It's been an emotional weekend and I should have known that my dear mum would would fight till the very end. Late last night she went back to God. We have spent days and nights at the hospital and she was surrounded by so much love the entire time. But I just can't quite believe that she has gone and I keep wishing we had more time. It just seems so sudden. She had been doing so well and was talking so clearly last week that we all thought we had more time. It just took one week.
I wish she was still here with us but I need to think that she has left us for a better place. I've also had a quiet word with God to have the best of everything ready for her. Champagne, lobster, french shoes, clothes, french music and movies and lots of books. All of the things that she loves. And only the best will do. She was a special lady and left this world too early.
What a day. I woke up early for Mathilda's but by the time I reached the bathroom I remembered my mum and the night before. Oh. For almost a minute I was having a good morning. At the market I put on my brave face. Tried to smile, keep happy and not let on where my head and heart was. When Di and Di, two lovely quilters came up to talk and ask how my mum was going I briefly let my guard down. Thank you for those sweet words ladies, they kept me going. My dad had texted me just a little earlier to tell me that it wasn't good. My mum had taken a little breakfast and was given some morpheine to help her sleep. Friends and family were called in to come and see her, to say their goodbyes.
She hasn't been able to wake up since about 10ish but she looks so peaceful and is sleeping comfortably. In case you didn't know I have a direct line to God. Well, no I don't but I did send a quick email to the lovely Sr Josie at our church asking to have our priest come out and say a little blessing over her. He was there not long after (see, direct line) and his words were so calming, so peaceful and just what was needed in that room. We prayed, he said some beautiful words, we joined together to say the Our Father and Hail Mary and he placed oil on her - in his words to prepare her for the journey. He held her hand and there were lots of tears and shaking shoulders in that room. I don't think you need to be a person of faith to feel the comfort of those words.
She is unlikely to wake up again but we are grateful that she has no pain, is sleeping and is surrounded by our love. I also feel your love and comforting words and thoughts. They mean so much to me when my heart is breaking right now. My phone will stay next to my bed tonight as the hospital will call us when it is time to say our last goodbyes. And one of my favourite songs on the radio right now is just perfect for where we're at. Letting go.
Just updating to let you know that she is still with us but the end is very near. I never thought we would get to Tuesday but she's still with us for a little while longer. We've all been keeping a bedside vigil and holding her hand and just being near her. I don't think she has been left alone in that room since saturday. Thank you again xxxx
I know a lot of you have been asking about my mum. Since her last treatment, she had been trotting along nicely under the care of my dad at our family home in canberra. She had been having good and bad days but was happy and still talking. The last time we had a conversation was Tuesday but my dad had warned me she hadn't had such a good day, by Wednesday she wasn't doing well and needed to see a doctor, by Thursday my dad brought her back to Sydney to see her doctors and for a scan to see what was going on. Unfortunately, she was in such a bad way this morning that she couldn't have the scan. She was taken to a private hospital near us to try to stabilise her. There is no timeline the doctors can give us. Just keeping her comfortable, seeing what happens over the next few days and the Doctors will talk to my Dad on Monday about what is going on.
me and my gorgeous mum a la 1970's. Would you believe she was in her late 20's!
Seeing her tonight was probably one of the hardest things I've had to do.................ever. I stood at the doorway with little Elodie in my arms but it was as if I wasn't there. There was no smile, no recognition, it was as if the doorway was empty. I panicked because of course your own mother knows who you are. I sat and talked and tried to keep the conversation light and cheery. She can't talk or smile but can hear us. Oh can I just turn back the clock. To a time before her diagnosis. When I thought melanoma was just a bad mole you had cut out and went on your merry way again.
And thank you for your sweet and kind words. I know each of us has experienced this time with a loved one and it is never easy. No one has the answers, or the right words or a magic pill to make it all go away. You can't think further ahead than the next day and need to put your brave face on.
Well thank you for all of the sweet words yesterday! It feels great to get that off my chest. Now, like I said earlier in the week, I do my best work at the last minute. As I write I am sorting fabrics into baskets by colour and will pop them in my huger than huge ikea bags to load up into the car. And I might load up the car later tonight because market day also means getting all 6 of us out of the house bright and early for a 7am set up!
Now normally I would wrap each fat quarter in plastic. But with so many new fat quarters to bring with me, well that would take me a day in itself. So I had a brainwave - cute deco tape. And thanks to my lovely friend Francine we cut, we folded and we taped - in between coffee and biscuits. So glad the biscuit police weren't out in force because I realised later on that I skipped breakfast and ate biscuits for lunch! Oops.
