Full of craft

My little miss was home from school with an annoying cough.  A lazy couch day was in order. Though it turned into a super productive craft day for me! She asked me to sit on the lounge and knit with her, an offer I couldn't refuse.

I cut up a few colour on the gos - to sew and sorted through scraps in anticipation of making Mabel the monkey. I then started and finished another bunny - one for Skye's teacher who is due her first baby the same time as me.

I really like his colour combination

AND I finished a cushion for the rocking chair (which matches the nearly finished quilt and bunting) (isn't the chair looking fantastic - thanks kiwi x)

I am also really proud of my knitting efforts. I just decided to DO IT. And I am actually understanding the pattern and it looks right! I did stuff up on the first purl row, but halfway through I realised what I had done and how to fix it - yeah me!

I even worked out how to work in stripes!

BUT

now I am up to the bit that says 'Shaping' ....... fingers crossed I can!

A lunch invitation

One of the kindy mums has invited us all for lunch tomorrow. What a lovely idea. I hardly know any of them, only faces as I drop off or pick up! So it would be nice to meet and have a chat with them.
Its a 'bring a yummy plate to share' invite and I am inspired by the above picture! Im thinking little cucumber and cream cheese spread sandwiches, mini sausage rolls and bite-size apple pies.  Only problem is my sweet pea has come home sick from school today, which may mean no school tomorrow and I feel exhausted (in general really) and have not a clue where I will get time or energy to fulfil my inspiration!

But doesn't that picture look inspiring.

A floral attempt

My first crochet flower.

Its not too bad dont you think, for my first go.

I was babysitting my neice last night and thought it was the perfect opportunity to hook some yarn! So I started to get the hang of it but my flower has an extra hole  then the picture and I realise I was getting a little confused with slip stitches and single crochet! and then i started to make it up a little as I got a little lost with the pattern. So it doesn't look tooo bad considering!

Did I mention i snapped one of my hooks in the process :) Maybe I was a little heavy handed!!

But this will not spoil my intent, I am still motivated to keep calm and knit/crochet on!

Baby Bunting

I am slowly organising things for the baby. I really wanted to make some bunting to hang above the cot.

I am really pleased with it, quite cute.  

It was surprisingly easy to make. I cut out the desired amount of triangles, I made mine double sided so 18 triangles. Sewed the two sides together (pieces right side facing), then turned them right side out. Then it was as easy as placing the triangles equally apart inside the bias binding and sew... in a straight line! Easy and fun.

It took me awhile to pick the materials and then after making it, I decided I needed a cot quilt to match. I am halfway through making it and had been spending time placing the material that I started to rethink my material choices and not like it!! 

I haven't looked at it for a few days and came back to it and I realise it is actually quite cute and stop worrying!!

Check these little cuties out....

I had a coffee catch up with my friend this morning and she had lots of little surprises for me which I was so grateful for. These little sockies were amongst them and they are SO SMALL, SO WHITE, I SO CANT WAIT!!

soft blossom bunny....

I received the cutest book for my birthday.

And I must admit, was a little daunted by the amazing creations within it. I love how each creation comes with a full pattern to trace and cut out, not just measurements. And I also love (among many other things) that each creation comes with a blog address to follow up on more creative spirits.

I decided to start with my very own Blossom Bunny and it was actually so quick and easy and I think its so very very cute, Im going to make it in a few different sizes.

Ive got a few other projects on the go and a thousand ideas in my head but Im thinking in between I'll next attempt Mabel Monkey.

A cake for a princess

It was my niece's Baptism on the weekend and I proudly became her Godmother. Yes I did. I was so thrilled at the priveledge and it was a really beautiful day.

I also got to make the cake for the special day. (Though I didnt do the floral arrangement which finishes it off perfectly) How nervous was I when the waitress served it! Especially as its not a traditional cake as I made it egg free. But everyone (politely) ate it.

Here are some of my favourite pics from the day......

do you remember...

Do you remember when I joined a knitting group and was making a cowl with that gorgeous green wool? Well I can hardly remember either! I got stuck not really knowing how to read the pattern properly and time was being consumed by my design course at the time. Now I have more time, no course and a baby on its way I am extremely excited to get some little knitting projects happening.

I decided though to give crochet a go. I thought it may be a little simpler. I got a hook, some wool, watched youtube and borrowed a few books from the library. I just couldn't seem to get the knack of it.

I realised (but it took awhile!!) that I wasn't quite giving myself a fair chance to get it right as my tools were not right. My hook was too big and the wool the wrong thickness for anything!!!

I finally got onto a great tutorial by Teresa and I got myself a range of hooks, found the started cowl and realised that wool would be perfect so I unraveled the cowl beginnings and sat with computer by side and a cup of tea and  voila.....

Its not perfect but a great start and I was thrilled it looked like a babies beanie. I also understand so much more of what the pattern means and why and how. Still a novice but feeling so much better about it and still motivated.

I also got out the wool that wasnt working for me and while still motivated decided to practice some more knitting....

It started well. But somehow (and Im still not sure how! puzzling puzzling) my stitches started to increase and I got to the point where I could hardly fit them on my needle! But this was not such a bad thing as I quickly learned how to decrease! all part of the experience.

