Amy Karol inspiration

Look what I received from the postman today! My first online book purchase, full of crafty love and inspiration...with simple to understand instructions. Great for me, a beginner to this sewing gig.

Woodland Elf Hat

This book is packed with lots of lovely gift ideas and things to make for around the home or for my girls. I may even make myself a handbag...or two! I'm thinking this online book purchasing could be addictive, especially when the books that arrive at my door create such excitment within me. I can't wait to try out one of these projects, yet I can't choose which one to start with...

Scalloped Baby Blanket

I'll keep you posted on what I come up with. I'm hoping its sooner rather than later. The dishes can wait: Must. Sew. Now.

The Zip Pouch

Charming Handbag

4 months

You were 4 months old last week. As if you knew it, you discovered your voice and talked happily all day. You've found your hands in recent weeks and stare at your feet as they dance away in front of you. You have a smile for anyone who enters your line of sight. Big, gummy, delighted smiles. Especially when we're excited for you, such as when you rolled over front to back for the first time last Sunday.

So far you've been a placid soul. You have a gentle nature but a cheeky smile, a hearty giggle and a general delight about you. At the moment while you're feeding, you'll pull off my breast, give me a cheeky smile and then get back to sucking with gusto...which is a little harder given you're smiling so widely.

You're so happy to be here with us. I feel that as the weeks roll by you're unfolding before me like a beautiful rose - lots of layers, more things to discover about you - each new stage more thrilling and delightful than the last.

You're a mummy's girl in public places. A bit shy and very quiet. When others hold you, you try to smile, but your face changes from a full crescent shaped frown to a weak smile and back to a frown while your eyes plead at me to take you back. You really are trying to be happy in someone else's arms. As soon as we put you in the car to return home from a social outing you exhale big sighs of delight and talk away, smiling the whole time. Safe in familiar surrounds.

You need to be talked through new situations. Your sister loved baths, but you need me to talk to you about what's happening - I can't just sit you in it straight away. I start by dipping your toes in, then up to your knees, then sit you in the bath before slowly lowering you onto your back. All the while I'm telling you it's ok, you're alright, you're safe, the water is warm and inviting. You look at me with a worried little face. You take in deep breaths and then hold it - not sure about any of it. Until I keep talking and you trust me and you eventually enjoy yourself kicking and wriggling away.

I never knew babies could be as easy as you are. I've honestly enjoyed every day with you. I look forward to every day to come. Thank you for being you - I love every inch of you inside and out. x

Frivolous Fairy Fabric

My stash is abysmal. I buy fabric for a project. I complete the project. I fold and store the offcuts. And so it has been. My stash has a few fabrics that are projects yet to be started, but I know exactly what the fabric is for.

I always swore I'd never buy fabric for the love of it with no idea as to what I'd use it for. It appears my resolve has weakened. Never say never they say - and its true - because when I saw this fabric (Michael Miller Morning Dots) I bought 2 meters on the spot without a clue as to what I'd make with it. I just knew it had to come home with me. It's pink and green with spots - one of my favourite things - and a touch of glitter for the 3 year old in all of us. Perfect!

Any ideas for what I could do with it? The lady next to me in the shop bought some to make bunting with. Hmmmm. What to do.... For now I'm just glancing at it every now and then and smiling to myself, happy with my frivolous purchase.

A photo tour

I uploaded pics from my camera onto the computer the other day. I discovered that S had taken my camera for a bit of a tour around the house. I thought I'd share what she captured. Life from a 3 year old's perspective:

My lamb in Sheeps Clothing

I've been a fan of Stacey from Sheeps Clothing's work for a while now but was yet to purchase one of her lovely handmade knitted items. I was prompted to have a look at her shop the other day when she announced a sample sale...and look what I found:

I love it! It's one of her hand dyed yarn hats in the Daisy colourway. Here's a little insight via photo's of my daughters delight when she opened the parcel that was in our letterbox waiting for her one afternoon. Stacey doesn't disappoint! S was captivated by its softness and the beautiful flower brooch.

One happy customer

If you're interested in having a look at her work, head over to Stacey's shop. There's more hats and lots of other lovely handmade items. It's really easy to order. I had a question regarding colours and Stacey was quick to respond, really helpful and lovely to boot.

I took our new hat to my knitting night with the girls and we all had a drool over it. Do yourself a favour and get yourself some Sheeps Clothing. x

Little helper

Just so you don't think everything is always perfect in my corner of the world, I'll let you in on a little secret.

Here's the thing: I have a little helper.

She's 3, she's adorable, she's determined to help. With everything. I'm talking handing me my toilet paper kind of everything.

E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

And I have to say that although I love her beyond all reasonable measures. Although she has the very best of intentions. Although I will surely miss it when this stage is gone. I need some space!

