ElleMae & CeeJae

Psst- still here.

2009-01-30T08:32:00.004+13:00

Embarrassingly remiss of me to neglect to post since SEPTEMBER last year, especially after PROMISING to sort myself out and get to sewing and posting - but life somehow manages to get in the way, huh?

Happy 2009 - more soon (no promises - just a "maybe"). Photos above are of the boys enjoying our recent jaunt to the beach with my folks - glorious weather and my first sea swim of the season...bliss.

xxx

PS. This one's for the Laings - my last loyal readers. Thanks for hanging in there, team!

Oh Amy...

2008-09-30T09:42:00.007+13:00

...why do you taunt me so? You know I can't afford any new fabrics and that I'm trying so hard to use the fabrics that I have but...these are just so sweet! Please stop with all the gorgeous fabrics!

The most enormous literature review ever in the history of the planet is due to be completed this week and then I'm getting the sewing machine out - what project will I work on first!? Vote to win!

Harry's quilt?

Zoe's quilt?

Tom's quilt?

Or those b&**$y annoying Scrappy Bunny's!?!

So sad...

2008-09-21T13:11:00.003+12:00

June 27th!? How can it be that long since I posted!? And to top off the humiliation, it took 10 minutes for me to locate my Blogger login and password. Pathetic. I know - nobody cares anymore, except Jewels who asks me everytime I see her when I plan to update my blog. This one's for you, baby.

Just returned from a glorious weekend in the 'Bridge, celebrating my baby sister's 30th birthday, including a night here, which was just so cosy and perfect. We will be back. Thank you to Nana and Sara for looking after my precious boys.

On the sewing front there's not a lot to report - I took my machine home to Mum and Dad's when I was there a few months back and it's still in the garage where I left it when I took it out of the car. Sigh. Zoe's quilt is cut out and Tom and Harry's are waiting for more of my attention but - where does the time go?

Still, I've been busy, working, keeping house, and raising these two adorable troublemakers. It's not much of an excuse but I'll take it.

xx

One + Thirty-Five

2008-06-27T09:57:00.005+12:00

I have written this post so many times and each time it doesn't get posted - for so many reasons, but mostly I blame the baby. Who isn't really a baby anymore, at all. Happy first birthday, our sweet boy. Can you believe Harry Potter Pants is one!?

We celebrated with a family afternoon tea, lots of smiles, and a little sadness - I haven't been able to post about this, and I still can't to be honest, but Stu's beautiful Dad died suddenly last month and, as you can imagine, it's been a bloody awful time and we all miss him terribly.

Oh, and Harry's Mummy turned 35 last week. I celebrated in style by dragging seven of my lovely girlfriends to our beach house at Whangamata for one whole night off. The perfect mix of a great night out with the girls, no boring chores, and a sleep-in! Sigh. No photos through - too naughty. Although some lovely presents to share on the next post. Yes - I'm back! I have THREE quilts, a nappy bag, and various other fun sewing projects on the go, a house to declutter (gotta love TradeMe and this, which I watched for the first time last night - and it scared me straight!), and two beautiful children, all of which will be shared in Blogland. Assuming my new addiction to Facebook doesn't interfere too much with my blogging time ...

xx

Oh Where, Oh Where, Can She Be?

2008-04-20T14:46:00.003+12:00

I know - just under a month since my last entry! I AM still here, just bogged (or should that be blogged?) under with life and work and children - Harry Pants is snotty and teething today and for some hideous reason, he seems to think that 4am is an excellent time to wake up! Hence, long days for Mummy. Just as well he's adorable.

Sewing is sadly NOT a priority at the moment, although I have a TON of projects I would LOVE to get finished and/or started...I'm thinking about committing to a month of sewing and blogging for May but we'll see.

Watch this space.

xx

For Weekends, Travelling, and the Such Like.

2008-02-22T13:32:00.003+13:00

The Weekender Travel Bag I made for Mama this past Christmas...LOTS of hard work but well worth the effort and lots of new and very useful skills learned along the way (like piping (PIPING!) and putting in a zipper). Thank you, little sister, for the photo!

Luckily for me, Mama drew my name for Christmas and I received this adorable sewing bag, made with the Empress Woo fabrics (which I love):

Too cute!

Bless This Baby

2008-02-14T13:16:00.008+13:00

Title of this post refers to the recent baptism of Harry Francis in our local St. Andrew's Church in this gorgeous gown, handmade by my mother. Both my babies have worn this for their baptism's although CJ was baptised in the St Andrews in Cambridge at 4 months old (and just fit the gown) and Harry-Pants managed to fit into it at 8 months! Really loved the gathering of family and friends to celebrate this special day with us - extra special thanks to his lovely godparents (Harri, Trace and Paul) for their commitment to us and to Harry, and to the special people who got out of bed VERY early to make sure they were at the church on time...even if the baby only just made it on time himself! To be honest, I think CJ actually stole the show a little in his Royal Stewart kilt! I'll try to locate a photo - he looked so handsome! Thanks also for the help with morning tea, including these cute-as-a-button "HFN" cupcakes, made by Jewels:

In other news, new fabric* for Tom's quilt:

[*For those of you who do actually read this blog, you will have noted in my last post that I claimed that I'm not buying new fabric this year. Just to clarify, I am not buying new fabric FOR MY STASH, but can buy fabric for a purpose, like the border of a quilt for my nephew. Whew - glad we cleared that up!]

Inspiration borrowed from my Mum (Kaffe Fassett's books) and given to me for Christmas from Jewels (Softies book):

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day! xxx

I'm A-Sewing!

2008-01-16T11:07:00.000+13:00

I know - ANOTHER update! And I missed my anniversary - Happy Birthday, little craft blog!

One of my Goals for 2008 (I refuse to make resolutions this year) is to give away the things that don't matter to focus more on the things that do. So - goodbye private practice, goodbye extra work opportunities, goodbye PhD...hello my family, my home, my work, my health, my sewing....and these funky monkeys!

This is the very very beginning's of a quilt for my nephew, Tommy B. I purchased the charm squares from the Craft Show in Melbourne and they've been looking for a home every since. Other planned projects for 2008 include:

Finishing the cowboy quilt for Harry-Pant's;
An Amy Butler quilt for Zoe;
A nappy bag for Sarah;
A quilt for my godson, Conor; and
A mystery project.

I love the thought of making quilts again! And all "using what I have" from my fabric stash (as much as possible). I've been eagerly following and LOVING the Beautiful:Life series in Next Magazine and as such, this year, I am going to TRY to live by the mantra:

I already have everything I need to be content...

Damn shame about these then, isn't it?!?

E xx

Holiday Crafting...

2007-12-19T19:36:00.000+13:00

[An alternative title? If Another Person Asks Me When I'll be Updating This Damn Blog, I WILL Scream!]

So Christmas and New Year came and went already? How is that possible? I seemed to have spent all of December in a feverish whirl of working, christmas-ing and present-ing, baking and sewing. One of the highlights? Hand-sewing. An opportunity for quiet contemplation at a crazy time of year. I had SO many hand-sewn gifts in mind but they didn't quite eventuate - still, what I did get finished included:

An amazingly gorgeous Weekender Travel Bag for my Mum - what a labour of love that was! But can you believe I forgot to take a picture of it!? Here's Mum OPENING her present....I'll try to get a photo up as soon as I can (Mum, can you please ask Amy to take one and email it to me? Pretty please?)

Santa Sacks for CJ and Harry-Pants:

And a little play Moses Basket for my niece:

We enjoyed a magical Christmas Day with family and friends and a few quiet days at the family farm before returning to the hustle and bustle of the big smoke...

And Stu and I enjoyed a night of luxury here for our 7th wedding anniversary this past weekend (thank you to my in-laws!) before heading back to work this week.

Hope your holiday season's been just as relaxing.

xx

Trying Something New

2007-11-12T21:37:00.000+13:00

New on the menu for Harry-Pants this week is carrot, yam, broccoli and zucchini. Which brings our total range of solid experiences to THIRTEEN (these four plus apple, pear, banana, mango, kumara, pumpkin, swede, potato and baby rice). Go Harry Go! I make and freeze the vege cubes and mini-meals, and rely on store-bought for the fruits - it's important to me that he eats both.

New on my cellphone is this as my ring tone - my new favorite song AND my all-time favourite movie. I live the message...keep moving forward! Guess what DVD CeeJae's getting for Christmas this year...

New on my skin is this from Living Nature. My skin has been tragically adolescent since the birth of Harry-Pants, and as such, my hideously expensive skincare has been woefully lacking. after lots of research, I decided on the Living Nature range as the products are all natural (complete with expiry dates!), it doesn't cost an arm and a leg (free shipping on orders over $20!), and they have a trial/travel pack so if it doesn't work out, we can move on without too much faffing about or expense. 28 days is the recommended trial - so watch this space!

Organised Chaos

2007-11-05T09:20:00.000+13:00

This basket of nearly finished bunnies sums things up beautifully really....lots to do and nothing quite done! I missed getting the Scrappy Bunnies done in time for the fair by 12 pairs of arms (!) so I have a few bunnies for sale if anybody wants one...$12 each, all proceeds to our local kindy. Any that aren't sold are officially destined for baby gifts!

I did, however, manage to get this gorgeous denim and blue Nappy Bag done for the Baby raffle at the fair...loving the addition of the tape measure, which I think might be fast becoming my "thing".

To Do List (Part 17, Version 4)

2007-10-18T13:52:00.000+13:00

Update my blog. So much to tell you! All four of you...The Waikato Quilt and Craft Show (fantastic day out with my very best friend and her beautiful and very well behaved daughter, while my wonderful parents took damn fine care of my two children - yes people, almost a WHOLE DAY OFF!); the totally delicious Freshcut by Heather Bailey; going back to quilt class (yay); a heap of sewing projects (see below); and an almost finished post about gorgeous handmade love for Harry...
Finish the damn scrappy bunnies! Who's silly idea was it to make 13!?! Thanks for the comment love - the winner of the random draw ("here, pick a number, CeeJae") is Zoe. Congratulations, baby girl!
Sew up the nappy bag that I'm donating to the kindy fair. The very same kindy fair that the rabbits are destined for. The very same kindy fair which is on NEXT weekend.
Finish the FOUR nappy bags which lovely people have asked me to make for them.
Finish Harry's cowboy quilt.
Finish my mystery project...
Stu wants the boy version of the Messenger Bag for his birthday. Which is in 12 days. Better get onto that too.
Re-think this silly "going back to work" idea - when will I get any sewing done!? (PS. I went back to work 24 hours/week yesterday which MAY explain the lack of posts but probably doesn't.)

Four?

2007-09-17T20:12:00.000+12:00

How is it possible that I have a four year old!? CeeJae celebrated his fourth birthday yesterday with a glorious Pirate Lunch - eight little pirates spent two-and-a-half hours trapped in our house playing pass the parcel, pin the feather on the parrot, and a million games of statues, as it poured with rain all over our "chuck them outdoors to play for an hour" plans! However, I used the Donna Hay Pirate Party ideas from one of her Kids issues as the base for the menu so the food was yummy and very kid-friendly...man, I love that woman!

And there was a pretty damn stunning (if I do say so myself) dairy-free and egg-free chocolate Treasure Chest cake (surprisingly easy and delicious - especially if you swap the cup of water for a cup of chocolate soy milk and throw a tonne of lollies at it):

About 300 gold chocolate coins....

And the cutest pirate ever.

Happy birthday babe. Love ya.

PS. The Scrappy Bunny competition closes at the end of September - so get your comments on the Scrappy Bunny post to be in to win! I have activated anonymous comments for the competition so please remember to leave your details if you don't have a Google account.

Scrappy Bunny Challenge

2007-09-11T19:38:00.000+12:00

Six weeks until the Kindy Fair and I have decided to set myself a sewing challenge - to make and donate a dozen Scrappy Bunnies, crafted entirely out of my fabric scraps.

(Psst...there's actually 13 Scrappy Bunnies cut out and ready to go...leave a comment for the chance to win the Scrappy Bunny of your choice!)

Naughty...

2007-08-23T19:37:00.000+12:00

A new bedtime outfit (complete with adorable and matching bunny no less!) for Harry from Country Rd Kids:
Over a metre of this stunning Amy Butler Belle fabric, a TradeMe bargain:

Oh, and I have a really BAD case of the "I want's" - try these, these, anything from here, this (of course), and this AND this from the One In Ten auction (which seems to be mentioned on every blog I read and looks like a wonderful cause with lots of wonderful items to bid on) .

