Tutorials...and dress ups.

This is our dress up box (well, suitcase).

I had always thought we were pretty well stocked until I saw Soule Mama's, now I have dress up envy.

And speaking of tutorials in my last post , this blog has a huge list of links to free tutorials, all conveniently put into categories.

She is also doing a blog giveaway at the moment so check it out!!

Op shopping and finally some sewing.

I bought this dress today at my favourite Op Shop for $1.50!! I am totally in love with it.

I bought a few other things as well; 2 tea cosies, some embroidered fabric, a pattern, kids sewing book, 2 vintage pillowcases, vintage buttons, and some groovy clip on earings.

Then a bit of sewing this afternoon.

This has to be one of the easiest things I have ever made. I can't believe how many generous bloggers produce free tutorials for their creations. This one can be found here.

I will definitely be making more of these.

Upcoming projects

At the risk of sounding like a 'gunna', one of those people who is gunna do something... one day, here are a few projects I am hoping to complete soon.

Some pants for the baby using this pattern. I don't know the sex of my baby so am going to make some of each and give away any that are not used.



Do something with this t-shirt that Jonty has outgrown. I love the robot and have thought of maybe turning him into a throw cushion for J's bed?? Any other ideas?



Use this fabric I bought yesterday at Pennant Hills. (I had to drive right past the shop on my way to the OB, how could I not stop??)
Sarah wants a skirt out of the turquoise fabric, and I will make some bibs/pants out of all of them, something along the lines of these. I have some bamboo fleece to back the bibs with, super soft and very absorbent.

These arrived yesterday from here and at less than $2.00 per metre, I think they are terrific. Could be used as trims on bibs, or pencil cases for christmas presents??

This brown lightweight corduroy was $2.00/m at Spotlight so I couldn't resist buying a couple of metres. I am thinking tote bags, library bags etc... lined with the other fabrics, depending on who the recipient is.

Now to convince the kids to help me carry all my sewing stuff upstairs to my new space.....

My Space

After almost 2 years, my sister in law has moved out of our house, and now I am left with 2 empty rooms.

This one, which was her living area, is destined to become 'my space'.

I briefly thought about moving the playstation and the lego up here for the kids, then decided no, I would love a space of my own to leave my sewing and crafting things set up.

It also has to double as a guest room/ironing/drying washing in wet weather room, but I don't mind, I am a good sharer. And actually, it isn't even a proper 'room', it is more like a large landing, but I am happy.

I even took down the curtains and washed them today, which really speaks about my excitement because I am not the curtain washing kind, usually.

It's raining men!!

I had to share this funny story...

Sarah came across this painting this morning in an art book, and burst out singing, "It's raining men, hallelujah!, it's raining men...."

I had to laugh.

(The painting is 'Golconda' by Rene Magritte)

Back to school...

My kids are going back to school on Monday. Our adventure in homeschooling is over.

I am glad we tried it or I would have always been left wondering, but now I know that it is not really for us. I was terrible at it, basically.

There have been lots of positives though, particularly the time they got to spend playing with each other.

Sculpture by the Sea

Sculpture by the Sea is on again at the moment and we went on Saturday.




It is worth going down and having a look. The kids love to read their guides, and there are lots of 'aha' moments when they get what the artist is trying to say. (for me also!!)

Pictured above:

gone by Natalie Windsor

imagine by Emma Anna

nexus by Kosmas

Belonging.

Today we looked at the wonderful Jeannie Baker book, Belonging. This book has no words, but the amazing collages tell a wonderful story. Each time I sit down to look through this book I notice something new.

Treasures.

We bought the kids an IKEA storage box for any treasures they might collect on our trip.

They loved finding things to go in them on the beach, and in the bush.

Bex and a lie down.

Oh my gosh! Did I say I wanted to be one of those mothers? One who does crafting with their kids?

THREE HOURS!!! it has taken Sarah and I to make a bag for one of her friends. A bag!!

We should have stuck with one of these that we have made countless times before, but decided to try a new pattern from this book.

That gathered pocket thing, topped with velvet ribbon was tricky, and the strap took forever to turn inside out because it was so skinny.

I think I need a lie down now.

So lovely..

It is so lovely to be back in the world of craft blogs. I have spent hours over the past few days going through all my old favourites, and discovering a few new ones.

Motherguilt has been rearing her big ugly head as well, as I look at all the wonderful things others have been doing with their children. I used to be one of those mums before I got sick and went to bed for 10 weeks....

We will get back there again in time.

The kids did manage to find a few arty/crafty things to do while we were camping for 6 weeks though.

A giant turtle made on the beach...

Woodcarving and drawing by the campfire...

A shell necklace...
Some more sketching...

The boys are at cricket so Sarah and I are off to Spotlight to look for inspiration, and get some supplies for a few pressies we need to make, and then there is my planned 'Handmade Christmas' to start thinking about. Maybe the craftiness is on it's way back.

Five months...

A lot can happen in a person's life in 5 months.

I have been absent from the world of blogging and have returned to read of sorrow and joy in the lives of my blog friends. For one friend in particular there has been incredible tradgedy and heartache.... Rach I am so sorry.

Where have I been all this time?

In hospital, then in bed for months, then to Hong Kong, then part way around Australia on a long camping trip, all the while carrying a little person inside my tummy, who initially made me very sick, but is now making me pee all night.... and smile. He/she should be making an appearance in Jan.

I am hoping to get my crafty mojo back and get back to blogging about it all. Jo