A Unicorn for a little girl

Melly and Me's Kaleidoscope pattern

This softie is for my goddaughter's 5th birthday.

She is obsessed with horses, unicorns and rainbows

so I am hoping that she will find some magic in this present.

Slight case of FWS (Floppy Wing Syndrome) happening...

A life laid out...

The best laid plans.

My 6 year old had to do a time line at school from birth until adulthood.

The early years are boring and predictable

(you know, birth, kindy, school, school, school,...

though "drinking milk from mummy's boobies" was apparently a first year highlight)

But I am wondering (and hoping) if he may depart from his current life plan...

15 years old- become a builder

16 years old- get married

17 years old- make money

18 years old- have a baby

I am laminating this one for prosperity (and for someone's 21st birthday...

unless of course my dear son is a rich, married builder with a 3 year old child!)

Keyka Lou Pixie handbag

One of my faves

This bag is one of my all time favourites.

It is sweet, feminine and also just big enough to put in what you need.

Highly recommended pattern.

This one is headed for my marketplace shop.

The Crafty Mamas Marketplace Grand Opening tonight.

Support Australian Made and crafting mums!

Lisa from Crafty Mamas shop and forum is generously hosting the Congo Cart Marketplace

and it is opening tonight.
Long term forum members who are active in the forum community

are opening a collective of shops to sell their goodies.

There are some talented girls selling some fabulous stuff.

So please take the time to head on over and have a looksee

(and maybe buy something)

The Crafty Mamas Marketplace

Farbenmix Amelia hoodie

For the cooler weather (when it decides to get here!)

Now that I am losing weight,

I am starting to make clothes that are more of the vintage feel that I love.

But as I clean out my wardrobe,

I also want to get rid of all the shapeless fleecy winter tops that I have been wearing for the past few years and exchange them for some more fitted, stylish tops.

First cab off the ranks...

Pattern: Farbenmix Amelia

Fabric: Asian Blossom knit from Crafty Mamas shop

Approval rating: I love it. Partner it with a long sleeved tee and it is warm, comfy and a tad more

flattering than a men's shapeless fleecy zip up.

Little by Little

Making decisions to decrease the blood pressure

I have spent the best of 2 weeks now in a cleaning frenzy.

We are moving bedrooms around,

the painter will be coming soon,

I have nowhere left to put my fabric

and my folks are rocking up next week to stay till after Easter.

The whole time I have been manically sorting, throwing, moving,

I have been thinking how I will have to really get sewing to do this local market in May.

Over the weekend, I decided,

I don't need the extra stress.

And boy, do I feel better for having made that decision.

I am doing dribbles of sewing and intend to do much more.

some for the upcoming winter wardrobe for me and the kids.

some for birthday presents

and some for the impending launch of an on-line sales venue

(Monday 15th March, people. Circle that in your diary!)

That plus keeping this family moving forward is keeping me happily fulfilled.

Here are a couple more things I've made to sell...

Ali Foster Olivia gathered clutch

Melly & Me Gathered Friends Cross-body Bag

 If I don't do the market, I can just keeping pushing along at my own rate,
with few time deadlines
and much lower stress levels.
It's just not the right time for me with the kids at the moment
and there will always be other things that come along,
hopefully at a better time.

10 minute makeover.

Making a denim jacket girl-friendly.

OK More like a half hour makeover but most of that was spent picking ribbons

and waiting for the iron to heat up.

I bought this jacket when my first son was a toddler

at a boys shop closing down sale.

Really cheap but good quality.

But neither of my boys are "denim jacket type" boys

so it has sat in the cupboard.

I really like some boys' styles on girls.

Love the look of work boots on a girl in a dress

(hence the docs in my shoe collection)

Quite like the squared cut of jackets and the like.

So I just sewed on a couple of ribbons and ironed on an applique

and the goddess has a new coat for Autumn.

I keep looking at it thinking that it is just enough.

Less is more and all that.

Then I think, maybe something on the sleeves.

Any opinions?

Creativity of the Week

Picasso, eat your heart out!

Any guesses?

"A rock, mummy"

Can't argue with that.

It even looks like a rock.

My Great Grandma's rug

(Or what is left to salvage)

My nan's mum died when I was in kindy.

It is one of the earliest memories I have,

going home to a friend's house after kindy while the funeral was on.

I don't have many memories of my great grandma,

those "memories" I have are the still shots from photos at my nan's house.

Back in the times (think early 70s),

it was the fashion (where I was from anyway)

to put the crocheted rug across the back of the back seat.

I was too young to drive but I got a rug like most family members.

The rugs weren't anything super trendy or great quality

but they were made with love,

they were made by my grandnan

and my rug is the only tangible thing that I have of hers.

I have kept it lovingly

but apparently not practically.

Cleaning out cupboards this week brought many forgotten/misplaced/ill-bought items

back to delight/intrigue/haunt me.

This one just saddened me.

The silver lining?

I can fix this.

I can repair and re-do the damaged area

and my grandnan's rug can hopefully last another near to 40 years.

I find something to treasure in the fact that I will be able to do this.

Then I am going to store it properly so that no little buggers can munch on it again!

Health Report for February 2010

Weight loss and fitness update.

After 2 months, I have lost 7 and 3/4 kilograms.

Needless to say, I am pretty darn chuffed.

(In shock that I am doing it but also chuffed)

I am maintaining my 40 minutes exercise 4 times a week- which is sustainable for someone who is essentially allergic to exercise.

I enjoy Zumba but spend the time thinking of all the other things (sewing!) that I could do with that time.

I am however very grumpy.

Definately due to getting less sleep than I should

but I also suspect that my calorie deficit is affecting me in other ways than just weight loss.

I am about half way to my goal.

Though I am now hoping to go a further couple of kilograms weight loss

(still above my ideal weight but hopefully sustainable)

I seem to be getting a bit of shape back.

Which I am rather excited about.