades. He has almost been a permanent fixture here over the last 6 months, doing everything from building brick walls to paving and now the stone book leaf walling, followed by laying irrigation & turf.

The curved wall will step down into a grassed lawn area. It will be so nice to see some life and greenery in our dry dusty back yard. Given we are using roll out cut turf it will be instant colour. Another week and a bit to wait but it's all action and great to see so much production happening outside. With a 4 day weekend ahead of us for Easter it should mean lots of time spent in the great outdoors.

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter and enjoy lots & lots of yummy chocolate. I know I will!

fede in the press

2010-04-01T10:15:00.004+11:00

HERALD SUN HOME MAGAZINE MARCH 13 2010

This is the first time my mug has appeared in the printed press which made it a very exciting experience for this little maker. The telephone interview was quite nerve wrecking and I'm sure I waffled and waffled.... and then waffled some more!! Nervous energy makes me babble. Lucky for me the ears of a professional waffle sifter were at the other end to make sense of it all.

I am very grateful to all of you folk from Victoria (home of the Herald Sun) who have made contact with me and/or purchased toys from my online shop. Your response has been overwhelming and very flattering.

Thankyou to Louise and Joanne at the Herald Sun Home Magazine for putting it all together.

I will be uploading new toys and a hand full of new cushions into the shop over the next few days - products of my recent "making" frenzy!!

Also to come are photos of last weekends fabulous Bowerbird Bazaar......

the kitchen is finally finished

2010-03-21T22:42:00.006+11:00

Yay! Only 18 months after it started!!!

We love it. We spend so much time in our kitchen - cooking, eating, chatting, crafting, cleaning, drinking, entertaining, colouring, planning......... It truly is a multi-tasking space where we congregate.

Here's a pictorial journey from start to finish.

After sitting in the sunny diner one morning for a coffee I immediately decided it just had to stay. See here for the kitchen floor plan & design ideas.

we boxed around the original diner seats with new joinery

it may not be conventional, but it did the trick!

the splashback appeared 1 year later....

and the diner table was finally fitted last week - it's a hit with the whole family!!

baby tools ready to go

2010-03-20T13:38:00.003+11:00

to market to market

one week to go!

1. first tool set (baby rattles), 2. first spanner (baby rattle), 3. first golf club (baby rattle), 4. first axe (baby rattle), 5. rainbow utensils, 6. first hammer (baby rattle), 7. first lollipop (baby rattle), 8. first hammer (baby rattle), 9. first hammer (baby rattle)

a decade of change | year 2000

2010-03-13T07:25:00.001+11:00

I've been thinking a lot about this topic over the last couple of weeks. My brother and his wife welcomed their first child into the world, Ashton Jacob, on January 14th 2010.

A few nights later I was standing over the sink, where my thoughts often wander, and had this realisation. While scrubbing the white coloured chopping board I suddenly noticed how stained it was looking and reminisced about the time when I regularly bleached the chopping boards. Aaah, that other life I used to live (before I became a Mum). The life when I "thought" I was busy. If only I could go back to that life for a couple of days to feel what it's like from my new perspective. Does that make any sense?

So moving on, this got me thinking about my new nephew and the fact that he is of a new generation. A new decade. What do we call this decade? The teens? mmm

Now let me tell you this was going to be a looooooooooong post. Then I realised it was too long for one session so I'm going to post it as a series. Over the next few months I'm going to write about my last decade one year at a time.

I'd like to take this opportunity to daydream out aloud and create a record for future reading by myself and my family. Hopefully it may be a teeny bit interesting for you the reader - if not - I apologise and I hope you understand! Yes I am indeed being a tad indulgent.

So 2000 rolled around.

We were still kind of newly weds (married March 1999) but had been living together for several years (we had dated since Jan 1st 1991). On the 11th of February 2000 we purchased our first home together, a 2 bedroom 1970s townhouse with shag pile carpets and all. It was our first renovation project.

I was working in an office job which was extremely unfulfilling and at times stifling, but it was a means to an income as Dean had returned to 2 years of full time study. He had worked in the bank since leaving school and like me, was feeling a little crazy with boredom. He decided to change careers and complete a Bachelor of Information Systems, after already spending several years studying Accounting part time.

The creative me was at my happiest when performing with my friends in a local cover band called "Jellyhead".

We were a party band, covering top 40 hits through to 70's disco. We played at pubs, clubs and functions most weekends and had way too much fun hanging out together and pretending to be super rock stars!

Dean and I made wonderful, loving parents to Clive, our ginger cat from the animal shelter (who walked on 3 legs). He had the most quirky personality that even our cat loathing friends took a shine to him.

2000 was a year of attending weddings. If my memory is correct I think we attended 3 in one month at it's peak.

My hair went from short to a red bob to long and straight with no fringe.

Later that year I left my boring job for a role as a kitchen designer with a company I had already worked with on 2 previous occasions. In the past my role had involved way too much selling as I was paid on 100% commission (I designed fabulous kitchens that nobody could afford). This time they took me back on a salary. I was to design and manage joinery projects for builders and tender on commercial projects. It was a new role within the company which gave me a lot of scope to make it mine.