In other news, we're doing pretty damn well. Harry is 10 weeks old now and SO delicious. Our trip to meet Zoe and Thomas last weekend was wonderful (Harry was on his best behaviour!) and included a jaunt to the local market (in the rain even!) where we picked up the prettiest blue eggs, artisan breads, Trade Aid chocolates, stuffed olives, and a salami! And today I hosted a hugely successful "Mothers Afternoon Tea", an opportunity for the mothers of pre-school children living in our street to meet each other...shoot, I could get used to this "Stay At Home Mum" thing!

Crafting!

2007-08-12T09:17:00.000+12:00

Welcome back! I've finally dusted off the sewing machine (and trust me, she was pretty damn dusty!) and re-joined my Tuesday night quilt class, so I guess I'm OFFICIALLY back quilting and crafting.

I have two serious projects on the go - one's a secret project (check back here in December for explanation and photos), and the other's the quilt I started for Harry-Pants while I was carrying him, but abandoned in favour of other projects (and because I really didn't know if he was a "he" or a "she"):

Plus, these supplies (LOVE the ribbons) purchased from Spotlight yesterday on a wee jaunt out without either of my children confirm my renewed crafting commitment:

Of note, the last round of nappy bags now belong to babies - welcome to the world Thomas Christopher (my gorgeous nephew, born 08 July 2007) and Zoe Helen, born yesterday afternoon (after a lot of hard work from her very tired but very happy Mummy). Congratulations to the proud Mummies and Daddies - Harry and I am SO looking forward to meeting both Thomas and Zoe this coming weekend.

Oh - and insert gratuitous baby photo here. Isn't he just too damn adorable?

And that's what it's all about...

2007-07-28T20:55:00.000+12:00

Gotta love that grin.

Emerging

2007-07-15T15:56:00.000+12:00

I feel like we're getting there - Harry is 5 weeks old, and despite my massive anxiety issues (which I'm channelling into cleaning - of all things!), one trip to Starship in the ambulance (can you believe it? He keeps choking on his feeds...it's enough to do his mother in!) AND an official diagnosis of reflux, we may just be getting there.

Crazy time to have a new baby, ti's the middle of winter though! Harry is head to toe in wool and merino day and night although one of the BIG advantages to bottle-feeding is that I don't have to get undressed in the middle of the night...

School holidays are finally over this week so CeeJae is back to kindy and daycare...time for a little sewing? Maybe?

Heaven

2007-06-24T16:09:00.000+12:00

ElleMae, CeeJae...and Harry.

2007-06-16T11:22:00.000+12:00

He's here! Harry Francis arrived on Monday 11 June at 0916 by elective c-section, weighing a healthy 7lb 12 oz. He's simply beautiful and Mummy, Daddy, Big Brother, and Baby Harry are pleased be home and doing well.

Ketch-Up!

2007-06-01T07:54:00.000+12:00

So much to do - and only 10 days to go before we meet our newest family member...too exciting! In between washing the last of the baby clothes and nappies, organising the nursery (including supervising the hanging of the ensuite door), breastfeeding workshops, finishing up at work, resting, and spending LOTS of quality time with the coolest kid ever...

The last two (and maybe the last two EVER) nappy bags are finally done:

With mine and Julia's modeled here by my very handsome and competent assistant:

And the worms are here - a wonderful, eco-friendly, early birthday present from my parents! Thank you!

Therapy

2007-05-17T10:32:00.000+12:00

The "Growing A Person" Project has gone a wee bit pear-shaped, thanks to my increasing blood pressure, which, combined with the expected head/pelvis incompatibility, has required that we book an elective c-section for early in June...so I'm still pregnant, but only for a few more weeks! It's quite funny to think that we know our baby's birth date in advance, and that we've been here before, but it's very reassuring to know that my lovely obstetrician has the welfare of both Baby Peanut and I very much at heart. In the meantime, my self prescribed "therapy" has involved:

Eye pillows, made from the "In-Stitches" pattern, for the special mothers on Mothers Day (with one more to make - for me!):

Playing with my gorgeous niece on Mother's Day:

One down, two to go - finally, a nappy bag for me (hedging my bets on the pink AND the blue!):

Lamb shanks, in the slow cooker, which was my Mother's day present (thank you boys!):

I think we'll be just fine.

Happy Birthday Mama

2007-05-01T14:56:00.000+12:00

Today is my lovely Mummy's birthday :: A knitting needle case where an Amy Butler stripe collides with a Denyse Schmidt floral, and a cute blue spot with more Denyse in the interior. Too pretty.
And I made this one too, for my friend Kim :: More Amy Butler's, with the exterior fabrics from the Lotus range (picked up from the Sew Creative stand at the very average Stitching & Handcraft show a few weeks back) and the interiors being Charm's.

I may be the biggest Amy Butler fan in the whole world. No, seriously - I am the biggest. You should see the size of the Bump!

Don't be a tool (roll)!

2007-04-24T16:22:00.000+12:00

Check this out! AND I'm his "dear wife" - a blog post AND a compliment! I note, however, that I'm going to be asked to make another one but as yet, no formal request has been forthcoming...

The idea for a tool roll to store my dear husband's sculpting tools (don't ask) came about when I caught him rummaging around for a sharp blade in the current storage container - a catfood container. Not classy - and not safe. The pattern is an adaptation of one from the Lotta Jansdotter book (which, by the way, I HATED and, as such, immediately sent back to Amazon - nothing original, and not a patch on my AB In Stitches - in my humble opinion) and has a hardy denim exterior and equally hardy black drill cotton interior (a DKNY drill cotton, darling!). The adaptation is in the construction - I'm a more robust and neater "right sides together" girl, rather than "binding the edges with twill tape"....

Not a lot of progress to report on ANY of the other WIP's - I've reached the 32 week mark with the "growing a person" project and am shattered by 8.30pm! But Quilt Class starts again tonight so here's hoping they'll be an update of substance here soon...

Lazy Susan

2007-04-10T13:59:00.000+12:00

I know - I'm not Susan, but I'm lazy nonetheless. What the heck have I been doing since the 20th of March?
The bunnies are still in pieces but I did finish this nappy bag for Charlie a few weeks back, which I am really pleased with - I think this might even be my favourite to date. LOVE the orange and green combination - the fabrics are wool felt (for the main exterior panels) and predominantly a mix of Amy Butler flannels and cottons for the detail and interior.

Oh, and I washed, ironed, and cut the fabrics for the next three - I've decided to try a production line for these three, which I understand may be the way to go when sewing up more than one of anything...so watch this space!

Oh, and for some bizarre reason, I have taken up knitting. 10 weeks to go and we are ready for Baby Peanut - little itty bitty clothes are all washed and put away and the nursery is set up...we just need a baby (but not yet!). So I decided to try a Shepherd singlet pattern (1747) to keep me busy (and stop me buying more baby crap that we don't need). I've already had to unravel 3cm after a hidous casting off incident, so I'm thinking this adorable little singlet MIGHT be done by the time Peanut is 21!

Back To Our Regular Programming

2007-03-20T11:49:00.000+12:00

As well as growing a person, this week's featured WIP's include:

Painting Baby Peanut's chest of drawers in Biscotti, from Resene. (Look at how terribly sick I am, Grandma. And don't worry - Daddy already told Mummy off for my lack of pants!).

Washing and drying baby clothes, in desperate need of that chest of drawers!

Nappy Bag #1, Nappy Bag #2, and Nappy Bag #3 (featuring my new AB's - you cannot beat the FQS for selection and service!):

A quilt (in desperate need of an iron):

And a few bunnies (although the Monkey says this image reminds him of a bunny abattoir!)

Hmm, nesting anyone?

Wa$ted!

2007-03-13T14:24:00.000+13:00

I know this is a sewing and crafting blog but I need to confess that I have a new addiction - Wa$ted! Wa$ted is a TV programme (Tuesday nights on Tv#3) like no other, and I love it - the aim of the show is to profile local families and their generally appalling eco-habits, in an attempt to help them to reduce waste, recycle, and save money. I have to admit that I've become a bit of an eco-warrier recently, thanks in part to the show, but also as a result of starting to feel more and more concerned about making sure that we look after the natural resources we have, and that resources are available for future generations.

Some ideas we're implementing?

From 3kg's, Baby Peanut's getting cloth nappies - thanks to Real Nappies. We've decided to start out with disposables for our sanity, but will switch to cloth as soon as we can.
CeeJae's lunch and any leftover's are packed in airtight containers, rather than nasty old gladwrap.
Cloth bags for grocery shopping.
Quick showers for everyone, and one bath a week for CeeJae.
Recycling dry pull-ups (in fact as CeeJae is dry 6 mornings out of 7, we're going to do away with the pull-ups at the end of the current packet).
We plan to replace the moisture inducing gas heaters in the house with convection or electric heaters before winter arrives.
Energy conserving lightbulbs are installed in the main lounge area - and we said goodbye to the dimmer to do this.
More walking = less petrol consumption (and good for growing boys and expanding Mummy's!).
Cold water washes - which we've always done - and minimal use of the dryer - which we've always done too. We installed a washing line in the garage, which was great last winter, especially as the garage heats up significantly with the smallest amount of warm weather and sunshine.

My favourite part of the show is actually the eco-calculator which I have just located on the Wa$ted website - and I am delighted to report that all the cold washes, recycling, and quick showers are worth it as our eco-footprint is only 4x the size of our section! Not that we'll be complacent about that - although I am horrified to see some people on the show with eco-footprints up to 25x their section...scary stuff. So, why not grab your rates bill and your electricity bill and find out your own eco-footprint - and get saving!

Reduce, re-use, recycle, folks! Oh and more sewing soon - I promise!

Final Thoughts: Creating February

2007-03-02T08:41:00.000+13:00

I know, I know - my mother informed me last night that my blog is in dire need of an update!

I also know that I committed to more regular updates as part of my Creating February challenge, but the reality is that binding doesn't make for interesting blogging! And this past week I have been so sick - I don't recall a more nasty bout of flu, which had both me and Stu completely wiped out. Thanks ever so much to CeeJae for starting kindy a few weeks back...ah, the joy of new and un-charted germs! And he was only sick for a few days!

Still, I did something creative nearly everyday this month and I'm thrilled with the results - two quilts finished, a new quilt started, new books and fabrics ordered, and nappy bags galore!

Photos to follow!

Update II: Creating February

2007-02-21T16:13:00.000+13:00

Finished: Baby Charlotte's Quilt, given to her on her Christening Day (Saturday 18 February).
I am really proud of this quilt - I love the colours and I'm really pleased her Mummy and Daddy love it too.

Piecing: Baby Peanut's Quilt. This is going to be fun.

Mine!: Amy Butler's Lotus, in the Tea Box colourway...perfect.

Planning: Nappy Bags - Three on the cutting table, such fun! Photos to follow...

Update: Creating February

2007-02-10T09:17:00.000+13:00

My first quilt: Finally bound and finished!

New sewing books: Ordered from Amazon...

Found: A creative solution to a hairwash crisis...

Creating February: A Personal Creativity Challenge

2007-02-03T10:09:00.000+13:00

As we are expecting a new person in June (which I suspect will have some impact on my sewing time!), and this month has seen the return of truckloads of my favourite TV shows (which pretty much destroys my sewing time), I've decided to launch Creating February, my own personal creative challenge! The plan is to sew or create every day of this month - and to update my blog more regularly on WIP's and daily achievements.

I realise that today is the 3rd so here are the results for the last few days:

Washing fabrics and beginning to piece Baby Peanut's quilt. I appreciate that there may be some confusion as these fabrics were originally intended for Baby Hill's quilt. The truth is I love the fabrics and the colour way too much to give them away...so another quilt is in the pipeline for Baby Hill.

Putting the fabrics and colours together for Nappy Bag #1.

Oh, and teaching CeeJae how to use the digital camera yesterday was TONS of fun. Yes, these definitely count as creativity!

Yoga Baby

2007-02-01T20:46:00.000+13:00

We had our 20 week scan yesterday - and according to the nicest sonographer EVER all looks wonderful with Baby Peanut (CeeJae's chosen name for his new brother/sister), which is fantastic news. I caved at the last minute and asked to find out gender but this baby has well and truly decided to make us wait - knees AND feet were firmly crossed! But I couldn't resist posting this super-gorgeous photo of my adorable yoga baby...how cute is that?!!

Domestic Bliss

2007-01-22T07:38:00.000+13:00

Homemade Honey Muesli:

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts

Combine together with 1/2 cup liquid honey and 1/4 cup canola oil and bake in a 170C fan oven for 3o minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool, and then add:
As much as you fancy (or 1/2 cup each) of chopped dried apricots, nectarines, apples, sultanas, chopped banana chips, sunflower seeds, and pepitas.