So Im feeling even more confident and got a cute baby knits book from the library, some more wool that is super soft and intend to try knitting a cotton beanie.

I think I can understand the instructions, though Im sure it will still be a challenge.

My favourite part of the day

Today was a late get up after the confirmation last night, but the kids were so great and got ready for school to make it on time as I was up for kindy reading this morning. I met with a friend for a mani/pedi which was very relaxing and my nails were in such a desperate need of attention (which the lady made sure I knew!) 

I love the colour, just right for the baptism on sunday. 

My day also included a little shopping and a walk in the sun that has finally come out (fingers crossed it stays for the weekend) had some lunch, baked a cake and got dinner cooking. Overall a good day, but I have to say that when my boy got up from his spot in class to race over and give me a big goodbye hug after reading had finished, my heart smiled so big. THAT was the favourite part of my day.

Back to the machine

I am proudly going to be the sponsor to a special little friend for her confirmation and thought I would make her a little something for the occassion.

A little purse to carry special things in. I love the fun colours in the material and hope she does too.

I am finding the more I sew the more it works if you concentrate on little details like the material being cut exactly to size and ironing each stage really makes a nicer finish. When I started I was a little hap hazzard with my pieces. And they still finished well, but I can slowly see the differences in a little more care. Maybe I am growing up!! haha

And the decision was...

I know you are all dying to know what the outcome of my hairdressers trip was! Well it was..............

SHORT!  but not too short. A bit of a danni minogue do! ANd I Love it. Though if I continue to keep eating, I will be far from Danni! And now I am off for some icecream!

An afternoon for Devonshire Tea

Outside the rain fell and the wind blew past and it was the perfect day for sewing, cleaning and baking.
And was finished off nicely by an afternoon of devonshire tea with my good friend. I was thinking about scones all afternoon yesterday but when I got home I forgot to make them! But was all for the best as they were much nicer with company.

First I made the scones, mmmm straight from the oven

I laid the table all out

I used my special plates. They are very cute, all about bags and just perfect for an afternoon tea.

It was unfortunately too short as we both had to be somewhere but was a lovely hour, just taking a moment to sip some tea, eat scones with jam and cream and have a laugh together.

23 weeks already ...

We had our scan and all is just as it should be. My belly is like a basketball and seems to have grown so  much in just one week!

I have to admit I would not make a very good scanographer as I could hardly tell what we were looking at most of the time. But amongst all the darth vader look-a-like images we saw the baby poke its tongue out! Was so sweet and real. I cant wait to have this baby. I love being a mother.

one of my favourites

I have been baking alot lately. Firstly to make sure there is always goodies for lunch boxes and after school but also to satisfy my cravings!! I cant seem to curb my hunger at the moment. Ive eaten dinner, had a tea and snuck a treat and Im still considering making some toast. The other morning I was lying in bed contemplating dinner and we hadn't even had breakfast yet!! Maybe I am having a boy....

One of my favourites to make for the family is this chocolate slice.

Its very easy and very delicious.

Base

125g butter

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup coconut

1/2 cup plain flour

1/3 cup self raising flour

1 tablespoon cocoa

2 tablespoons of apple puree (this is instead of egg)

Icing

1 cup icing sugar

1 tablespoon cocoa

1 teaspoon soft butter

1 tablespoon milk

How to:

1. Preheat oven to 190 degrees C

2. Sift flours and cocoa into a bowl. Add brown sugar and coconut.

3. Melt butter over low heat and then mix in apple puree.

4. Pour butter mixture into dry ingredients and mix well.

5. Place mixture into 28 x 18cm laminton tin (or close as!) that is lined with baking paper. Baake for 20 minutes or until just firm to touch.

6. While base is cooking make the icing - sift icing sugar and cocoa into bowl stir in butter and milk to make a thick paste

Spread with icing immediately after taking base out of oven, sprinkle with coconut or sprinkles and let stand to cool. Then cut into bars or squares.

ENJOY x  

Our very own everyday hero

Mental Health affects everybody these days. I know. The mind is such a powerful thing.
If it can be harnessed it can do such wonderful things.

My cousin is harnessing his power and is riding his bicycle from Sydney Tarongah zoo to Dubbo zoo to raise money for the black dog institute.

take a look here and please donate if you can.

Home after Hamming it up!

What a holiday. From the moment we landed we enjoyed ourselves. And it was especially nice having some warm days again. Hamilton Island was such fun for all of us, a great family holiday destination. So relaxing, playing on the beach and swimming in the pool.

We were there for my cousins wedding and it was such a lovely destination to be married.  The bride looked radiant and the couple were so happy. And we were the cutest guests!

On our last full day the kids enjoyed an afternoon at kids club while we enjoyed sitting by this pool having a drink. Life is so uncomplicated on holidays with a view like this.

The kids favourite of favourites was our red buggy, and I must admit I loved it too. It complimented the relaxed style with no cars about, the breeze in your hair and the way it zipped around town - too much fun. Cant wait till we return (all 5 of us!!)