The glass half full..

I am not a fan of winter. The cold is not my friend.
I love the sun, singlet tops and that sunkissed feeling at the end of the day.
Last winter I was pregnant so did not suffer too badly but the winter before that....sheesh it was cold.
BUT I have decided to list the things I do actually love about the chillier months, find the positives in the winter that is upon us. Here goes:

                               I love scarves, Beanies, hot chocolates, warm snuggly knits. 

                               Ugg boots are definately my friends. Cosy throws on the lounge. 

                               Warm hot pot stews for dinner.

                               tea.

                               Jackets and Boots. I love Boots.

                               Knitting.

And last of all, knowing spring is soon! Cheeky I know.

A challenge

We are on a saving wave at the moment. A friend of mine has decided to challenge herself to not buying anything new for a year - except groceries, personal hygiene products and underpants. I quite like the thought of this. I would be completely hopeless at it! Its especially hard with the kids. But still, something about it..... I like the thought of a challenge.

Hmmm, what could my challenge be? I have quite an accumulation of fabric in my cupboard and thought maybe I could challenge myself to use up my supply of fabric, and at the same time trying to make new things. this = no fabric purchases, Oh my!! So I will have to re-inspire myself with the fabrics. Try looking at them with a new eye.  I could set a time limit but I think I will set a sewing list or time limit - for example 20 items or 6 months, whichever comes first. I think it would be interesting to see what I could come up with.

watch this space!

Catch up

With the wedding over (yes you are going to hear about this for awhile!!) My time is no longer focused on planning and I am slowly getting back into the things that had been put aside or on hold.

Today I decided to flick over some blogs and suddenly realised how long it has been since I have caught up with some of my favourites and how much crafting has been going on while Ive been gone!

I have got my sewing bug back and am excited to create the next thing.

I was also faced with a deadline with a birthday party this weekend. 

And so a mini patchwork bag was made. Quite cute I thought and the little Miss was extremely happy with it. We just need to pick out some lipgloss and lollipops to fill it for Sunday. 

I am also this close to finishing this quilt. I only have the binding to do - exciting!

Without even trying

In an attempt to grow our own veggies again, we turned over the soil, raised the garden bed, planted (as per instructions on back of packet) carrots, capsicum and cucmber seeds, and fed the soil with fertiliser. Lots of watering when it was dry. Plently of sun.

Slowly slowly carrots started to sprout and the cucumber vine started twisting and weaving, even making some flowers but sadly no cucumbers and absolutely no sign of a capsicum, not even a sprout.

Can you believe randomly - out of nowhere - some tomatoes have started growing!

No trying whatsoever. They are not even growing in the spot that we turned! And there are quite a few bunches of tomatoes growing. 

Who knew I was so clever!

Meanwhile back in the patch, after everything else has faded, finally capsicum have risen to the occasion and three good size capsicums are ready to be picked.

We will try again, but maybe we should just not try so hard!

a quilt turned pillow...

I have three quilts on the go. I seem to find it easier to start another one than finish one. 

 I think I am good at the starting process but get mentally stuck at leaping into finishing stage.

Remember the fresh flowers charm squares I was given (last easter!) and the summer house charm square pack I bought at christmas time - both of these half done - and then the quilt I was making for my daughter. 

Make that I had three quilts on the go! I finally finished a quilt. 

Well, I finished it because it morphed into a pillow project instead!

After sewing all the strips together, I just wasn't feeling it as a quilt and was stuck for where to go next with it. It has been sitting in the to-do pile for too long and i finally got it out again, and realised it would make a long pillow perfectly. folded in half and sew three sides - easy as that. 

I did take a couple of days wondering how to fill it, saved by a quick trip to Ikea for 6 99cent pillows which I sewed three together end to end -  flukily this was an eacxt match for size and then filled the pillow full with the three randomly stuffed in and voila - a pillow for my princess.

One very happy princess with her new pillow.

Now to find time to finish these other quilts..... or maybe start a new one!!

Do it yourself Wedding Bouquets, I did!

I made my bouquet. 

It worked and was even fun. 

We made two beautiful rose filled bouquets for a total of $30

Looking back - being told by a snooty florist that she wouldn't even talk to me about 'wedding flowers' without me paying her a Fifty!  She should have paid me a fifty!! 