Delicious!
(Recipe adapted from Family Circle magazine)

New fabrics from Calico Cottage:

Twin bunnies:

Cut out and ready to sew...

Celebrations and Anniversaries

2007-01-07T16:13:00.000+13:00

A new year full of promise and plans - happy 2007!

Six wonderful years of marriage.

16 weeks of our second pregnancy.

A year of blogging.

New shoes!

Christmas

2006-12-30T08:17:00.000+13:00

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! We were blessed with TWO Christmas Day's this year - the first with Stu's family in the City and the second with mine in the 'Bridge. Beautiful food, fantastic company, and we were all spoilt rotten - although the youngest member of our family did rather well, I have to say! Still, he will be helping me to write thank-you cards sometime in the next few weeks - a very important task - and seemed to enjoy giving presents as much as receiving them which still makes me smile. And we FINALLY have our calm and settled little boy back - yay! And more big news that I am FINALLY able to share - my little sister is having a baby in June too! Yippee! We were running neck and neck with our dates but her recent trip to the midwife confirms that she is 16 weeks along and due a week before me...too exciting!

And can I share one family tradition that I love? My family draws names out of the hat each Christmas for the following Christmas - and each person then has 12 months to MAKE a present for their recipient, from the whole family (and yes, you can MAKE the money to buy a present if you're really stuck!). This year, we made a family photograph for my Dad (which has yet to be taken and framed - but we couldn't take it without my parents!) and bought a facial for my sister, and we received a basket of homemade and specialty goodies (made by Mum) and a whole sheep for the freezer (made by Dad - who's a sheep farmer!). Spoilt!

Other handmade gifts this year included:

A bag for my SIL, Pippa, which includes my first attempt at putting in a zip:

The handles and decorative detailing on this bag which Harri made AGES ago but has never finished:

So, my sewing plans for the holidays and beyond?

Cut out and piece BabyHill's quilt.
Tidy my quilt stash.
Cut out and sew my Amy Butler Overnight Travel Bag.
Nappy Bags x4 (one each for my sister and I, one for a commission, and one that's still a secret...)

That should keep me busy for a while!

'Tis The Season!

2006-12-23T14:05:00.000+13:00

My Chocolate, Prune, Fig and Port Christmas Cake: Made in November, complete with a wooden spoon and a set of family wishes. Will try a bite this afternoon and let you know the verdict! As a rule I LOATHE Christmas cake, but add chocolate and I can very easily make an exception...

Our new favourite dessert: Apple tarte tartin. Simple AND delicious. Thank you Donna Hay!

Bitty Booties for Baby Charlotte: Happy Christmas, beautiful girl! More hand-made presents to post after Christmas (obviously) although, to be honest, I didn't get as many things made as I had hoped to. What WAS fun though was the Christmas Cooking Class attended by my sister, my sister-in-law and I a few weeks ago. Wayne is a fantastic chef and teacher and the recipes are inspired and divine...with the entire menu, including my contribution of the summer tomato tarts, a couscous/roast vegetable/feta salad, and strawberry and mascapone tarts, to be featured at the G-family Christmas Feast at Honeysuckle Cottage on Boxing Day. Stu and I have always taken turn about with our presence on Christmas Day and, this year, we're with his family for "the day" and mine for "the day after".

The big news in our house this year? Not our new baby, but the fact that Santa will actually arrive down our chimney tomorrow night AND that he will be bringing presents. While I am usually not the biggest fan of the stress and expectation associated with Christmas, there is something to be said for seeing the season through the eyes of a three year old - who is just as excited about giving the other gifts under the tree, as he is about receiving his own.

Perfect.

And may your holidays be perfect too.

Merry Christmas. xx

Time to tell: All is well

2006-12-16T13:03:00.000+13:00

Finally, an explanation for my tiredness, my complete lack of sewing, and my awful and irregular updates.

Stu and I will be adding to our little family sometime in June next year.

And no, we're not getting a dog.

My Best Friend's Wedding

2006-12-12T21:57:00.000+13:00

This past weeked I had the absolute pleasure of being Best Woman at one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever been to. Jewels and the G-Man were married in the City on Saturday evening and while I know that a TEAM of support people and IMMENSE amounts of hard work and acute attention to detail made this wedding possible, it certainly paid off. The Bride looked divine, the Best Women looked stunning (of course), the ceremony was perfect, the weather held, the fireworks were spectacular (thanks to Christmas in the Park!), the food was amazing (gourmet fish and chips!) and we danced all night. Those flowers? Peonies. Hundreds of pink and white peonies flown in from the South especially for the grand occasion. My bouquet was so heavy I could barely hold it up.

Glorious.

Congratulations, you two. You are perfect for each other. And as the Best Man said, "May your love be modern enough to last the times yet traditional enough to last forever".

Glorious.

Arrivals

2006-12-02T14:23:00.000+13:00

1. December. Holy shirt-tales Batman, where has this year gone!? [Please do not tell me how many sleeps there are until Christmas, I may implode...]

2. Summer is finally here! Today is simply glorious in the City Of Sails, the most amazing and perfect first summer's weekend day...about time too! CeeJae and I abandoned a sleeping Daddy early this morning (who was out until all hours watching bad 8o's videos!) and headed out to the park, before breakfasting on pancakes and other kinds of yumminess at our favourite local cafe, Frolic. Perfect.

3. Marsy's little parcel of goodies have arrived! I made her a bag for leaving a comment on my blog and parceled it up with a little scrap and button bag and a classic children's book (My Cat Likes To Hide in Boxes!) for her daughter. The nine-patch on the front is actually the American vintage patch that Marsy sent me as part of our magazine swap...it somehow seemed fitting for it to be returned to her in this way. The pattern in a ElleMae-Amy Butler Nappy Bag hybrid and the interior is striped, spotted, and floral flannels. Soft and pretty.

4. Jewels arrives in the City on Monday for her wedding to the G-Man next Saturday. I am really looking forward to her arrival as we have lots of fun and girly things planned for next week (I have a few days off), including a cocktail celebration hen's night and pedicures!

5. A pretty new Rosalie Quinlan bag pattern for a special Christmas present - I'm not at all keen on the paisley but I love the style and have a few Amy Butler's which will be perfect for both bag and recipient. Still, while I refuse to acknowledge the number of sleeps until Christmas, I am well aware that I had better get off the computer and get sewing!

This One's For You, G-Man

2006-11-23T13:58:00.000+13:00

[The title of the post refers to a recent conversation with my very best friend's fiance - where he casually admitted to reading my girly CRAFT blog! I am very amused - and deeply humbled. Thank you G-Man, for your tireless support and devotion to the cause. Hopefully, the Grade A Sarcasm and the mention (in the TITLE of this post, no less) will warrant a comment?]

This week I'm working on a "Johnny and Buck" quilt for Baby Issac (who was born about 2 months ago, but better late than never, right?). The name refers to small number of fabrics featured from the "Johnny and Buck" range from Moda - which I have not had a lot of success in finding as they're a few years old now. I'm undecided on including the yellow, especially as the yellow fabrics are quite "pretty" - and so I picked up a handful of red and green (or is it blue? Man, that colour is hard to match!) fabrics from Patchwork Passion, while at my Quilt Class on Tuesday night. Where I should have cut this quilt out. But I didn't. I gossiped and shopped instead. My bad.

Marsy's bag is FINALLY done - and it's winging it's way to you right now, Marsy! No photos to post obviously, as the surprise would then be ruined...but watch this space. Hope you like it Marsy!

Back In Black

2006-11-14T19:46:00.000+13:00

Okay - that's enough. I've had it with being mopey and whiney and lazy and pathetic - time to get up off the couch and get sewing! Oh, and blogging too - I probably won't bore you everyday, but I do promise to blog more often this month. And add links that actually link to somewhere. Deal?

I missed my quilting class last week as I had an important meeting the following day at work (which I needed to prepare for) but I still managed to almost finish this cute little black evening bag...

I have Marsy's bag almost finished too....it's coming Marsy, I promise!

BabyGee's quilt has finally come back from the quilters and I am THRILLED with the results. Sadly, I will not be sharing my new quilting friend with any of you - she is far too good to share - and I can't share pictures of the quilt either because her Mummy and Daddy might see! BabyGee is being christened in Febuary so I think the quilt will make a perfect present...you'll have to wait till then!

And finally, my beautiful boy, who actually agreed to having his face painted on Sunday when we visited our local market! Whenever the opportunity arises, I always ask him if he would like his face painted and he always says no - so when he said yes, I promptly stuck him in the chair and he requested a spider! He loved it, and was very disappointed when it rubbed off in the bath later in the day...bring on next month's market, I say!

MIA: Inspiration

2006-11-02T09:57:00.000+13:00

Has anyone seen my creative inspiration? I had it a minute ago and then I put it down somewhere and...

Not a lot to report this week, I'm afraid - I seem to be stuck in a bit of a funk, with lots of creative ideas (and two bags cut out even...) but not a lot of action happening at my new sewing table. CeeJae has been really unwell this week, which hasn't helped, and things are crazy busy at work, which doesn't help either. Maybe next week?

On a positive note, I have been thoroughly enjoying searching for my missing inspiration in here, here and here.

One Week

2006-10-26T12:44:00.000+13:00

Tomorrow, my little sister and her lovely husband will have been married for one whole week! The wedding was simply amazing; the weather held, and the Bride looked absolutely stunning in her very posh frock (complete with full veil even!) - the gorgeous couple looked adorably happy and "oh-so-in-love" all day long! The cupcake wedding cake was a favourite - inspired! And those cupcakes were as delicious as they look! My reading - a simple but beautiful piece about true love being "more than verses on valentines" - went off pretty much without a hitch, as long as I didn't look at the Bride!

CeeJae made an adorable ringbearer, especially dressed in the same outfit as the groomsmen complete with buttonhole, although to be fair his behaviour was NOT as angelic as he looks! We may have inadvertently built the ringbearer position into something a little too overwhelming, and we neglected to mention/rehearse with 60+ guests, who would be staring at him for a full 30 seconds. Still, my lovely husband kindly offered to take the little guy home early in the afternoon (the joy of an 11am wedding) so I could relax and enjoy the party. Yay for me!

A Space To Sew

2006-10-15T16:08:00.000+13:00

This weekend I FINALLY finished a project that I have been wanting to finish for the longest time...my sewing table! I purchased a crappy little white table from TradeMe too long ago to remember when! Inspired by my new ironing board cover (a thank you from my little sister for the kitchen tea) and her beautiful and neat little cottage, I finally removed the clutter (aka junk) from the tabletop and took action. I painted the legs and underside in Hippie Green (a Resense colour) and then covered the badly damaged formica top in the cheeries print oilcloth purchased from Kate Fitzpatrick shortly after I got the table. You could safely guess that I am not one to rush into ANYTHING. (Except marriage? Engaged 4 months after we met and married in 14 months! I knew he was the one!)

Lessons learnt (but not about marriage!)?

A 3-year-old is not a suitable painting apprentice. Three is a time of independence and boundless creativity - not following specific and stupid instructions about how much paint should go on a brush, or where to place said paint, or how much of oneself should be painted. In hindsight, I should have given CeeJae his own painting project. But we got there.
Oilcloth is ostensibly just shiny fabric - and as such it stretches.
Ostensibly is a fantastic word.
Anything with rounded corners will be a complete bastard to cover.
Using upholstery tacks to afix the aforementioned oilcloth will render the drawer utterly useless. Jamming the drawer forcibly into the drawer space will also render the drawer utterly useless. Still, pretty drawer.

And Mel's nappy bag has finally made it to Mel, thanks to the long-awaited return of my fortnightly quilting class. Mel is really pleased with the fabric and colour choices (pretty green wool felt for the exterior, and a Debbie Mumm Noah's ark print for the interior, alongside a few native NZ prints for the pocket). Love the "Baby" too - very cute, and in polka dots of course!!

WIP's this week include two new bags, a bag for Marsy, a quilt top (maybe? I think I'm ready to make a quilt!), and my baby sister's wedding on Friday...too exciting!

Congratulations Marsy!

2006-10-14T09:52:00.000+13:00

Ok, so my bribe for comments didn't really pay off but thank you to the lovely people who left comments anyway...very much appreciated.

A cute little bag will be winging it's way to you, Marsy sometime in the next few weeks!