When I'm cooking, my helper stands on a little chair and has her hands near mine, grabbing, rolling, tasting, stirring, chatting. When I'm hanging out the washing my helper hands me each peg...one by one. It takes some time. When I'm having a shower my helper strips off and comes in too. And then starts washing my legs.

Yesterday I asked her if she could give mummy some space so I could finish washing the dishes she said "ok mummy" and took one step back.

I know this must seem so cute to anyone reading this. I'm sure I'll think it too in a couple of months. But right now, up close, every day when you're sleep deprived and haven't been out of the house for 10 days because your kids are sick. Well it's wearing thin.

God bless her little helpful heart.

Grant me the patience to love her addiction to helping.

Allow me to slow down enough to see the beauty in all of these moments.

But please God if I may - could I get my own damn toilet paper?

So there you have it. My little vent. Just for some balance. x

Weekend bliss

Last weekend I enjoyed a much needed craft weekend away with the creative talent Leslie, my dear friend Jo and the lovely Emily - who I was meeting for the first time. Oh, and two babies, Emily's Annie and my Is. I am happy to say that both babies were so well behaved and fitted seamlessly into our activities.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to relax, craft, eat, craft, drink, craft, talk and sleep. The girls were super easy to be around, chat and laugh with. We shared ideas, admired eachothers creations and enjoyed candid conversations over dinner. They really were that easy and lovely to be around.

Amongst all the eating, drinking and talking I managed to complete two little projects that had been bugging me for ages. A doll quilt and pillow to go with the doll bed S got for Christmas. I also made a little softie for a friends baby. I'm so glad they're done! Now my mind is no longer cluttered with the nagging voice telling me to get them done.

So there was not much not to like on this weekend! Thanks lovely ladies for a wonderful time. Thanks also to Leslie for choosing the beachside location and to Jo for taking Is and I in her car...again x

3 months old

We've reached a lovely milestone - my baby is 3 months old. Smiling, sleeping through the night (!), chatting with us and the beginnings of a giggle here and there. That is my favourite, followed closely by her big gummy smiles.

So far Is has been an absolute delight - I didn't know babies could be like this. I'm sure it's mostly her placid, easy going personality, but another factor could be that she's a thumb sucker.

I tried many times to get her to take a dummy. I'd find her sleeping soundly in her bassinet with the dummy discarded and her thumb in her mouth. I immediately projected myself into the future where I had a 10 year old that still sucks her thumb and I'm grabbing it out of her mouth in public places.

Both of my girls have been "sucky" babies. S still has a dummy as she's just not ready to give it up. Is was placed on my chest as soon as she was born and withing minutes she was laying there comfortably sucking her fingers. I guess time will tell as to whether dummies or thumbs are better. I have my own involuntary experiment going on within my home. I'm hoping Is proves me wrong and gives up her thumb by 3...

Anyway, that's all a while off. For now I'm soaking up the baby bliss. I keep getting warned that her easiness could all change at 3, 6, 9 months. I'm hoping Is proves them wrong on that one too. x

Jumping on the bandwagon

I know this blog has been all about the kidlets of late, but don't think I'm not crafting away in the background. How else does a SAHM stay sane?

I've jumped on the crochet bandwagon. Many of us have taken inspiration from this blanket and have used these helpful instructions to create our own crocheted blanket. As I'm new to crocheting I used these instructions but found I didn't love the look. So as usual, I went and made some adjustments.

I'm using 8 ply cotton from the Bendigo Woollen Mills in colours Latte, Denim, New Ochre, Parchment & Light Teal. It's soft and luscious to work with. I'm loving it - portable, quick and satisfying to see a circle made in no time at all.

Now to start joining them...

Summer holiday

We recently returned from a quick 1 week escape to Merimbula to meet up with friends from Sydney. We have each had a baby since the last time we saw each other, so we decided to meet halfway, holiday together and meet the newbies.

Sun, surf, sand, poolside, walks, swims, brief book reading, food, wine and more food. Great fun, relaxing...except when Harper and S got tired and started up the 3 year old antics. The funniest/most annoying bit was when you'd try to discipline one, the other would repeat what the parent said. It went a little something like this:

Me: "S, give Harper some space. That's why he's pushing you"

Harper: "Yes! Give me some SPACE!" (while he pushes her away)

...and so on and so forth. They took it in turns. Funny how they know how to share when it comes to being ferrets!

I even got a delicious 40 minutes by the pool on. my. own. I know. By some miracle, both girls were asleep so I ran out the door with my book and towel and went to the adult pool to lay on a sun lounge and relax. After 10 minutes of quiet bliss the wind picked up. The clouds came in. I persisted. Even took a dip in the pool. It started to lightly rain. I sat there...and then gave up.
Strangely, I found that whilst I'm always craving some "me" time, after about 30 minutes of having it I was (dare I say it!) bored. It's more fun swimming when my family is with me. How I've changed my tune. Gone are the days of 3 week holidays by the beach/pool, reading 4 books and getting a tan. Perhaps I'm ok with that more than I realised... x