I came home this same day and searched google on the tradition of wedding flowers,
Why did we need them?
 The tradition stems from the days ago when people did not take baths everyday, only in June and the flowers masked the smell of the unwashed bride. This made sense but I considered that I could take a bath/shower. Hey, I could even spritz on some perfume!

I just wanted to get married, not spend my life savings, savings for my family, on bits and bobs to say I do to the man I love. Does this make sense?

Sure it is a landmark in the life story of one's book, Im not denying that it was a significant moment in my life, a moment to be treasured...but Really? 

Remember I bought that beautiful bunch of flowers and made a practise bouquet?
The florist shut shop a week later. Without notice closed the doors.
Was I meant to have flowers?!
Luckily I had made plans to visit the flower markets which was the best thing I did.

Got ribbon and florist pins from lincraft and watched lots of how to videos and was very pleased with the bouquets on the day.

If you are thinking of doing it yourself (why not) my top tips would be:

• research where you are going to get your flowers beforehand 
• do a practise run, and make sure you space it the same as you will for your wedding. By this I mean if you are going to buy them wednesday and make them thursday for a friday wedding do this all beforehand to make sure they will last the distance.
•  Allow for limp or broken heads when thinking about how many flowers you will need.
• Make sure you have enough containers to put all the bunches in and somewhere for them all to be. I didnt put them in the fridge, but kept them all in water and using fresh flowers meant they did last. Leaving them in the water hydrates the flowers.

warm cuppa on a rainy day

Could there be more rain?? Surely there isn't any left in the sky.

Luckily for me, my beautiful new sister-in-law gave me the most devine snuggley cup just for these occassions. It fits so nicely in my hand and my hot drinks taste so delicious from it.

Its from Tea 2 and it is quite handy, with a matching little lid and fitted strainer making it a cup of fabulousness! I just have trouble deciding what to drink!

This morning it was a close call but hot chocolate was the winner. 

A crafty afternoon

We are loving the holidays, unplanned days with sleep ins, late nights, play dates, trips to the cinemas and so far no homework!! I had the best intentions for the holidays but the break has been so nice I haven't pushed the issue. We have started reading for the premiers challenge, so thats something!

The other day we managed to sneak in some afternoon craft

 It was well recieved by both of them, though my little miss definately spent alot more time on hers than he did. But the enjoyment was still there for them both and I enjoyed watching and even getting to help a little. I was surprised at how uniform they were in their designs making both shoes quite matching. 

Obviously this craft called for symmetry.

I can not take credit for this craft - we got the idea from our very good friends who had done this the day before we visitied them for a playdate.

I picked up the white canvas sneakers at Big W for under $5 (I didnt mention to him that they were from the girls department! - not necessary information really - white slip on canvas sneakers scream unisex) And while our good friends used paint, I thought we would use fabric markers - more design control for little hands, less mess for mum!!

And they have not taken them off since. They are loving wearing them everywhere.

Just Married!!

Its official, we are Mr and Mrs.

The weather was magic and the day was splendid (though not without nerves of course!)

I could not stop smiling from the moment I woke up, till my head hit the pillow.

The day rolled on just as we had planned. This was an added bonus as I was so stoked to be getting married to my Mr Wonderful, that all the added extras were just extras. But it was lovely when it all seamlessly worked.

 The boat ride in and out of the heads was quite rocky and an adventure in itself but the ceremony was smooth sailing! And my youngest in his tuxedo jumpsuit was so very well behaved, throughout the whole day, bless his cotton socks. I was quietly nervous about him in the leadup and in his usual cool style he was a pure little gentleman, getting in a quick sleep before the ceremony so he could join in the festivities with us all.

 Now an official family in our glamourous couture

The reception party was lots of fun, filled with our family and close friends, we had a ball.

I cant believe its over, all the planning, it was like the day was on fast forward. 

Now to enjoy wedded life!

Words of Wisdom

At my hens, I was gifted this beautiful jar, full of words of wisdom.

All the girls filled out a card with their words of wisdom for this upcoming bride.

Such a sweet idea and something I can cherish for a long time.

And what were some pieces of advice you ask.....

and my favourite!