Hen's High Tea

2006-10-08T19:42:00.000+13:00

I have been busy this week having a ton of fun preparing for my little sister's hen's party - a gorgeous kitchen tea, complete with cupcakes and heart-shaped strawberry sandwiches, vintage cups and saucers, and 12 lovely ladies! The Bride gets married on the 20th of this month, and as many of her friends are pregnant or have little ones, we decided on a sophisticated afternoon tea to celebrate rather than the "more typical" hen's night (I didn't say "traditional" as the kitchen tea is actually the traditional celebration for a bride-to-be - Wedding Trivia Fact #27). And as the Bride's Maid (Ha! That's funny!) is still in Australia, I decided to coordinate the event for her, from invites to dishes, and including sending the Bride off to Sugar Plum for her very first facial (she hasn't lived!), while I busied myself in her beautiful little cottage making sandwiches and tarts, and icing the single most adorable cupcakes on the planet [Sorry, photos to follow - can you believe I forgot to take my camera??!!].

To keep the afternoon humming along, I decided to put together a few games and little gifts for the ladies and when I couldn't find a suitable way to contain said items, I went right ahead and made these:

Super quick to make, but exactly the right size and perfectly pretty stacked together on a vintage tray. I printed each of the guests name's onto my new fabric paper (which is my new favourite toy - I even made my own labels on my printer!) and attached to the front - a cute way to acknowledge each guest, but also perfect "nametags". Needless to say, we now have one very happy Bride (remember, children, facial + cupcakes = happy), who thanked your's truly with the prettiest mint green ironing board cover from here . Not that I needed to be thanked...this little event was so much fun to plan!

Next stop - my little sister's wedding! Can't wait - she will be the most beautiful bride EVER. One small hitch? I have started crying at any mention of her wedding. Already. And I have to do a reading. BUT I'm wearing Trelise Cooper - TRELISE COOPER!!! - so all is well.

And in the spirit of "what goes around, comes around" (and the pathetic number of comments on my blog which are more important to me than I care to admit), I am giving away a cute bag (similar to the one pictured below) to someone who leaves a comment on this post. I don't mind if you already have one of my bags - after all, you can never have too many bags - and I will post international. The prize will be randomly drawn on Friday the 13th of October (perfect!) and cannot be exchanged for cash (because I have none). The judges decision is final and blah, blah, blah.

Go on, comment - I dare you.

Like Raindrops on Roses...

2006-10-01T13:41:00.000+13:00

A few of my favourite things this week:

SPRING! This cherry blossom in our garden is simply gorgeous!
Freshcut by Heather Bailey. This is one amazingly talented woman, who's new fabric line, Freshcut, will be available from FreeSpirit early next year. Too cute, gorgeous vintage inspired fabrics...can't wait! Hopefully Ki mberley will have them! Read more about Heather's fabrics here.
The Crafters Companian - Not that I officially NEED it, but I will be buying/pre-ordering a copy of this! Looks like lots of great projects inside!
Push Play Nation - I have joined Maggies Walking Group and am walking my way to better health and fitness. I would have joined Robbie's Running Routine (that boy is HOT, HOT, HOT!) but he won't actually be leading the group, so therefore I have no incentive to run.
Donna Hay - It is so refreshing to use recipes that actually work! I love her cupcakes recipe which we used for CeeJae's birthday, and the Kids Issues are full of great party ideas and recipes that kids really do love.
Puddle & Co in the 'Bridge, who are quilting Baby Gee's quilt. Yay!
Trelise Cooper. I have bought the most beautiful skirt ever for my sister's wedding next month...'Nuff said.
Sewing!Details from Mel's nappy bag, which is very nearly done:

Oh and this cute little guy too - of course!

Girl About Town

2006-09-23T15:13:00.000+12:00

CeeJae and I have returned this morning from three days at the farm, which included taking in a private viewing of this little beauty, which I totally ADORE (I just have to convince the Monkey that moving out of The City is a perfectly sane idea), and the Waikato Quilt and Craft Fair where I picked up the little yellow dress-up doll fabric from Cushlas Village Fabrics and these other little cuties from Just Patchwork:

In other news, a WIP which is destined to be a nappy bag for Mel:

And a photo just for Uncle Jimmy, to prove that we DO have room for a swingball set...thank you! This photo was taken in between afternoon showers so maybe it's the weather we need to worry about in The City, not just the size of our front lawn!?

Oh and today I opened an Etsy account - watch this space!

I Send An S.O.S. To The World

2006-09-15T13:43:00.000+12:00

Just to prove I have been sewing, a Messenger Bag (hence the "Message in a Bottle" reference - man, I LOVED the Police!) with at least a zillion pockets, for my lovely friend Shona:

And the ultimate "work in progress": Happy 3rd Birthday, CeeJae. We love you so much - have a wonderful day tomorrow surrounded by your family and friends. Eat too much cake. Open the present before the card. Laugh till it hurts. Blow out the candles. Throw sand. Cry when you're too tired to cope with the fun anymore. Let me kiss you lots and make everything better.

Can you really be three?

The Simple Joy of the One Woman Play

2006-09-11T21:25:00.000+12:00

In case you're wondering, and I know you are, I returned from Wellington last weekend exhausted and depleted and even a little despondent, but I have been rejuvenated by a few small joys (like my lovely friends and family), in particular the joy that is the One Woman Play.

I have been incredibly fortunate this last fortnight to attend TWO One Woman Play's - "The Case of Katherine Mansfield" (with my Mum, and starring the ever brilliant and amazingly talented Danielle Cormack, who is, quite possibly, my favourite actress of all time - click here for a review) and "The Blonde, the Brunette, and the Vengeful Redhead" (with the lovely Tracey, and starring Kerry Fox, who I have to admit I was not so fond of, but I am a convert having seen her fantastic range and skill at work in this very complex and moving play - see here for the details). There really isn't anything quite like going to the theatre, is there?

[Except the nasty coughing and shuffling audience - I could really do with LESS coughing and shuffling from the "great unwashed" as a general rule. Still, small blessing in the fact people seem to have finally learnt how to turn off their cellphones!]

If I had to choose, I really loved the KM play - Danielle is wonderful as the stroppy and irrepressable KM - but it is impossible (and unfair) to compare these two strikingly different pieces of work. I'm just thrilled to have been to both and with two such lovely people for company - lucky me, huh?

PS. Yes, I am still sewing (in between two weddings, a third birthday party, a new baby in the family, and a renewed interest in my PhD - which I am mad keen to supress!) and have a few projects to show off in the next few days...which may also include a bag or two FOR SALE, even!
So there!

A Break From Our Regular Programme

2006-08-30T15:09:00.000+12:00

I'm off to Wellington this afternoon for a conference - but I'll be back next week with more exciting work in progress - and yes, that means more bags!! This past week has just felt like utter chaos - which, coupled with my usual angst at the thought of leaving home for three days, and our family debut on national television on Tuesday afternoon (What? You missed it?), has made for some pretty hair-raising moments! Still, thank you for the lovely comments about my bags (both here and at Mercy Lane) - they really helped brighten the days!

Before I leave, a sneak peek of something pretty for Shona (yes, it's your turn!):

And a birthday present for a very special friend. Just who IS that hiding amongst the leaves in my lemon tree?

It's Official: I'm An Addict

2006-08-25T15:08:00.000+12:00

Three new bags for show and tell this week...

All have been adopted by loving homes - the top one is the "thank-you" for Megan, and the other two will meet their new owners tonight over dinner. However, in the meantime, I think I need to check myself in for some serious therapy here.

Happy Coincidences

2006-08-19T09:13:00.000+12:00

A few weeks back I was browsing TradeMe for Amy Butler fabrics (which I rarely do, because let's be honest, Amy Butler fabrics - or any other decent fabrics for that matter - tend to be as rare as hen's teeth on TradeMe!) and I happily came across a very pretty piece of AB flannel for sale. Much excitement ensued, and I began bidding on the fabric, intent to win the auction - and two pieces of oilcloth from the Wuthering Heights range that the trader also had for sale...this women was one stylish chick! As I read through the trader profile, I realised that there was a very good chance that I was intending on buying fabric from a local blogging buddy...and I was!

Long story short(er), I won the auctions, and the parcel arrived last week - and along with my winnings were a few other gorgeous flannel and AB goodies - how lucky am I? Thank you Megan...these are simply lovely, and I can't wait to put them all to good use! And the "official" thank you? Just for you, a sneak peek of this WIP...

And another WIP this week? Is she for you?

And another sewing lesson! This time I've been sewing with Kim (who has been working with me for the last seven weeks - and she is finishing her placement on Friday and I'm really going to miss her!), who has made a bag for a friend out of some pretty AB, Kaffe Fassett, and Kiwiana prints, lined with a silk shirt she ironed with a hot iron that was too hot...

And a new book! My copy of "In Stitches" by Amy Butler (of course) arrived from Amazon yesterday. A beautiful collection of 25 sewing projects (complete with patterns), including projects for the bedroom, kitchen, office, and just for girls...what will I make first!?

Happy Birthday Jewels!

2006-08-17T12:52:00.000+12:00

While shopping in Borders in Melbourne, I came across this book, and since Jewels knits the most gorgeous little hats (and tiny singlets) already, I knew that she would appreciate a few more ideas and patterns. This book is so sweet...the pictures are so cute, and the patterns seem really inspiring and easy to follow. I have no idea, to be honest...I CANNOT knit to save myself.

Have a wonderful day, my very best friend. You are a fantastic, wise woman with a wonderful spirit and an amazing smile, and I am so priviledged to have you in my life. You are my most treasured support...thank you for your friendship.

Finally! A Cuddle For Baby Charlotte

2006-08-13T14:08:00.000+12:00

We have spent the last few days in the Bridge, enjoying some downtime with the extended FamilyGee, and (the cherry on the top!) we have finally met the adorable Baby Charlotte! She is SO yummy - a teeny-tiny bundle of babyness, and cute? As a button! CeeJae and I enjoyed our own special cuddle and play with her...too precious. Congratulations again to her lovely Mummy and Daddy. [Can you spell C.L.U.C.K.Y?]

As well as a fleeting visit to Cottage Flair (where I bought NOTHING, and you'll find out why next week) and the yummiest coffee and cake in Tirau, as well as playing with the toys at Aunty Amy's house (including her gorgeous restored toybox, complete with oilcloth cowboys) , other highlights from the long weekend included GrandMa Gee's progress on the Wuthering Heights Quilt (very impressive!), and the nearly finished heart quilt (with just binding to go) which she had quilted by Puddle&Co (who I will probably ask to finish Baby Charlotte's quilt, once I sort out the backing)...
...and attending Garden Circle with the Whitehall Ladies - it was a real treat to visit a beautiful local home and garden, and enjoy a tutorial for making a beautiful oilcloth and ribbon noticeboard, and a yummy afternoon tea - and we even managed to pick up a few duck eggs! Thank you Coyla, for these delicious eggs (one of which we enjoyed in homemade pancakes this morning...) - and what a glorious colour duck egg blue really is too!

I also loved going through these doll clothes, which my mother made for my sister's beloved Cabbage Patch Kid, Alisha Holly...aren't they adorable? We had lots of laughs remembering our loved toys, and Mum especially laughs at how much time she spent ensuring that Alisha was the best dressed doll in the district! Twenty years later (and after spending much of the last decade in a box) these beautiful sets of dresses and bloomers, bibs, and bonnets, are still exquisite, a testimont to Mum's brilliant eye for colour and detail, and her sewing skills. And yes, that really is the view from Mum and Dad's home - pretty amazing, huh?

Our Hearts Belong to Melbourne

2006-08-07T20:20:00.000+12:00

We have returned from our seven day sojourn in the beautiful city of Melbourne... what a fantastic holiday! CeeJae was a S.T.A.R, enduring six hour flight delay's in both directions (Word of advice? NEVER catch the Qantas flight from Auckland, which originates/continues to LA. Apparently, stupid modern planes cannot LAND in fog, although they can take off - who knew? It's, quite frankly, DEMORALISING to watch plane after plane after plane taking off in an attempt to amuse your three year old who is patiently waiting for his turn, having woken up at 4am to take a big adventure to... well, the airport. At least his first experience of overseas air travel means that things cannot get any worse.)

Highlights?

Our first overseas holiday as a family, and nothing to do but relax and enjoy each others company (Magic). CeeJae was just brilliant - he settled in really well and loved having Mummy and Daddy all to himself for a whole week...as we loved having him to ourselves too.

Spending the week with wonderful Aunty Pippa (Too much fun!). We did, however, have to play fun police and have a VERY serious chat with Pippa about the potentially dire consequences of CeeJae bouncing on the bed after dinner and before bedtime..and we were gently reminded that aunties get to have all the fun and none of the responsibility! Can't wait to bounce on the bed with Charlotte!

