I just couldn't say no!

I took the opportunity this morning to read some fave blogs (which sadly I haven't done in waaaay too long) and up jumped Elsie Marley with her Kids Clothes Week Challenge Fall 2012. I've not participated for a while and itching to get back into it I said YES YES YES! Bring it on.

Spring is here and with it seems to come new energy - feels much like shedding an old lazy skin that grows over in the winter - if you know what I mean!! Additionally, summer clothes are quick and easy to make. This is an important factor now that I have three little people to please.

While I've been absent I have been collating lots of ideas on my Pinterest boards. I have a collection of bigger girls wear for Ruby (who just turned 7). Here are some of my summer favourite looks for her.

Then there is this board for boy looks for Sachin (who will soon be 6). I'm thinking I might try up-cycling some of Dad's T-shirts to make shorts or PJ's - inspired by these pants by Ffarmom

Last but certainly not least is the little girls style inspiration for Quinn (17 months). There's so many to choose from (and of course having an older sister she already has copious amounts of clothing) but these are some of my favourite summer looks.

Why don't you join me? All you need is a sewing machine and 1 hour each day.... tempted????

just because it's not Halloween..

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.

{ this moment } a day late!

{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....

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

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!

KCWC 2011 | Unicorn Dress

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

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

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 }

{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.

{ this moment }

{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.

body art

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!

2010 Christmas Pageant

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.

boy versus girl bedroom

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.