I really enjoyed this job but sometimes things are just not meant to be as something even better came along very quickly.

Only 2 months later I found myself employed as an Interior Designer with Cheeseman Architects, a family practice specializing in Education and Health projects. Whoa! What a learning curve. Before I could even make myself a coffee I was head down into redesigning a major hospital refurbishment in Adelaide (where it felt that I stayed for a long time). Not only that, I was presenting concepts to the CEO and hospital board members talking ever so confidently as if I had been doing it for years! Talk about a nerve wrecking experience. In hind sight though, this was the pivotal turning point in my career. It gave me a new confidence to know that someone believed enough in me to give me that opportunity.

Sadly I can't remember what we did for Xmas 2000. I will need to check in with the mother & mother-in-law to recall this one.

Stay tuned for 2001.

down under + family friendly

2010-03-09T11:42:00.003+11:00

Sound interesting? Well it is.... it's all about our family home! You've heard me ramble on about our renovations over the last year, so now you can check out some of the results. The house is still far from finished but thanks to selective photography we can show just the bits that are worthy and publicly presentable.

A while ago Tammy Everts from Apartment Therapy sent me an email through Flickr to see if I would be interested in an interview and a feature House Tour on AT. Would I? OMG.... absolutely!

Fast forward a few weeks and here it is.

Thanks so much Tammy and the team at AT. I am thrilled with the results.

PS. It's currently the no. 1 house tour on the website (.... I know.... I'm shameless... )

teatowels + housework

2010-03-06T12:51:00.000+11:00

There are a lot of very attractive teatowel designs around these days. I'm a sucker for teatowels - not so much using them - but I love looking at them. I especially have a soft spot for text in art so these designs are right up my alley.

Here's a couple of brekkie designs I purchased from Mr PS and thought they needed to be out for all to see. I stretched them onto a frame which I would probably not do again (the teatowels are not really big enough to get the look I was after) but anyway they still look OK.

Next I have my eye on this 'housework sucks' stunner from here. I'm planning to frame it for hanging in our entry for all to see & take note! Seriously... there is so much I'd rather be doing than cleaning and tidying! Ugh.

my talking fabrics

2010-03-05T21:38:00.005+11:00

When I spend a lot of time in my sewing room my brain starts to go into overdrive. My fabrics are all sitting out on their shelves and simultaneously yelling out ....."pick me...pick me". Yes! You may be right - perhaps I am borderline crazy (some may say genius??) but it is infact working for me in a creative way. The only problem I have with these talking fabrics is that they all inspire me at the same time and then I get all confused and leave the room with about 100 new design ideas. I need 100 assistants to help put it all into action.

Never the less I have managed to work through a couple of new ideas which I plan to test drive at the upcoming Bowerbird Bazaar.

Cushions - back where it all started a long time ago. I'm feeling the love again and hope to build up a little range. I'm currently drooling over vintage pillowcases I find while thrifting and the panel cushion is my version of granny chic (with just a bit of masculinity to make it not too fru fru).

Rainbow Utensils. Mix 'n Match softies in plain colours. The buyer gets to pick the colour combinations of their choice. To give you an idea of their size the knife is about 30cm / 1 foot in length. All going well I will be making them available in my Etsy shop some time in April.

a motherhood reminder

2010-02-18T23:24:00.004+11:00

Today was a wonderful day spent with my children. I know I truly don't stop to enjoy these moments enough in my life. You know, really being there in the present moment. I find I'm too often in transition stage from one task to the next. I remind myself not to say "in a minute" too many times but I know I do more than I should. Sorry guys!

So here I'm going to forever capture the beautiful faces and contagious joy I experienced today. A reminder for me to sit, chill, stop & be in the present moment with my beautiful children every day.

I'm taking the plunge

2010-02-10T17:41:00.011+11:00

Do you remember when I was contemplating taking part in the Stitches and Craft Show? I did a lot of thinking about it and decided in the end it was too risky for a first time market experience. This year I plan to be a buyer and maybe then a seller in 2011.

images courtesy of Bowerbird Bazaar

Instead, I'm joining forces with the fabulous Fiona of Hop Skip Jump and will be presenting myself and my toys at the next Bowerbird Bazaar, held in Adelaide this March. I am very excited to be sharing a stand with Fiona, whom I have long suspected was separated from me at birth. See here for further explanation. A big hello and welcome if you have popped over from the other Fiona's blog.

The Bowerbird Bazaar is a relatively new design market, held for the first time in Adelaide last October (2009). It is the brain child of 2 local business women, Jane Barwick of In-Sync Design and Rebekah Cichero, of One Small Room. For pics of last years event see here, courtesy of

Denis Smith.

So what this has done is make me into a mad crazy deadline driven sewing mama. Go Go Go!

If you are local then you really must mark this in your diary. Come and say hi!