The Quilt and Craft Show (Inspiring and overwhelming!). Beautiful fabrics, tons of inspiration, almost too much to take in over one morning. Trends? 1930's/reproduction prints, anything textured (think flannel, flannelette, chenille), and anything by Amy Butler and Denyse Schmidt. Too much yumminess. And these managed to hide to somehow hide in my luggage (unbeknown to me, of course):

Amy Butler flannels

As a rule I don't collect Japanese fabrics, but these are stunning and destined for a beautiful bag.

Plus, a Five Funky Monkey's charm square pack is finally mine and several additions were made to the Johnny and Buck cowboy collection for BabyHill's quilt - I have photos, but Blogger hates me, and Grey's Anatomy is looming. Tomorrow's treat.

The public transport system in Melbourne (Brilliant!). To be honest we could have just ridden the trains and trams all day - CeeJae LOVED catching the train each morning (Pippa lives two minutes walk from the train station and you can catch a train pretty much anywhere in Melbourne) and asked me this morning where the trams were in Auckland...

The attractions? We visited Scienceworks, Bridge Rd and Bourke Street, Melbourne Central, Lygon Street, the Maurice Sendak exhibition at the Jewish Museum (remember "Where the Wild Things Are"? Now THAT was a highlight!), Melbourne Aquarium and the Southbank, Queen Vic Markets (gorgeous food), and the Zoo..and we loved them all.

CeeJae contemplates the fountain (and the meaning of life) on the Southbank - so young, and yet so wise.

Thanks for a wonderful holiday, City of Melbourne. I'm sure we'll see you again real soon.

Did I Mention Melbourne?

2006-07-28T12:59:00.000+12:00

In the interests of improving our sanity, getting out of Auckland, and spending some quality time with my SIL, the three of us are off to Melbourne this week...we're really looking forward to it (but mostly this - can you believe that totally by accident I booked our airline tickets and managed to coincide our visit with the last two days? How terrible!) but a little apprehensive about a 4am start tomorrow and the effect that this will have on CeeJae (and his Mummy and Daddy!) later in the day.

In the interests of a FAMILY holiday (it's not just about me attending the CraftFair, after all!) we are also hoping to get to here, here, and here. And maybe here but only if we happen to be in the neighbourhood and we have plenty of time and CeeJae and his Daddy are happy (okay, honey?).

In other news, the winners for the July WhipLash Bag Challenge have been announced over at WhipUp, and while I didn't win (or even manage a mention!), I love MOST of the ones that did and the bag that I made. And I haven't done ANY sewing this week so no WIP...naughty.

Have a lovely week. Miss me lots!

There's No "Me" in "Team"...Is There?

2006-07-24T21:10:00.000+12:00

CeeJae, my "big boy" (he going to be three in September, for goodness sake!) has announced that he will no longer be taking a daytime nap because "big boys" don't have daytime naps. Big boys also don't have dummmies. Or bottles. Or wear nappies. Or respect Mummy's need to get a little sewing or blogging or emailing done during the day's we're home while he has a two hour sleep.

Goodbye "Me Time". Goodbye Daytime Nap - I'm going to miss you.

Why do children grow up so damn fast?

Presents for Charlotte

2006-07-21T13:11:00.000+12:00

Cute shoes! I whipped these up the day after Charlotte arrived (wool felt and the prettiest oilcloth for the soul) using the free Bitty Booties pattern from HELLOmynameisheather - I have been home sick most of this week with the grottiest of colds which means that I can sew to my heart's content but I can't see my neice yet...not fair! HOPING (fingers and toes crossed) to see her Sunday but not confident at all that this will happen...sad, but I'd rather see her when we're well and there's no risk to Charlotte or her Mummy and Daddy.

And as I am confident that her Mummy and Daddy are FAR too busy to look at my blog, a WIP on the quilt:Just borders and backing and quilting to go (whew!)! Now that Charlotte's here and I know that she's a"she", I'll quilt the squares with hearts, just to pretty it up a little. Not that it needs it - I know I'm biased but I think it's lovely.

Welcome Baby Gee!

2006-07-17T13:32:00.000+12:00

Little Charlotte Isabel was born last night, weighing in at a not-so-wopping 5lbs 14oz, although she is reported to be fast making up a few extra kilos!

Mummy, Baby, and very proud Daddy are doing well.

Now, this aunty really must finish that quilt!

Thank you's!

2006-07-15T07:31:00.000+12:00

Thank you - for all the lovely comments about the Dorothy Bag! Wow...amazing. I have been away this week at her funeral which was incredibly sad, but a wonderful opportunity to catch up with my immediate and extended family, some of whom I've never met before. Isn't it funny how it takes a funeral to bring families together? Note to self: Will catch up with my family here in Auckland MUCH more often...there's nothing more important than family.

Thank you - to Mrs Bonniface, my intermediate school sewing teacher. I haven't thought of Mrs Bonniface in the longest time, but I have been teaching Harri how to sew (on her beautiful Pfaff sewing machine - jealous!) and in doing so, I have been reminded of the roles and tasks of the "sewing teacher". Mrs Bonniface and I didn't really ever see eye-to-eye, given that I was a smart arse and she had a "bonny face" (so immature), but I recall her pride, and my own, when I finally finished my first (and only) half decent sewing project - a pencil case. Still, she must have done a reasonable job, because 20 years later, I'm sewing again and teaching someone else to sew - here's Harri with her first sewing project (a bag - of course!) made entirely by Harri, with fabrics raided from my stash:

Thank you - to Borders for FINALLY updating their range of quilting and sewing books. These two little tomes now belong in me, and are jam packed FULL of gorgeous ideas. Watch this space!

Thank you - to Marsy for the American vintage square she sent with my magazine as part of the Magazine Swap. It has proved unavoidable inspiration for the next bag project, which looks a little something like this:

Thank you - to Patchwork Passion, who had a vast majority of the Wuthering Heights range from Moda from my mum's Wuthering Heights quilt. Aren't these pretty?

And finally, thank you - to my lovely husband and gorgeous son for letting me indulge in my obsession with fabrics!

And as with the Oscars, if there's anyone I've forgotten to thank, thank you to you too!

Whiplash Bag Challenge: Dorothy Bag

2006-07-08T21:50:00.000+12:00

CATEGORY: Fancy

A vintage inspired bag made from a scrap of feather printed fabric fron Cheeky Beaks, a $3/3m demin purchase from TradeMe, a few bits and pieces from my stash, and that gorgeous beaded fringe which I picked up at the local sewing centre which matches PERFECTLY.

A pink, chocolate, and denim creation inspired by, and named after, my Great-Aunt Dorothy who passed away earlier this week. Pictured above are the bag, and details of the button/ribbon tie, the interior (Moda + Amy Butler) and the beaded fringe. I loved making this bag (which borrows from the Amy Butler Nappy and Swing Bag patterns) and, as such,
I've decided to keep it...

Don't look Amelia!

2006-07-08T11:13:00.000+12:00

Here's that post about the nappy bag I promised - a gift for my sister-in-law, who's first baby (my neice or nephew - although I have my money on "nephew") is due in about 3 weeks. I'm giving it to her tomorrow so I guess it's ok to post the pictures now...I'm always nervous about putting up pictures too early as I have no idea who reads my blog! Amelia chose the majority of the fabrics, but it was my choice as to how I put them together - and I love the colour combination, the cascading stripes (can you spell, "quick unpick"? Man, I must have ripped a million seams to get that right!) and the measuring tape detail on the front and the cellphone pocket (yes, a cellphone pocket - go Amy Butler for catering for the modern mother!).

Detail of fabrics on the front and on the back:

Detail of interior and pocket, including an oilcloth pocket for wet items (NEVER AGAIN - my sewing machine HATED sewing that stuff and packed a sad every single time...and as my machine is behaving like a bear with a sore head anyway, the oilcloth didn't help!)

In other news, I've ordered my copy of Hillary's 3-in-1 pattern book - she sold out of the first printing in 10 MINUTES and offered a priority waiting list for a second printing which I made sure I was on! If you want one, she will make any leftover pattern books available for general sale so refresh regularly! And Marsy finally got my Magazine Swap parcel - head over to Lemonade Sandwich to check out the goodies!

AND - my WhipUp bag entry is done....check back later for the post!

Gettin' Busy

2006-07-05T22:12:00.000+12:00

As I enticingly mentioned in my last post (go on - admit it - you were enticed), I've been furiously making bags - inspired by the WhipUp/WhipLash challenge, the Amy Butler Swing Bag pattern, and a realisation that I love making these bags for gifts that everyone appears to love receiving. This blue and chocolate delight now belongs to my friend Denise (who still can't believe that I MADE HER A BAG!) and includes a $5 piece of fabric from the local upholsterer (in the sale bin, usually $120/metre), some coordinating fabrics from my stash, and bag handles from Jewels:

I especially love the naughty bright pink Amy Butler stripe and floral which make up the exterior and interior of the little pocket...so cute. It was actually very difficult to give this one away - but it helps that Denise loves it and I know that she appreciates the work I have put into this just for her (the WHOLE two hours. A lifetime in cat years). I have adapted the pattern yet again for ANOTHER bag which I have very nearly finished tonight, after sacrificing CSI:New York - it is only TV after all. Hope to post pictures here soon...but tomorrow, the finished nappy bag for my SIL (cue dramatic and enticing sound effects!)

Postie, Postie, Don't Be Late!

2006-07-04T18:10:00.000+12:00

Parcels! And two international parcels even! A fabric purchase (and some extra fabric surprises) from the very talented Kristen at Cheeky Beaks:

And my magazine (and a few extra goodies) from the lovely Marsy at Lemonade Sandwich, my Magazine Swap buddy:

So lucky! [NB: Sunshine is deliberately included in the photos to prove that despite June being the coldest month on record since 1972, we also managed to record the greatest number of sunshine hours - go figure!]

I can't wait to get started on a bag for the Whip up Bag Challenge...although check out the next post for two bags that I've finished already! Ahhhh - I love being productive!

Hemlines...And A Moment of Gratitude (Sort Of)

2006-06-29T22:07:00.000+12:00

Check these out! This gorgeous "Hemlines Mix and Match Stationery" set from Chronicle Books which I purchased tonight from Borders while on a date with my husband. Yes, you read that correctly. The Monkey and I are so addicted to books (and me to magazines and stationery products) that we have been known to spend our one romantic night out a fortnight (thanks to Nana and Poppa's Excellent and Inexpensive Babysitting Service!) at Borders. We even have a ritual of sorts - we grab dinner at Nandos in Queen St. and then head into the magazine section, before I hit the Sewing and Quilting section (which is always disappointing) while the Monkey puruses Sci-Fi, closing with philosophy/pyschology and stationery (or history/computers if you're the Boy) on the basement floor. Then a chai latte or hot chocolate at Starbucks (yes, evil corporation, bad bad coffee bean stealing bastards, blah blah blah. I get it, I JUST DON'T CARE) before heading home to peace and tranquility. To be honest, this is my idea of a perfect date night - I love just hanging out with my husband, sharing our love of books, catching up with him about things that matter, and just BEING together. Once a fortnight.

Aren't we lucky?

[Actually now that I've had a play in the Chronicle website and registered for the e-newsletters, I need to add a few items to my wishlist - this (of course), this looks hilarious, and this would probably help me out A LOT - what an idea! In fact, I think I love Chronicle Books! Oh, and my husband too...now, what was I saying?]

When Good Mothering Goes Horribly Wrong

2006-06-23T12:44:00.000+12:00

[Or, Why You Should ALWAYS Read The Recipe, Even if You Think You Know How to Bake Cookies]

[Or, 23 Delicious Reasons Why Daycare is Good for Children.]

We are enjoying a day wrapped up warm at home today...man, this winter trip is getting old! I'm sure everyone agrees that the perfect "at home" activity for a busy two year old is always chocolate chip coookies...I must have made these 900 times since Emma introduced me to her failsafe/idiot proof (HUH!) recipe. The mistake I made today was GUESSING how much flour is needed...and here we have a selection of delectable chocoloate chip wafers.

CeeJae was very philosophical and upbeat about the fiasco ("Don't worry about it, Mummy!"), although 3 kilos of cookie dough will do that to a boy, so we decided to eat and enjoy them anyway - and we saved some for Daddy, who will eat them regardless because they have chocolate in them. Poor CeeJae - doomed to have a sweet tooth.

And I made up for it by raiding my fabric scraps (yes, I keep the scraps) so we could spend the next hour gluing, stapling, and cutting to make these pretty pictures:

While he's asleep (fingers crossed - not sure if the cookie dough will be a help or a hindrance!) I plan to get in a bit of sewing - the nappy bag is almost done (thanks to a very productive quilt class earlier in the week), and I have a few other bits and pieces to get on with. Many of which will be topics for next week!

