I’m sneaking this in before midnight… not much to report. I now have two clean cut children, well their hair has been cut. We did sneak in a 4pm trip to the op shop. Not the best idea I’ve had. Two overtired children and one cranky and overtired old op shop lady didn’t make for a calm and pleasant shopping experience. There wasn’t much of interest today, a few kids books (shhhhh), a couple of pink tops that Mr Tweetheart doesn’t like (pfft).

and a couple of aprons, a few zips and some tracing paper

xoxo

Today wasn’t really a lazy day for me. We went to gymnastics and got busy literally jumping through hoops. We also went to the hairdressers! I thought the appointment was for the kids, but when we got there they were expecting me. Who am I to argue? So I’m now sporting a cute little fringe and hair that looks bigger than ever. It must be the layering and air drying (I wasn’t hanging around with kids in tow for a hollywood blow wave!).

Someone who most definitely IS lazy though, is our cat. Yep, thats not a trick of the light, he only has one eye. He lost the other at about 1 year old, a fight with a car It doesn’t worry Indi though, he manages just fine, and has mastered the talent of drinking from the toilet. ew. To his merit though, Indi is endlessly patient with children, gently lashing out (claws in) only when pushed to the limit. His very best friend is Zoe. She is responsible for feeding him (with assistance), opens the door to let him in and out at his whim, and lets him sleep on her bed. Well, she is asleep when it happens, but isn’t mildly allergic like the rest of us.

In my wanderings today I came across the Lazy Days sew-a-long happening this week via One Crafty Mumma. If you haven’t heard of the lazy days skirt pattern its a simple & free pattern from Oliver & S. A great first project for a new seamstress. I think a lazy day skirt is on the cards for me tomorrow, I’d like to make a biggie one for me too!  I have actually plugged in my sewing machine and overlocker. I’ve begun a cute dress for Z. Only problem is the armhole bias binding, I thought using a wide bias I had would be OK, but it isn’t being very nice… Maybe a photo tomorrow if you promise not to look too closely at the armholes OK, I’m off to watch gossip girl on DVD… and wish for long hair like Serena.

xoxo

Well I’m happy to report that my sewing mojo is coming back. Although I’m yet to plug in the machine (gasp!), there is a growing pile of garments awaiting their time with the needle. A couple of tops requiring straps, a woman’s skirt being refashioned into a dress for Zoe, a doona cover waiting to be made from gorgeous vintage fabrics, the list goes on. To add to the list I cut out these two using the ’Reversible Kimono Dress’ pattern from Manimina. I really love the vintage sheet one.

Gee, I need to iron them! I’m cutting out a third dress this morning. I don’t like my chances of sewing tonight, because something more exciting is happening… WE PICK UP OUR CARAVAN!

The giveaway this week is in two parts, I’ll add something else to the parcel over the weekend, and draw the winner on Tuesday (when I’ll begin another giveaway). To be in the running just leave a comment on this blog before midnight Monday the 19th. Get another entry by mentioning this giveaway on your blog

First up, a selection of 7 vintage kimono fabrics. The pieces vary in size, but I’m sure a crafter will come up with a use!

Check out all the giveaways happening as part of Blogtoberfest over at Curlypops … where I should add this!

I nervously await your comments    

xoxo

When can 4 percent make an enormous difference? When its a change in your home loan rate, or perhaps when a lovely dress you try on at the op shop contains FOUR PERCENT METAL. This is a true story…

I’ve been admiring a very cute casual denim dress/tunic a friend of mine owns for a long while. She bought it a couple of seasons ago, and I will admit to keeping my eyes peeled for my very own. Cut to Friday… I’ve had a lovely morning with my mums’ group ladies, we’ve sipped tea, supervised trampoline jumping, chatted, eaten cheese fondue and amired my mother’s flower arrangements. The other mums head home and I decide its time to break my op shop ban. Op shop number one (Vinnies) is a successful trip, the children make use of the amenities numerous times (insert rolled eyes), and I purchase a couple of tops, some great leggings (brand new), $3  jeans, an 80s barbie type doll (but bigger)  and a Sweet Valley Twins book for a dear little friend.

Op Shop number two (Salvos) provides the children with an opportunity to take their shoes off (rolled eyes again) and try roller skates for the first time (unsuccessfully). While they are so busy in the toy corner I have a good look through the clothing and come up with a pair of pants that fit like a glove AND.. a denim tunic! Off to the change rooms I go. I manage to keep the tunic on (which fits well and looks great) for approximately 2 seconds. It is the most uncomfortable scratchy, prickly thing I’ve ever worn. I immediately check the tag to find out what the fabric is made up of.  96% cotton/ 4% METAL. What madman designed a fabric containing metal? why? It has baffled me ever since.

I wonder who this little scamp has been watching?

xoxo

OK, this post has nothing to do with onions REALLY, I couldn’t even use any while cooking this evening because the one that was left was sprouting and smelt funny…. Buuuuut, I did wear this apron.

A lovely, crisp thrifty find

My lovely mum came over today, did some tidying and brought lots of flowers from her garden! I’m hosting mother’s group tomorrow and she wanted me to appear to be a domestic goddess, but who are we kidding? The flowers are very pretty, and have made my nose very tickly!

