The beginnings of my own quilt

After receiving some charm squares for easter, I took a little time to think what I could make and selfishly decided I would love a quilt for myself and this pack was perfect for me.
There is a quilt in the 'Material Obsession' quilt book I was given at Christmas that caught my eye so I thought I would use it for inspiration and off I set.
It was so relaxing playing with the colours and placing them in little sets.
Im thinking of adding a thin red material line around the squares between white to add a little punch to it. I cant even imagine what material to use for the flip side yet....... hmmmm
But I cant wait to continue it

Short OR Long????

This pregnancy has made my hair gross and limp and lifeless. I feel blah and my hair days are mostly bad days which isnt helping much.
I cant stop thinking about a restyle! Today I spent my morning checking out other womens hairstyles and thinking about how glamourous I would be if I lopped off my locks for a cute short do. It would obviously change my life!!  I struggle with these pie in the sky thoughts and the reality of chopping it and getting home underwhelmed at the new style, regretting the years it takes to regrow!

Hmmm..... short, long, long, short, short short, long, long...... hmmmmm

 vs

A rainy day scrappy quilt

We woke to a rainy day..... a stay at home day. Cant think of anything better to do than make a dolly's quilt out of scraps. I got out my box of scraps and made a pile of pieces I'd like to use.
Then I just randomly cut them and laid them all out, trying to make a rectangle shape. It seemed to take shape quite nicely.

It was when I had to start sewing it together I suddenly realised the challenge I had set myself. Using such irregular pieces made piecing together for this novice quite tricky.
As I sewed more and more pieces together I could see the bits that were better sewn together first before other pieces, and I was also enjoying watching Bedknobs and broomsticks my girl had put on.

Well, it took the whole day! Yes, who would of guessed a little dolly blanket taking the whole day!
But I finished it and it looks beautiful. Its not perfect but thats what makes it special, and I learned a few things for the next one.

A perfect fit for the dolly bed... without even sizing it up! Dolly is quite pleased and sleeping soundly......

And I have the itch to sew something else!

** The ShOW **

We decided this year we would head to the Royal Easter Show.
I haven't been in three years and I was really excited to take the kids as I always loved going when I was young. The kids were excited too, they woke up early got dressed and were eager to head off.

We entered through the gates and straight into watching the dogs circuit jumping, then headed about checking everything out.
We checked ourselves out in the crazy mirrors..

I love the woodchopping, though we didnt actually get to see any, the axe throwing was fun to watch.

We enjoyed sitting in the arena and watching the performance cars and freestyle motorbikes while eating some lunch. 

And we could wait no longer and headed straight over to the showbag pavillion. Yes I am a big kid and was still excited about the showbags! It was the highlight of the show when I was young, and I still found myself excited about them even knowing I didnt really need the things just because they were grouped in a bag together! BUT somehow the bag makes all the difference!!!!

This year the Pavillion did not seem as big or as enticing.... maybe I am getting too big.
The kids, however, thought it was fun and were thrilled with their bags.

After some negotiation, I got to look at the arts and crafts pavillion and the cakes were absolutely amazing... Vegemite jars, purses with puppies, picnic settings, Noahs arc, circus tents and noodle bowls, oh my! the intricate details on some of them were spectacular.

How cool is this Noodle Wok

I love the food hall, and was still wowed by the agricultural displays..

Daredevil boy enjoyed some rides while my sweetie put balls in the clown mouths

And they enjoyed the log ride together, only a slight splash at the end but lots of smiles.

The lumberjack show was very entertaining (very staged) but we all enjoyed it alot (I especially enjoyed the sit down for half hour!) YOu should have seen the boys climb those two poles.. like lightening up then down.

And of course the animals.... we saw a goat being shawn, and that was all as the smell put the kids off!

This area was Kids world, lots of rides and games for young show goers and a big tent that I thought would be filled with lots of fun things to do and see but was slightly (alot actually) disappointed upon entering, it seemed it was very commercialised and just selling products for kids. I dont remember the show being this commercialised, was this just because I was much younger and didn't have my grown up glasses on? I remember a big hall where you could look in a fire truck and ambulance and play games and things - I think road safety games or the such... it just didnt seem to be the same. Maybe having two little people in tow changed my perspective

What a great day out we had. Can you believe I lasted at the show from 10am till 7PM!

A Happy *Dairy* Easter

6.30am get up!!!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE

Check out their chocolate stash.

It seems the Easter Bunny came in through the back door this year. 

He left a train and a dolls house but they were EMPTY! So a-hunting we did go.

They were extremely cute running around finding eggs and exclaiming their finds!

Coops was slightly disappointed with all the chocolate and no toys! I explained how previously he couldn't eat the chocolate so the easter bunny had to substitute for him, but now he could eat dairy (in a very excited tone, that didnt seem to sway him) he could get choc eggs!