Oh, and this gorgeous hat is a little gift from Jewels - thank you, it's been perfect for this hideous weather!

Inspiration

2006-06-15T09:33:00.000+12:00

One of the things I am finding really tough these days is that this blogging thing has introduced me to far too many clever people! I am now officially addicted to blogs (in addition to my addictions to magazines, linen, fabric, and stationery - as well as a few others I'm sure!) - and you may notice that the list of inspiring blogs on mine is constantly being updated as I come across more and more talented people!

My favourites this week are Cheeky Beak s (where I am in the throes of purchasing a peice of Kristen's gorgeous fabric - see Number 4), Mercy Lane, where Megan muses about her life (and she's a fellow NZ blogger who loves Spotlight as much as I do - yay!), and this free Bitty Booties pattern from Heather Bailey, which I found through Whip Up. I cannot wait to make a pair of these ADORABLE booties...thank you Heather! Only downside is that I missed out on Hillary's gorgeous pattern book...the unbearable pain being slightly allievated by the promise of a waiting list and a second printing!

I've also located inspiration in some less likely, but needed, places this week - in winter, which has inspired me to get out the first quilt I ever attempted and get it finished (handquilting a quilt also keeps you warm!), in the impending arrival of new babies, which is the source of inspiration behind the nappy bag and the red and cream baby quilt (with fabric being collected for another), in sadness, in gratitude, in kindness, and in joy.

The Magazine Swap is on next week - I am so excited! I have found the magazine for Marsy and I'm busy stuffing the package with a few extra goodies... This is my first swap, and it's been really nice meeting a like-minded blogger/Mum/woman - I can't wait for the next one!

Sneak Peak: Works in Progress

2006-06-09T15:45:00.000+12:00

Tough Week

2006-06-09T14:38:00.000+12:00

Not much to report on the sewing front this week...the nappy bag for my SIL is still at the "concept"stage, and I'm getting on with a little more of BabyGee's quilt whenever I can. I picked up a few more fabrics from Spotlight last week for BabyHill's quilt (and I have these on my wishlist at the Fat Quarter Shop too...) and joined the magazine swap at Cotton Strudel - join up while there's still space!

It's been a tough week. The kind of week where I'm reminded how much I love my little family, and my big family, and just how wonderful my friends are. Thank you to everyone for your support.

But I'll be ok and back to sewing and blogging next week - when I'll also turn another year older even!

xx

I Heart Melbourne

2006-05-28T16:43:00.000+12:00

So much to tell you but simply no room to blog...where is my precious time going? Jewels and I had a WONDERFUL weekend in Melbourne but, as you can imagine, a weekend simply wasn't long enough to enjoy all the Melbourney goodness! [Having said that, I managed to put a major dent in the Visa in 24 hours so imagine the damage if I'd been there any longer...]. Purchases of note (aside from a plethra of booze and perfume - Calvin Klein, Eternity Moment - from duty free, dinner and breakfast out, and other good things) included these BEAUTIFUL Nine West wedges:

And these little fabric gems (VERY RESTRAINED), picked up from the utterly adorable Patchwork on Central Park - a veritable hotbed of vintage/30's inspired fabrics, and a completely overwheming experience, which I'm glad I've seen, but probably don't need to see again...the shop is really no more wonderful (in hindsight) than Patchwork Passion, Cushlas, and the like. We are lucky to have just what we need here, girls!

The turquoise/green pair at the top are Amy Butler upholstery fabrics (Sunbloom) which will some day be cushions on our bed. The green's on the left are from a gorgeous series called "Johnny and Buck", which are destined for a quilt for BabyHill (due in September).

CeeJae and I have just returned from four days on the farm in Cambridge, catching up with my wonderful family. Managed a little more of BabyGee's quilt and completed a panel for a special family quilt while at home, as well as a quick trip to see "Calling All Quilts" at the Hamilton Gardens (which was a nice little peruse of a few inspiring quilts and still more quilting fabrics - for a change! See photo below) so this week's projects will focus on completing the nappy bag for my SIL's baby shower, as well as more work on the Baby quilt, and maybe trying out this new bunny pattern from Kiddley (aka Lobbylu). Check it out! This site is full of FANTASTIC ideas for kids!
Oh, and two new bunnies completed last week for Shona (one of the "pretty lady's" at work) and Nik-ka-ka (CeeJae's beloved early education teacher) - photos to follow!

It's Like The SPCA Up In Here!

2006-05-08T09:14:00.000+12:00

New home has been found for this little pink bunny who was a gift for my SIL, along with a few other goodies forBaby and Mummy.

This one (on the left - sorry about the crap photo) is a thank-you present for Emma, who I visited with and stayed the night with on Friday night, while working/playing for a few hours in Whangarei...her little man was, however, understandly very disappointed to find that I hadn't brought a gift for him too - so I will be making him a special little something-something in the coming weeks.

And yes, I did "call in" to the Apple Basket Quilt Shop in Kaiwaka and the Bernina Sewing Shop in Whangarei and I was VERY VERY NAUGHTY. Aren't the spotty fabrics (by Moda, from the Bernina Shop) glorious though...how could I resist?

I'm sure a suitable punishment will be devised and delivered in due course!

Bunny Making (aka Working at Home)

2006-05-05T06:33:00.000+12:00

It's called working AT home (as opposed to FROM home which would imply that I was being paid by the university for working, but yesterday was actually a private practice day...ergo no real work, no real pay) and sewing is work, people! While I did manage to see a client and engage in a little bit of reading yesterday, I managed to finish this little beauty for CeeJae (note the gorgeous scotty dog fabric - love it!):

[And another one, which is in the mail to a dear friend so I'll post his picture once he's been received. Same with the one I made last Thursday...while working. At home. Which is is the mail to a special someone. Hmmmm...I'm sensing a theme here!]

In keeping with CeeJae's parsimonious nomenclature system for his impressive soft toy collection, CeeJae has called his new bunny, "New Bunny". New Bunny joined the ranks of Dog, Bear, Rabbit, Panda, Happy Meal Puppy, Lamby, Big Ted, Daddy's Bunny, Mummy's Bunny, Little Ted, and Sid the Sloth in bed last night...he's been accepted by the clan!

[The big words? Part of a competition with the girls at work to add the word "parsimonious" to every document we publish - glorious, as it means "excessively sparing or frugal". As if we don't have enough to do!]

Only 16 Sleeps...

2006-05-04T07:15:00.000+12:00

My lovely friend Jewels and I are off to Melbourne for a shopping weekend on 20 May...how decadent is that?

The plan pretty loose but definately involves flying out very early on Saturday morning, leaving our bags here where we're staying the night (courtesy of a fabulous deal we located at wotif), before probably jumping on the tram for a spot of shopping here, because I really NEED fabrics by these people and these people, heading back into the city for more shopping, with stops along the way for still more shopping (probably involving wedding shoes for the bride - her - and her best woman - me, or just shoes in general), and sporadic eating and drinking in between to keep our strength up and moral high! Saturday night we may head out for a drink (damn the shops for being closed!) or catch up with my sister-in-law who lives in Melbourne and apparently knows something about outlet stores? Sunday we are eating and shopping again (those outlet stores, maybe?), before flying out at lunchtime, bags laden with goodies, to return home (through duty free!) to Auckland early evening.

Sounds tiring...I'll probably need a holiday to recover from my weekend away!

Excuse Me - Don't You Know Who I Am??!!

2006-05-01T17:05:00.000+12:00

The best part of Friday and all day Sunday saw the arrival of a film crew at our house to shoot a new series for Homegrown TV called "Nought to Five" which features typically developing NZ kids and their Mummy's and Daddy's - and CeeJae will be representing two year old boys (yes, that's him in the photo above engaging in extreme glue-sticking with his Daddy in the garage). The show screens on TV One in August - and was so much fun to shoot! Friday we had a chat with Gill Connell, who's one of the developers of the Moving To Learn programme for preschoolers, which was really interesting, and Sunday we met with Jo Lloyd-Lewis, who's a wonderful family therapist from Hamilton, who had lots of tips and tricks for us for managing CeeJae's everyday behaviour. It was kind of awkward being involved because the Monkey and I are, quite frankly, pretty damn good parents (yes, I nearly pulled out at the 11th hour...) and as such we have very few issues with CeeJae - and the uprise of those crappy evil "Supernanny" shows is pretty damn scary - but we have been assured that the show aims to capitalise on the great things we're already doing (all three of us) with additional thoughts and ideas from Gill and Jo to help us and other families with "normal, everyday" two-year-olds! So - house tidy, makeup on, everybody in their Sunday best, the film crew arrive and promptly shoot footage of Callum bouncing on the bed in the only "not-so-tidy" room in the house (the master bedroom, where I KNEW they wouldn't venture into) and playing in the "wild jungle of weeds" that is also known as our back garden...good news is, we're probably on the list for Maggie's Garden Show!

Callum LOVED the thought of being on TV and meeting his new "film crew friends", and was an absolute star, doing everything he was asked to do and more - even when he was tired beyond belief. Sunday afternoon saw an adventure to the park with the crew in tow which meant we were surrounded by other people wanting to know what was going on - and yes, we all loved the attention because it's really nice to feel like a movie star, even if it is just for a minute.

Direct Quote: Mummy! Mummy! The little white box has music in it!

Happy Birthday to my Mummy too...welcome home, we missed you, and we hope you had a lovely May Day birthday!

Bunny made it!

2006-04-27T21:52:00.000+12:00

A message from our special friends in California...

Amelia received her bunny yesterday and what a hit!! Thank you so much
for thinking of her and what a piece of art you made!

I sent Amelia the Wee Wonderfuls Bunny that I made a few weeks back as a wee and wonderful present for Easter - part of my one woman "minimise-the-amount-of-chocolate-given-to- small-children" campaign.

Doesn't it feel nice to give?

Dotty Jotty Goodness

2006-04-26T16:48:00.000+12:00

Being the stationery fiend that I am, I saw these featured recently in a crappy women's magazine (my other addiction) (along with fabric) (and a few other things that cannot be named) and knew that there was absolutely no chance that I would not own them...that's right, Denyse Schmidt stationery! Gorgeous. Featured here are the Dot's and Jot's Mix and Match Writing Paper ($19.95 from Borders) and the Dot's and Jot's Corrospondence Cards (5 cards each of the four designs featured, $29.95 from Iko Iko) along with two of my matching fabrics from the Flea Market Fancy fabrics. Ahhhhh.....bliss.

And an addendum about the fate of Mr. Bunny. He has been officially adopted by the lovely Harriet who promises to care for him and love him lots and lots.

This week has been chaos as usual with "big deals" of note being CeeJae starting his fourth day of daycare - a HUGE dilemma and ENORMOUS decision for me but a necessary evil given the fantastic opportunities ahead for his Mummy (and really not too big an impact this week given that we had Monday and Tuesday at home) - and the impending arrival of film crews on Friday and Sunday to film our beautiful boy for a new child development series called "Nought to Five".
Very exciting!

Happy Easter!

2006-04-16T12:21:00.000+12:00

Given the season, I have made a few little bunnies as gifts for a few special friends - the first is on her way to America to be Amelia's and was made from the Wee Wonderfuls Wee Bunny pattern which is a free download from Hillary - what a clever girl she is! The materials are from my stash (given that Jewels and I are unofficial members of the "April: Use What You Have" club, as we are saving money for our trip to Melbourne next month), with the inside of her ears and bunny tail finished in wool felt - and I added the "A" for extra special effect! In hindsight, I will triple the size of ears for a more floppsy appeal and, if you plan to make her, watch the attachment of the bottom piece - it took me three goes to get it almost right!

The second bunny, seen here lazing with his new mates amongst the weeds in the pukeko pot, is from a pattern which can be found in the latest Australian Better Homes and Gardens, and was an afternoon activity completed with my sister MissGee (soon to be MrsBee!) while I was down at the farm - the fabrics are stolen from her stash (still counts as use what you have! And I noticed that you took home those gorgeous flannels, missy!) and the pattern is only enlarged 150% - talk about a nightmare! Thanks to Mum for her patience - needless to say, we will enlarge the pattern way more next time! Also, the seam allowance is NOT included on the pattern and while we were aware of this, we may have cheated a little on the allowance which didn't help (Note to self; Do not skimp on seam allowance! Half inch all the way!). Recipient for this bunny hasn't been determined yet...any takers?