Please notice the clear surfaces on which these are sitting…. You can even see the floor in my sewing room. Oh yeah, daddy-o and the kids planted the strawberries yesterday. Doesn’t the handpainted pot look great? The kids think they do!  We used washable powder paints, so I’m not sure how long the designs will last….

xox

So I mentioned a couple of days ago about my crisis of confidence in what I wear. I’ve thought about it and the problem is that I just don’t put any effort in anymore. We really don’t go anywhere fancy, but I would like to improve the way I’ve been dressing, because it does improve the way I’m feeling. Sooooo, I’m going to start joining in Watcha Wearing Wednesday, so at least on Wednesdays I’ll be more conscious. I’m not sure the best way to take a photo… Tate took this…

Pretty ordinary, I know, but I can only go up from here (I hope). Light cotton top bought in Kuranda near Cairns and favourite witchery jeans with daggy op shop jag cardi (didn’t wear this out) I promise something more exciting next week! With a better photo

I’ve decided to start a give away every week for as long as I’ve got goodies to give away (a long time, believe me). I’m thinking ‘Give Away Tuesday’ has a nice ring? I’ll sort out next Tuesday’s goody and include it in the blogtoberfest list. Exciting huh!! And finally, a 2 year old comedian to brighten your day. Thoroughly enjoying her cuppa of camomile, or perhaps just the camera… wearing her rainbow dress

Please note the santa mug they won’t let me discard   xox

Its no secret that I love strawberries. To eat and anything with a strawberry motif. My most beloved strawberry themed item is this apron. It is very well worn and almost falling apart but I still love it to bits. A long time ago before children, in the summer of 2000 I would wear it ‘half apron’ style to dance parties teamed with chunky strawberry hair bobbles I bought in japan and possibly red legwarmers. Cute huh? It was so much fun. Now I get excited over the little strawberry shaker that holds my bi carb…

I made this little girl’s apron for a swap a while ago. It had a matching bag too.

 We still haven’t planted the strawberry seedlings, but I’ve found some pots and will pick up some potting mix.  Here’s a few more strawberries…

And finally a Baa Bums soaker free to good home…. size Large I think? Here is is on Miss Zoe’s bottie… Leave a comment if you want it I’ll throw in a brand new Cute Tooshies Bamboo Delight nappy too. I’ll choose the winner randomly in the morning (if there’s more than one comment!) more freebies to come

xoxo

Firstly, the bread was not a catastrophe, but quite a success! The kids were super excited and gave the flour and yeast a good old stir. Ten minutes or so of me hand kneading the dough quickly grew boring, as did the ‘letting it rise’ part. We were all suitably impressed when the bread came out looking like this (but without the ‘test’ slice cut off).

By the time my man or mum arrived and saw/tasted the bread, the mice CHILDREN had eaten a big hole in the middle. Hmph! And then Mum said the bread was like sourdough. Hmph! But it was lovely with honey. Although I’ve decided to borrow my folks’ bread machine tomorrow…

It was only today that I realised that the AU/US exchange rate is looking up… so I ordered a couple of things on my beloved ETSY. Some very nice looking patterns from Manimina ~ Casual Elegance for Extraordinary Kids and a pendant kit from Annie Howes Can’t wait to get them! I’m busting to make Zoe some summer dresses, and the pendants I’m hoping will make nice little christmas pressies. Unfortunately my sewing room is still ’out of order’, I think I’ll do 30 minutes in there tonight before bed to get started.

I picked up this weird/cute head scarf at an op shop last week in a ‘fill a bag for $5′ sale (gotta love them!). I truly love the yellow polkadot fabric, but I’m not sure about the padded section. Any comments?

I’m questioning my fashion sense at the moment. Crisis of confidence made worse by my mother handing me a ‘Fashion Makeover’ book. More on that once I’ve read it

xoxo

My children are very interested in ‘jumping into’ things at the moment. Tate first tried jumping into the TV while watching the Fairy Dancing DVD, then it turned to books. I found Zoe trying to jump into this book today. I asked her to re-enact the jump outside so I could take a photo, she happily agreed. I think she thought the jump might be more effective outside, sadly not.

This is the scene she wanted to join… the ladder and the pears, oh my! Just quietly I think I’d be a bit worried about the geese. They can get all snaky you know, and there would be a fight for the pears.

I noticed the book has been dedicated to Mirabelle. This reminded me of the softies for Mirabel drive that I will make a softie or few for. Softies For Mirabel is a wonderful cause, and there is plenty of time to get involved!  I think I’ll use the cute new pattern that arrived today from Claire at CraftSchmaft ~ Toot the loveable sock owl. Don’t worry, I’ll use new socks!

xoxo

So I just signed up for blogtoberfest…. which means a post everyday in October, plus giveaways (even from me) and other awesomeness. Visit Tinniegirl for more info, especially if you want to join in!

So as it turns out I rather suck at housework. This really shouldn’t surprise anyone who has every lived with me/ visited me/ gotten to know me. Its just that housework is crap, and I’d rather be doing some cool craft thing. BUUUUUT, no cool craft thing can happen at the moment because of, and I can’t believe that I’m showing you….

Yep. One very messy sewing room.

But really, who can blame me when I live so close to this?

Until tomorrow…. xoxo