So he got stuck into a chocolate bunny, one filled with smarties, and poor thing needed water becuase he felt sick and has sworn off chocolate for the rest of the week!!

I have obviously been good too as I got a big bunny and a beautiful silver egg with a ribbon. 

But I must admit, that my most favourite easter gift is a pack of charm squares specially from my sister in the country, THANKS JO XX

A friendship of slice

It seems these days we live such a fast pace of life.

Moving from one thing to the next, passing like ships.

Mostly a quick hello as you go this way and they go that way.

The other day, out of the blue, a girlfriend dropped in with a lemon slice she had made for us. I was taken a back as it was such a lovely gesture and so sweet to take time to make it and bring it over.
Made me realise how thankful I am for such friends and how I should stop and take time out for others too.

I know you are thinking the tupperware container is empty.... well all I can say is the slice didn't last long! It was delicious and was very helpful in my carb loading for my glucose test!

A sticky one

My daughter has discovered the movie Annie and of course Loves it.

The other night while singing hard knock life she questioned the part about why Santa doesnt go there ("Santa Claus we never see, Santa Claus, Whats that, Who's he") 

"Doesn't he like them" she asked.. Hmm Good question my baby girl! I said without really thinking 'Maybe because they dont write him letters'. 'Neither do I' she quickly replied "But you get to visit him and talk to him and tell him what you want and he knows all about you"

She thought about this for a minute and then asked if I know santas phone number! No I replied... and then she asked...... could we google his number!!!!

A little holiday movie

Check out my cuties having a little fun during school holidays

More washing..... an addiction!

I have recently been selected to trial a washing product. I am usually a powder girl myself, I pre-scrub and dont use softners. But this trial product was a Gel! hmmm a scary thought. I actually had never heard of a gel in the laundry and never use liquids as I find them messy and have had stained clothes before where the liquid has hit the clothes and not washed properly.
But this has ALL changed. I am converted.

The washing process has become so easy... no pre soaking or scrubbing.... just pop some gel in the lid and pop it into the machine, press a button and go have  a cup of tea!

 The clothes were not only really clean, they were soft and smelt SO fresh. The smell was hit you in the face type freshness, something my powder never gives me. And the fresh smell really lasts.

The results were really amazing.

But.... the product only exists in the UK and I am down to nearly my last wash...... I have a big unopened box of OMO ready to be used but I would sooner give it to the neighbours.... I want more Gel! 

Need more shoes!

I dont seem to have much luck with shoes.... It takes me forever to find a shoe thats just right and they  always seem to fall apart too soon and Im left looking again for the perfect pair of shoes.
I find I am so choosy, a real fuss pot when looking. And not only do I need one pair of shoes to replace my favourite flats, I need a pair for an upcoming wedding and something casual like thongs. I must be growing up as I am actually thinking about getting some birkenstocks! They have always looked so unappealing to me and for some reason I am being drawn in and think I need a pair!

The shoe saga continues as I also need to find a pair of shoes for my son to wear to the wedding and my daughter needs new sneakers! Shoes Shoes Shoes!

A quilt for the baby..

After all the quilt sewing for friends and family, I was busting to make my new bub a quilt. 

Im not sure if it will be for bed or play, it is only the first design!

The sex of the baby is going to be a surprise, making the colour choice of material a little more tricky. 

I used Sherbert Pips charm squares which I have had my eye on for awhile.

 I love the result

My free motion is improving and I really enjoy the technique, though its quite taxing on my wrists and back! but I think it was worth it.

To process or to process

I think I need a food processer. I am not one to be wowed by gadgets and think they just create more washing up. I do however love my mix master and use it ALL the time. I have even started using it for my pastries and doughs, and it continues to make me smile.

After too many attempts at bashing biscuit packets with a wooden spoon making a biscuit base for a cheesecake or lemon slice I think there is room in my kitchen for a processer!
I decided to go have a look and got totally confused and came home. What are the features I should be looking for, what is the difference between them all besides the prices... do I need one with a blender attached? I was watching weekend Kitchen yesterday and one chef had a groovy red one that looked the ticket..... will have to google it!

The Tag

First game of the new season. We have been pumping him up to make a tag. 

Its the first one that's the hardest and Im sure it will be tagging city once its done. He's got the speed and agility but for some reason he hesitates everytime.

WELL..... see you later hesitation! Today was the day

Tagged.

This was my favourite shot. He had already made a tag in the game and of course, it was just the beginning. He chased his opponent down and whilst he didn't quite tag him he skidded across the mud trying and thats what counts.

I was so proud of my little number 11.

A great game and a big wash....

This week I am on jersey duty!