Anyway, that's all I have - my sewing machine is off for a service this week and I miss it terribly! In other sewing related news, however, I have finally chosen this very pretty oilcloth from Kate Fitzpatrick for my sewing table, so I will endevour to spend some of this rapidly disappearing Easter weekend getting started on the painting and covering...and BabyGee's quilt is back on! I realised on reflection, that I really just hate the yellow and so I have taken out the yellow sqaures, blanket stitched the hearts and animals in ruby red, and will add bright ruby red borders to each of the square...as soon as I get my beloved Elna back, of course.

Happy Easter, lovelies!

The Funny Farm

2006-04-06T14:12:00.000+12:00

CeeJae and I took the Overlander train from Britomart to Hamilton this morning for a few days on the farm with "Grandpa/Grandpa" (CeeJae can't quite work out the Grandpa AND Grandma thing). We arrived at 0945 and he's already won over his grandparents and his Aunty H-amy with his grumpy face and ever-so-cute rendition of his ABC's (which finishes at G!), had a ride on the motorbike, and deposited a whirlwind of toys across the living room. He's now asleep - thank goodness! Welcome to the Funny Farm! We are looking forward to a few days home, getting out of the Big Smoke, and spending time with my folks before Mum heads off to France for a few weeks...Bon Voyage Maman! Sewing free zone here as my machine is in for a service - which takes 10 whole days! What are the planning to do to my baby!?

(NB: Letter to the Editor forthwith: Britomart is simply amazing - clean, tidy, and the staff are so friendly! - and all those people whinging to the papers about how much they hate it should really just be quiet now. Hamilton Station, on the other hand, deserves to be called revolting and a horrible reflection on the Tron..send cash now.)

Plans for the weekend include getting myself a haircut (Gosh, I NEED a haircut. Truly. I do.), a trip to Tirau tomorrow for lunch and shopping, catching up with family, and spending lots of quality time talking weddings with my lovely little sister who is marrying the equally lovely Clif in October.

Ahh, t'is the season of love...

Here and there and everywhere!

2006-04-04T14:13:00.000+12:00

Wow - things have been so crazy this past few weeks and I apologise to the two people who take the time to read this blog (!) for my lack of posting...I have been working away furiously as Guest Editor for this month's Association magazine (first draft was "put to bed" today), preparing my PhD proposal (yes, it looks like it's back on folks!), supporting my husband in his quest for a new job (completed as of yesterday), and preparing for some other exciting professional roles - which does not leave a lot of time for sewing! However, on that front, Jewels and I attended the Stitching and Handcraft Show in Auckland last Friday (pretty average, especially after a hugely exciting discussion about her wedding plans - yay for Jewels! Yay for me too as I am one of the "Best Women"!) - although I did pick up two cute flannels (which go with the other cute flannels) and more spotty, dotty fabrics...what a surprise!

I'm also in the midst of making the Wee Bunny for a wee American friend for Easter (no children will be getting chocolate from me this year) from Wee Wonderfuls although it appears that he's been taken hostage by CeeJae who loves Wee Bunny sans eyes, nose, and tail - I suspect I will end up making two. Which is kinda okay, because my practice Bunny then goes to a good cause! There are also cute Bunny patterns in this months Australian Better Homes and Gardens...check it out!

I am officially taking a break from Baby Gee's quilt as I am not happy with not knowing if Baby is a girl or a boy - I know, it shouldn't make a difference but it does. And I'm not sure about the colours - or the fabrics - or the pattern. Best to take a break, methinks. Instead I will turn my attention to finishing the handquilting on my first quilt (winter is a much better time for sitting under a wool blanket, and winter is definately on the way!), and my lovely stash of American Jane, Denise Schmidt, and Amy Butler fabrics which are all stunningly yummy - there MUST be a new quilt in there somewhere! Quilt class tonight - can't wait!

A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.

2006-03-23T22:04:00.000+12:00

I have been sick with a particularly nasty virus this week and I'm off to Wellington tomorrow for a two day "retreat" (which sounds like spas and cocktails and massages and cute waiters and stuff but is actually an exceptionally dull Council meeting...) so I give you a photo all the way from Ireland of the gorgeous Ryan with his Pretty Irish Kitty - both made with love by my lovely cousin, Alison! You clever girl, Alison - both are delicous!

Enjoy!

The fab-wics are here!

2006-03-16T14:48:00.000+13:00

[The title of this post is a reference to a visit to Patchwork Passion last week with my Mum and Dad - we pulled up outside and CeeJae lent over to my Dad and said in big loud voice, "You better wait here Grandpa - I'm just going inside to get my fab-wics!". How cute is that!]

A little parcel arrived for me today from Kimberley at the Fat Quarter Shop - 16 fat quarters from the lime and aqua Flea Market Fancy fabrics! Stunning. And so me!!! I can't believe the service and value from the FQ Shop - absolutely outstanding. Jewels bought the "mustard and chocolate" fabrics and will hopefully have them here for me to see tomorrow...photo to follow.

Additional to the aforementioned brief visit to Patchwork Passion last Thursday (Mum is making a beautiful quilt with a selection of yummy reds and Japanese fabrics), Jewels and I headed out to Calico Cottage for a second attempt last Friday...the service was much more receptive, and the range still amazing. New purchases included the aqua dragonfly's and coordinating Japanese fabric and orange dots which you can see here made up into a little laundry bag (right), along with a little bag in the pink and lime's I bought there last time (and which I have given to Mum today as a little present!). CeeJae is very jealous and has requested that the red truck "fab-wic" he chose is IMMEDIATELY made into a little bag too - which I must get around too! I have been thinking about making a few little laundry and peg bags to sell at the local craft market - but I'm not too taken with the idea of more things to do so will wait and see where that plan goes!

Other spoils this week have included a $13 collection of offcuts and sale fabrics from the "Growing Up" store in Manakau Rd - which is sadly going out of business. I picked up a range of bits and pieces including two denims, a piece of calico, waffle fabric offcuts (which I love - and will be so cute for some new soft toys) and bits of upholstery fabrics which will all be washed and added to that evergrowing stash...

Really must post more often - too much to tell you all! Remember to send me photos of your "Pretty Pointy Kitty's" to post and check out the new free bunny pattern at Wee Wonderfuls...too adorable!

Still here!

2006-03-10T08:10:00.000+13:00

We have been a little busy this past few weeks, with our own lives but also working through some unexpected and gut-wrenching family news ...but I'm back. Just. Lots of thoughts and prayers to our special family - we love you all and are thinking of you and wishing you the best every day.

I'm into boxes this week! These are a wee collection (two were given to me by my boss who was throwing them out then thought of me!) that will live on my sewing table, full of essential items, as soon as I get her painted and oil-clothed...so cute!

And my passion for anything with spots continues...this little gem also indulges my stationery passion too! I picked it up from the cutest shop called "Clan and Castle" in Trafalger Street in Onehunga - the lovely owner (who obviously loves her work so much - she forgot to pick her daughter up from school yesterday!) has the most gorgeous collection of homewares and gifts and also makes gorgeous cushions, linen, and curtains - quotes for roman blinds forthwith! (Why should I make them when she can do a million times better? Winter is coming people - we need curtains!)

Quilt updates and photos to follow - Jewels is up today to inspire and advise! Baby Gee's quilt is trucking along nicely and the mystery quilt has begun! Oh and I have FINALLY have a pattern which will do justice to my Amy Butler collection - check out the cover of this month's Australian Quilters Companion! AQC is not a magazine I usually buy but might become one...just what I need - more magazines!

Slow and Steady...

2006-03-01T21:02:00.000+13:00

Progress on Baby Gee's quilt is coming along slow and steady with the completion of the first of the cute farm animals in a range of the 13 vintage inspired fabrics, with additional cute animals and other identifiable objects (such as an umbrella and rugby ball!) still to come - the cutouts are drawn from the original pattern and my impressive collection of 100 cookie cutters (of all things) and attached to the calico squares with visilene, then sewn into place and held with pretty embellishments, such as a beaded cat collar.

Check out these adorable retro fabrics from Patchwork Passion - added to the ever-growing stash!

And finally, these. Six spools of gorgeous coordinating ribbon, with four feet of ribbon on each (they're from America - go figure!). Made by American Crafts: Elements and available from Spotlight for $14.95, these are actually located with the scrapbooking supplies but could easily be used by a budding seamstress for something pretty...again, as yet to be determined and added to that stash!

Well done Emma!

2006-02-27T09:35:00.000+13:00

Introducing Jemima Pointy Kitty and Ernest the Monkey, made by my friend Emma (who is a very busy Mum with two yummy children, so extra special "big ups" to you Em!). How cute are these two!

Funny story too - Emma initially sent these photos from her husband's phone and as we have different providers, I couldn't download the photos and I didn't recognise the number - so naturally I concuded that I was being spammed! I rang the number (and still didn't recognise the voice on the answerphone) and asked the nice man to stop sending me crap I couldn't open...well, how embarrased was I when Emma promptly called to assure me that I wasn't being spammed and that I did want the photos of Ernest and Jemima! It loses something in the telling, but funny at the time, so I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE! (Emma's laughing, so there!)

Visting Calico Cottage

2006-02-25T17:23:00.000+13:00

On the advice of one of the lovely lady's in my quilt group, Kelly (another lovely lady in my quilt group) and I (and our three little monsters) embarked on an adventure this morning, to visit Calico Cottage in Forest Hill Rd. While the service wasn't the warmest (perhaps something to do with three bored children, who, in all fairness were actually very well behaved and quite happily entertained by the resident dog and her ball), the range of fabrics is absolutely outstanding and the 20% discount sale (which sadly finished today) made it well worth the trip - thank goodness Kelly was driving as I have NO IDEA where we actually went! We agreed that next time we will make the journey sans children as I suspect we will then have more time to browse through the wonderful fabric and pattern selection - which includes at least one of absolutely everything - and also enjoy a quiet coffee in a local cafe...what a wonderful idea, Kelly! Purchased for my stash were a gorgeous selection of six 30's inspired red's and greens, a bright pink and green stripe and matching dot (for a laundry bag) and three pretty pink's (one being an Amy Butler stripe, I think), all of which I simply love and will add to the collection - oh and a bulldozer and digger piece chosen by CeeJae which will be a cushion for his bed...one day. Hmmmm....

And finally, the prettiest selection of cushions I have EVER seen, as shown in the latest Better Home and Garden's magazine. Beautiful. This is a fantastic and inspiring magazine and website with lots of free patterns and ideas...great stuff.

Quick update...

2006-02-15T17:30:00.000+13:00

Pretty Pointy Kitty is complete! She is so cute (and CeeJae ADORES her - of course!) but she was a bear to turn in the right way and stuff - as the instructions tell you! If you're planning on making her, I would recommend adding an additional 1/4 inch when you cut out her underbelly (C) as the seam allowance is too tight for joining the pieces and attaching them up...she's a little puckered underneath (and aren't we all!?) but adorable nonetheless. I used an Amy Butler fabric (of course) and wool felting for her stripes and eyes.

Baby Gee's quilt is underway! These are the fabrics, which are very "vintage" and surprisingly well coordinated...I picked up the last few from Cushla's in Devonport last week. Off to my quilt class now to cut out and mahine applique the hearts and animals onto the calico squares which go in between (or gossip - will decide when I get there). Sounds complex but it's not!

Good Things...

2006-02-12T13:17:00.000+13:00

1. Stationery - I am a stationery fiend. I love notepads and pencils and stickies and anything to do with stationery...I am the stationery cupboard's worst nightmare. Exhibit A: (L) Gorgeous striped writing paper, with matching envelopes, and the cutest envelope seals, and (R) Lotta Jansdotter stickies which are whimsical and far too beautiful to use...although I will force myself to do so, of course. Both from Whitcoulls and purchased in a moment of utter indulgence last Thursday when the Monkee and I went out BY OURSELVES on a date. How lucky are we?

2. My first ever soft toys - cute Crazy Kitties, which I finished last night and who are both adored by my son. They were meant to be a gift for a friend of ours, and the small one was supposed to be a prototype, but CeeJae cried when I pulled the stuffing out of the "Baby Kitty" so I had to redo him and make him whole...

3. Our cat Bean who is named after the friend who introduced the Monkee and I to each other - he is an "SPCA special" and he is suffering in this heat (being black!) and has made himself a nest in the shade of the ferns in the back garden. He annoys me immensely but I really do love him...
4. This delicious concoction of sundried tomotoes, green and black olives, and feta purchased with a loaf of chucky bread and other assorted goodies at the Onehunga Markets this morning... what a perfect start to Sunday.

5. That H2Go sparkling water with Cranberry...

Pretty Pointy Kitty

2006-02-11T18:46:00.000+13:00

I have just today downloaded the most gorgeous free pattern - the cutest pointy kitty ever. She's beautiful and I can't wait to make her! A big thank you to Hilary at Wee Wonderrfuls (where I've been lurkng for the longest time - and posted my first comment today!) for being so generous and so clever!