BOWERBIRD BAZAAR - Adelaide's Design Market

March 26th - 28th 2010

Queens Theatre, Playhouse Lane, Adelaide

It has also motivated me to attend to an item that has been on my to-do list for at least 12 months. A sewing tutorial to make a fede baby hammer rattle. I will be making them available for the first time at the market in the form of a sewing kit, with cut fabric included. All going well I hope to then make a PDF tutorial/ebook that can be purchased online. Here's a sneaky peek.....

5 little duckies

2010-02-07T21:01:00.004+11:00

Well there will be 5 little washcloth duckies when I'm done. One more to go. With a new nephew, Ashton Jacob, born in January I have been busy in the sewing room making things for a baby package. My two busy bees spotted the duckies in process and couldn't understand why they weren't for them. So the duckie family grew to four. Then along came older cousin Krystin and before I knew it there was another duckie request. No surprises really - they are very cute!

The tutorial is here, courtesy of Martha Stewart.

One word of advice. Be sure to sew those wings on super tight. We had a casualty after the first day with one little duckie looking a little lop sided and sad. Having said this, Sachin, my 3 year old, did feel the need to take the duckie everywhere, all day and all night. Bless him.

I'm working in the background

2010-01-24T11:06:00.006+11:00

January has flown by. I have been working away in my sewing room and taking lots of photos which should mean that I'm here regularly sharing stuff with you.... but alas..... I'm a lazy ass!

Having darling husband at home means that I have absolutely no routine - every day is like a weekend - which I admit is fine and dandy but I'm just about ready now to get things back into order (don't laugh... I will). Kids are back into kindy this week so there is no excuse.

I've been having a great time so far with the 365 Project and finding lots of inspiration in the work of other more skilled photographers. Some of the other participants have amazing software knowledge and pull off some clever special effects - something I can aim to learn over the coming year.

Last year I accidentally discovered a huge shed of second hand furniture / bric-a-brac just up the road from our house. I popped in with the kids a couple of weeks ago to see what was new and found these gems.

I just love the lines and veneer in this piece. The guys in the shop told me it's a Danish miniature but I'm not sure how reliable that information is?? I think it's beautiful and have taken ownership of it as my bedside table.

This vintage outdoor setting will eventually go up on our balcony but requires a couple of minor alterations first. I love the linen fabric which is original from the 1950's but it's almost at the end of it's life. If I could rescue it I would but not sure how? It has become very thin with wear on top and started to split. I can see it will only be a matter of time before little fingers find their way into the hole and well, then it's all over! New upholstery will most certainly be required.

studio G is for me

2010-01-01T18:53:00.013+11:00

Oooh I just have to share with you this "new to me" blog I found while searching Google Images for some garden inspiration. I'm in love. I just want to sit here all night reading through the archive of posts on landscape ideas, products and designs. The author is Rochelle Greayer, a landscape designer who runs her own boutique design firm in Harvard, Massachusetts in the US.

She does a series of posts titled "can you make this into a garden?" one of which features this fashion sketch.

I think her concepts are clever and this "Chartreuse Garden Party" in particular is doing it for me - yes it's my favourite colour!!

Click here to read the article.

You know I'm quite new to this whole garden thing but I'm very excited to learn as much as I can and get my hands dirty as soon as our hard landscaping is finished (I'll show you some progress pics soon). I'm not sure at what stage I will be certified as a real gardener, but when I am I think I shall reward myself with one of these little beauties.

Growing Jewellery - a mini garden for your finger!

Now I'm just going to show you this table, designed by young designer Fredrik Paulsen, because it is soooooo groovy..... and I want one! I'm dreaming. There's no harm in that. I can imagine it at bar height out in the garden amongst the trees. Something to lean on while enjoying a cold beer in the summer heat. Yep, definitely dreaming.

So anyway, if you enjoy a little outdoor style then go check out Studio G.

365 | 2010

2009-12-31T08:04:00.009+11:00

Happy New Year to you all. I hope you had a wonderful festive season filled with good food, good company and plenty of laughter.

I've decided to jump on board and attempt to upload a photo a day in 2010 as a part of the 365 project. Here we go! The challenge I set myself is to capture our day to day "real" life and hopefully improve my photography skills along the way.

365 day 1 - it's all about pampering

I won't be boring you and posting my photos here each day but you can take a peek at my progress here if you are at all inclined.

baking tray printing

2009-12-14T19:25:00.006+11:00

If you are a parent or carer at home with pre-schoolers (or even schoolers now that the holidays have started) and looking for creative activities to keep them occupied then look here for a multitude of ideas by Amber, a clever mum with her own "two little craftmonkeys". You can even sign up and have weekly inspiration popped into your inbox. Too easy.

Today we made our own hand printed Christmas Cards using this tutorial. Ruby (who is 4) was able to do most of this on her own with just a little assistance. She was just beaming with a sense of achievement at the end.

The thing I like about this activity is that other than a paint roller (which we purchased at the local hardware store for a couple of dollars) everything else you will need is probably in your house. This is good for me as I tend to do things on the spur of the moment with little (ok honestly usually no) forward planning. Yes Mum.... nothing has changed! Often my ways lead me to creative thinking as I'm left to find substitutes for ingredients or materials I don't have at hand. This has resulted in some disasters along the way but also made the making fun and the end product uniquely ours.