The long, happy wait

In March our little family of three were pleasantly suprised by an unexpected pregnancy. A holiday conception. You've heard of the type...the holiday vibe is going, there's good food, good wine, good company, great conversations, lots of good will going on between me and the man...and the good times continue. Enough said.

Now I'm 15 weeks pregnant and counting. I've felt much worse this time compared to the glow and hormone induced bliss I enjoyed with S. Lets just say that I'm still waiting for the glow to arrive...and the sickness to leave :)

So we are all happily awaiting the arrival of a new family member to love in December - making us 4. But until then, I'm waiting for the next bit...like feeling those butterflies across my stomach letting me know I've got life growing inside me.

Happy times.

A rose by any other name...

At the risk of this becoming a gardening blog - I just wanted to share that I found this gorgeous rose in my mum's garden this morning. Julia's Rose - which she planted to remind her of me.

The thing I love about it is that it's not pink. Or orange, or peach...it's brown. I know! It's a pale brown with peachy, pinky tones. So pretty. So appropriate. He, he!

Magnolia

Late October last year I bought a Little Gem Magnolia tree. I lovingly planted it outside my bathroom window and envisioned beautiful shade in summer and sunlight in winter. And in between...those beautiful blooms.

Then we had the hottest, driest, smokiest summer I can remember. The heat was unforgiving on some days and my little trees leaves fried. I chastised myself for having planted it too close to summer and expected to watch it slowly die.

So you can imagine my delight when a single, pure white magnolia flower bloomed last week. I was so taken aback that I gasped loudly. Big Fella thought I'd seen a rat, or snake or something equally dramatic...like catching a neighbour with their pants down?

It rained most days last week and so it was several days before I ventured out to take a pic. By then the petals were bruised...but still so beautiful.

Keeping her warm

I'm what I would describe as a beginner sewer. Straight lines. A baby quilt here or there. Can't read a pattern. Don't know how to utilise my machine to the best of it's 50 stitch ability. Never done a button-hole. Getting the idea?

So I must have been in some kind of hormonal stupor last night when I rushed off to Spotlight for some cheap Polo Fleece and some tulle...

I know, they don't usually go together, but I'm having a bit of a problem at home. I have a girly 2 year old. She loves putting on dresses. The latest is that the dress must "spin" well. You know, when you twirl, there must be some good air and swish in the skirt. Hard to find in anything but summer dresses.

She also fights with me about putting a long sleeved top and leggings under her summer dresses...given it's cold now.

So I decided to replicate her current summer favourite. A "princess" dress she got as a hand me down from her cousin. It is light, airy with the best bit being the tulle overlay in the skirt that twirls and swishes beautifully.

Somehow I made this dress. No pattern. No idea. But it worked. She loves it. It's warm AND it twirls. Phew!

Now, onto making one in pink.

Getting all Granny

Whilst trawling through Flickr, I've been seeing some beautiful crochet projects on the go. Namely these ones. Gorgeous.

But alas, I can barely knit - let alone crochet - so I put my desire for a hexagon crochet rug to the back of my wish list. Given I needed to attain the skills.

Then I was introduced to the lovely Kirsty during my weekend at Sewjourn. She brought her crochet project with her. The delicious coffee, chocolatey granny squares are planned for a king size blanket. She's got guts! Kirsty was also kind (and patient) enough to show me the ropes of creating a granny square.

They're a bit wonky. Bit too loose. Not perfect enough for a blanket...and until I've mastered it I'm not moving onto circles. So in the mean time I'm practicing my squares and one of S's dolls may score a little blanket out of it. She's not as fussy as I am. Yet...

Gift for Ruby

For a long awaited, much anticipated baby girl. Ruby Rose. Welcome.

Sewjourn retreat

I am lucky to be dear friends with Jo. We have known each other for a long time but it wasn't until we had kids that we discovered similar interests...such as craft.

Like me, she is a shocking perfectionist (said with the utmost respect and love Jo!), and so her work is beautiful. Perfect. Inspiring.

She has been blogging for several years now and has made several blogging friends. One of which is Leslie. Together they decided to put together a weekend craft retreat. So I went. And I sewed. And I talked. I also learned to crochet a granny square (thanks Kirsty!). Another lesson was to take a deep breath and remember who I am when I'm not mummy. I'm not half bad.

Sewjourn is a beautiful place for creative people to visit, indulge, unwind and create. It is beautifully decorated...with hand made quilts or blankets on each bed. Lots of lovely touches like fresh roses and lavender in vases. And a huge studio equipped with all you need to just plug in and create.

So as you can imagine it was SUCH an effort to eat, create and play with my fellow retreaters. Such a lovely bunch of ladies - Jo, Leslie, Kirsty, Christie and Carly. Each so talented in their own way.

Great company, food and conversation. I had a ball. Thanks girls! And to top it off I even came home to a happy husband and child. Definite Bonus. Perhaps I could do this again..?

Easter basket

Easter crept up on me quickly this year. We had the Big Fella's family staying with us from Perth for a week during that time, so my plans revolved around preparing for their visit.

But it didn't manage to pass without me churning out a few quick treats. A felt basket and 3 dry felted balls. They were perfect for my 2 year old - and they weren't chocolate.

Felt basket was made following this tutorial.

Home-made Finger Paints

Mum's opinion - Definitely more fun to make than to clean up.

Daughter's opinion - There are no boring bits. It's all fun!

The Recipe:

3 tbs. sugar

1/2 cup cornflour

2 cups cold water

Food coloring

Mix sugar and cornflour in pan. Add water; stir.Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Mixture will boil, then thicken. Cook about 5 mins. Remove from heat; cool.

Separate into 4-5 cups. Add food coloring a drop at a time. Add a drop of dish detergent in each cup to make clean-up a breeze.

Paint on paper, cardboard or posterboard.

10 years

It's hard to believe that Big Fella and I have been married 10 whole years. Lots of love in those years. Tears. Frustruation. Learning. Enduring. Forgiving. Living. Loving...Lurving :)

I'm pleased to say that if I had to do it all again I would stand opposite him, look him in the eye and promise to love him forever again. And perhaps this time I'd cry because I'd know what it takes and how we'll grow.

Here's to all the rest my love. J x

**Excuse the blurry wedding pic...we didn't get any digital photos 10 years ago**