The Girls Are Back in Town!

2006-02-10T17:24:00.000+13:00

This Tuesday marked the welcome and anticipated return of my Tuesday night quilting group - a local "drop in" group (with limited places and a great bunch of girls who REFUSE to give up those places!) organised through Patchwork Passion which runs fortnightly from 7-9.30pm, and offers support and advice from our lovely and extremely talented tutor, Rebecca. It was WONDERFUL to see everyone and to have a wee brag about the projects I finished over the summer break...the nappy bags for my MIL and Trace, CeeJae's stars, and Amy's quilt. Very proud. Only downside was the return of the hilarious "House" which is now on Tuesday's instead of Fridays - although, come to think of it wasn't one of my new year's resolutions to turn OFF the TV?! (But not CSI...I LOVE CSI!) (Oh, and Criminal Intent) (Oh, and SVU) (But that's all) (I promise).

We have had a hectic but strangely refreshing few weeks, including a few days in Whangamata over Waitangi weekend which was wonderful - CeeJae LOVED the beach and the sea and required removal with a fair degree of force and consternation when it was time to go home! Upside is - he slept like a log!

Goodbye, sweet Kate.

2006-02-02T13:10:00.000+13:00

Monday was Auckland Anniversary Day and aside from being STINKING hot, Monday was also the first day of the two day closing down sale at Kate Fitzpatrick on Manuaku Rd. Lots of bargains (and not-so- bargains) but I managed to pick up this cute ironing board cover for $10.00 (Yes, the dot is is the right palce - TEN DOLLARS), a couple of cute teatowels (which are drying on the line...), and a couple of metres each of these gorgeous American vintage stripes for $9.95/metre - good stuff. The stripes are pre-destined to become backing fabrics - for BabyGee's quilt and something else yet to be decided - and are pictured here with a gorgeous Amercian vintage ABC fabric from KFH which will be featured in the cot quilt. The ABC fabric wasn't in the closing down sale, although I was assured by the sales girl when I popped along to the less spectacular "sale" on Saturday, that the Kate Fitzpatrick website (which, along with the store in Cambridge, will be the primary outlet for fabrics and other beautiful things) will be having a BIG opening sale in the very near future - get on the mailing list for more details!

Waitangi weekend this weekend and we are off to the beach at Whangamata with CeeJae's gorgeous new suitcase (I couldn't resist - and it was a Pumpkin Patch bargain too!) for a few relaxing days with my Mum and Dad - we haven't been too far from Auckland in a while, so we're looking forward to getting away and doing a bit of nothing! Hoping (fingers and toes crossed) that as school starts on Tuesday, most people will be heading back into Auckland this weekend to spend a few getting themselves prepared, thus freeing the road of all those hideous cars and dangerous drivers...and if you weren't planning to do this, I think you probably should! Don't you?

Be still my beating heart...Part Three!

2006-01-29T12:47:00.000+13:00

This is a sneak peak (thanks to Gina at Quilters Buzz) of the new range of delicious fabrics from Denyse Schmidt (who is the author of one of my new inspirational quilting books) - divine. These I MUST have...

And how cute is the name of the range - Flea Market Fancy? Love it!

So few hours, so much to do.

2006-01-28T10:56:00.000+13:00

Have been busy collecting the final fabrics needed for ANOTHER new quilt (why do we do this to ourselves!?) which will be thirty cordinating chocolate and pink stars on 18"x18" squares...I bought the pattern ages ago from Patchwork Passion on the day it arrived in (I love it THAT much) and have been slowly adding to the fabrics for the past months. The inspiration to get started on the stars has been pretty simple - I have been unable to find a pattern which I think does justice to my newly acquired and rather extensive collection of Amy Butler's (and I'm not looking forward to cutting them!) and I wanted to make a series of fabric canvas' for CeeJaes room and decided to go with the stars. Fortunately Jewels was here to help me! The three canvas' are now complete and, while not fantastic, are, after all, my first attempt and something reasonably cool for his walls - which currently having NOTHING on them!

Have also begun the process of choosing a series of vintage inspired fabrics for a coordinating cot quilt, nappy stacker and nappy bag which will be a present for BabyGee (my neice/nephew who will be here in July) - so cute! BabyGee's Mother is a big Kate Fitzpatrick fan so I purchased a piece from the American Vintage range yesterday and will even brave the crowds and head along to the closing down of the Manukau Rd store sale on Monday...they're moving their base of operations to Cambridge, so either way, I win!

Update me, damn you!

2006-01-20T21:30:00.000+13:00

And what the hell is the point in having a blog if you aren't even going to write in it?

Busy bee this week with work and Mummy stuff and all that jazz (the truth is, I have NO idea). I can't believe it's been a week since my wee expedition to the 'Tron, sans Baby and Monkey, for an overnight with my bestest friend and quilting buddy, Jewels...a kindred spirit who I have been friends with since our wayward Uni days. We began our day with the Quilting Show on the Living Channel, which I can proudly say I had never watched (until last Friday, of course) - excuse me, but 1970 called and want's it's TV show back! How archaic were those two women? And the quilts? Can you spell HID-E-OUS!? Nevertheless, I am assured that there are rare gems, but alas, as I am one of the few people who cares very little for Sky TV, it shall never be seen again.

Jewels and I then reviewed the latest Australian Patchwork & Quilting, which I don't usually bother with, but the latest issue is pretty damn inspiring, and I'm now bidding furiously on TradeMe (ah, my beloved TradeMe) for a back issue (Vol 12 Number 10) containing a Material Obsession pattern which I would like to do my Amy Butler's in...when I have a spare minute. My brilliant friend then helped me finish the pattern for the QUILT THAT SHALL NOT BE NAMED (Harry Potter anyone?) then we were off to the Warehouse (where everyone kets a bargain) in Te Rapa Straight - truly a marvellous beast - and out to the 'Bridge for lunch and a visit to the ever delectable Kate Fitzpatrick for oilcloth (which won't be in until Febuary) to cover the sewing table recently purchased off TradeMe - $8 even! I win! Last but not least the requisite trip to the Sewing Centre at 5X Roads for a few little fabric gems before heading back to Jewel's house for a quiet but fantastic dinner and a WHOLE NIGHTS SLEEP IN MY OWN BED ALL BY MYSELF...ahhhhhhhhhhhh, bliss. The simple pleasures. Thanks to Jewels and the Monkey for the mini-break away from my life - I needed it, and couldn't have done it without either of you.

The heart quilt is slowly heading in the right direction - the binding is finally on (just needs to be handstitched to the backing) and I have now decided to hand quilt around the hearts (they look so cute all puffy and yummy like that!) and add hearts in between for increased stability and to hide my crappy machine quilting...if I could undo the damn thing and redo it I would, but I guess this is/was my first quilt and I am assured by friends that you can't tell how awful my sewing was!

At least my sewing improved DRAMTICALLY for the beloved heirloom quilt I gave to my sister for Christmas last year.

This quilt is GORGEOUS, a slightly modified pattern (I added a border) by Rosalie Quinlan called "Rebekah Amy's Quilt" in pretty Moda and Robyn Pandolph florals and checks and stripes...very much like my sister in the gorgeous-ness of it all and (hopefully) perfect for her. There were tears on Chrsitmas Day when I gave it to her, that's for sure. (Just to clarify, in my crazy-mixed-up-wonderful-family, we draw a family member's name out of a hat and MAKE that person a present from the whole family - how cool are we!?)

Be still my beating heart...Part Two!

2006-01-12T12:36:00.000+13:00

This delicious selection of "Chocolate Mint" Amy Butler fabrics arrived yesterday...they are truly yummy and I look forward to adding them to my growing collection of Amy Butler's for use someday in something beautiful - if only I know what!

Purchased from the Fat Quarter Shop, they arrived without issue and I'm thrilled - I'm looking forward to my next purchase already! Ceejae was so funny - he received a parcel from my cousin and her family in Ireland (two Thomas the Tank Engine puzzles - he is into ANYTHING to do with Thomas and trains in general) and, once the puzzles had been dutifully opened, inspected and assembled) he set about helping me open my parcel. He was delighted with the "fab-wic" and, once he had torn open the wrapping, he proceeded to enjoy a selection of Amy Butler sandwiches. So cute!

Be still my beating heart...

2006-01-10T21:39:00.000+13:00

The new love of my life (in the fabric sense of the expression!) is this little collection from Jennifer Paganelli of Sis Boom who appears very influenced by Amy Butler in her Girlfriends fabric range - just stunning!

This bundle of 40 (yes that's FORTY) fat quarters retails for $USD99.99 at the Fat Quarter Shop and is definately on my wish list! Incidently my trusted currency converter tells me that $USD99.99 is at this moment $NZD144.34 which isn't too bad - I recently purchased a bundle of 8 fat quarters (oh please arrive tomorrow little ones) from the Fat Quarter Shop which, even with the $USD9.00 international postage, worked out cheaper than buying them at my local quilt supplier store...so lets do the math!

40 FQ @ $NZD7.00 each = $280.00
40 FQ @ $USD109.00 (incl. $9 postage) = $NZD157.85

USA AOK!

Happy Anniversary!

2006-01-07T18:31:00.000+13:00

Yesterday was our fifth wedding anniversary - and we enjoyed a fantastic day which began when my Christmas present from Amazon arrived at 7.30am...perfect! The only trouble with these delicious new tomes is that both books are filled to the brim with wonderful inspiring ideas - where will I find the time? I have a few other projects on the go at the moment but will ensure that I make time to get to a few of my new favourites in due course.

We then offloaded CeeJae for a morning with his delightful aunt and headed into the City for breakfast in an quaint french cafe in K'Road (where the food and service were amazing - we will be back!) and a quick visit to Illicit to choose a design for the Code Monkey's anniversary present - a tattoo! We have been talking about getting him one for AGES and the celebration of five years married seems the most appropriate time to scar my man for life...

The afternoon concluded with a quick trip to Spotlight for the plain fabrics that will be the basis of my Mystery Quilt (previously mentioned) and then fish and chips and cold champagne in the Park with family and friends which was fabulous - very relaxing and CeeJae destroyed himself chasing his cousins and friends and jumping on them while playing "soccer"! Home to bed for CeeJae and the Monkey and I watched a little ANTM (although thanks to my impatience and the UPN website I already knew that the winner was Naima) and then "Sin City (4 stars on the ElleMae Rating Scale - very violent but beautifully played out) before bed...

On the ANTM thing, I have decided that I will NEVER watch another series - how many FRIGGIN CRAP MODELS does America really need!!!?? And, as with all reality TV crap, the subsequent show's never live up to the first one...and without Elyse that show is NOTHING (How sad is this #1? We loved Elyse so much that, should our second child finally eventuate AND be a girl, she'll be named after Elyse...). Besides - I love Project Runway this week anyway! Go Heidi!

Happy Birth-day Britta!

2006-01-05T08:28:00.000+13:00

As many craft aficionados will appreciate, I sat up late last night to finish a present for one of my closest friends who's second daughter, Britta, was born on Christmas Eve...an Amy Butler Nappy Bag for my friend and the cutest set of "Britta kitties" for her new baby. The exterior of the bag is completed in an upholstery fabric (of all things!) which matched the changing mat I gave my friend for her birthday, with the inside of the bag (cute polkadots) and the inside of the pocket (coordinating floral) in fabrics from Spotlight, and the cell phone pocket and inside pocket in Amy Butler's Midnight Awning Stripe.

I'm thrilled with the bag and the kittens are adorable - but I think it's time to take a break from nappy bags as this is my third and there are undoubtedly more to come! Projects for this month include finishing my first quilt (started in 2001 and only needs to be bound - how sad is that?), collecting the supplies for my Amy Butler Weekender Travel Bag, which I am doing in AB's Chelsea Rose and the Melon Awning Stripe and getting started on my Mystery Quilt (which is a present for someone who will probably read this blog and thus can NEVER BE DISCUSSED AGAIN!)...

Introductions...

2006-01-04T14:29:00.001+13:00

My name is ElleMae and I am a 30-something health professional and mother living and working in Auckland, New Zealand. I have been married to the Code Monkey for FIVE whole years as of this Friday (we agreed to stay married for 50 years so only 45 to go!) and we have a stunningly gorgeous two-year-old son called CeeJae. I have been meaning to start this blog for AGES as a place to store and discuss all kinds of stuff, particularly relating to the numerous creative projects I'm always undertaking - to the detriment of my PhD! - as I'm a needleworker who's recently discovered the joy of quilting, especially using Amy Butler fabrics and bag patterns.