I have a great spot inside the hall on Saturday and as soon as you walk in the door and turn right - I'm there. Stall number 1 to be exact. So I decided a new tablecloth was in order to freshen things up and how about 7m of lilac gingham from spotlight for oh I don't know.........................$13.93!!!!!
So I'll be back here over the weekend for a full debrief and hope customers remember to stop by and also that I don't forget to vote!
I actually started writing this post about keira and some issues we've had with mean girls in her class. I was genuinely shocked that there could be mean girls in kindergarten. Especially to someone as sweet and gentle as keira. Keira gets so much attention from the bigger girls in school, is doing really well in the classroom, has 2 awards from 4 school assemblies this year and is just loving school. And I don't need to tell you she has the good looks in the family! Thankfully, we got her teacher onto it and she's happier and avoiding the mean girls.
But a few days ago I opened up comments to everyone to enter my giveaway. There is a reason I don't do anonymous comments. Because of my own mean girl. Or as like to call them, 'troll dolls'. This 'anonymous' person comes out of the closet every time I open up comments for as little as 48 hours. People who know me know the history. This isn't some random person out there in cyberspace who dislikes me. This is someone I was once friends with in craftland. This is someone who has been to my house and knows me. This is someone who thinks she is anonymous and that I will just keep it all quiet and let it get to me. WRONG. This is what trolls want you to do.
When the friendship turned sour I was told to never contact her again. That was fine by me. But then straight away the anonymous nasty comments started on my blog. Coincidence. I think not. Unfortunately for her the comments always included her usual phrases and grammar which were quickly traced. At first I was shocked but that's when I realised that success is the best revenge. Keep focusing on the things I love - my blog, starting craft markets, my store and my family. And do it well. And do you know what it worked. This started almost eighteen months ago and I have moved on and gone on to bigger and better.
And so to you bloggers out there I need to warn you that a troll may visit you. I've seen it happen to other lovely craft bloggers and apparently it goes on in food blogland too. So I am guessing it happens in blogland fullstop. So remember that the problem is with the troll. The insecurities are theirs. The jealousy is theirs. They don't even own up to their own comments but hide behind them. So keep doing what you are doing and let your success get to them even more. They are only wasting their time. And my very own troll? Well her jealousy and nasty comments have been the ammunition to make me hold my head high, to really put myself out there, grow my blog and just be the bigger person moving on. So take that, troll doll........you are wasting your energy on me. It's time for you to move on..................
Troll doll images from here because we don't do troll dolls in our house!
Now that the school routine is down pat.........oh no wait, I forgot it was library day yesterday and keira had to help the librarian and draw a picture instead of borrow books and was devastated. OK, so to put it another way. Now that I'm starting to feel on top of it all - I am getting back into my baking again. Woo hoo. It is also because I am one and a half kilos away from my pre-Elodie weight. Thank you Biggest Loser weight loss bars, step, zumba and something called motivation. Eight and a half kilos down and I'm almost there. I love being back in my skinny jeans. OK, OK, with a well concealed muffin top but still being back in my regular wardrobe is a great feeling.
not the most attractive cookies but this is all that is left of 24 cookies this morning
Now, back to baking. The only cookie recipe I use these days is my one cup recipe. Why? Well, because it's just so easy, I always have the ingredients on hand and because I always remember how much to put in of everything - 1 cup! And on Saturday night a school mum told me she put seeds in her cookies. It was like a revelation to me as I am a huge fan of pecans in mine but I can't put them in for school. And so here is my one cup cookie recipe made better................and it's low fat too! Now you're talking!
125 margerine, melted (I use nutelex lite)
1 cup flour (whatever you have in the pantry)
1 cup sugar (caster or brown)
1 cup oats (I use whole)
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
Melt margerine and add to dry ingredients. Stir to combine and then roll tablespooons full of mixture into balls, place on lined baking trays and flatten. I actually just place them in blobs on the tray, but that's me! Bake for 20-25 minutes in a 180 degree oven (I have to use 190 degrees because my gas oven is so basic). Then cool on baking trays and enjoy.
late night baking - these babies are hot out of the oven
I love a few of these warm with a cup of coffee and I've put in brackets what I use just in case you were wondering. For buttery cookies, well just use butter instead of margerine. This recipe will make 24 cookies which could last you a few days.......or 24 hours if you live in this house. Retro daddy, have you been into my biscuits?
Markets sneak up on me. I always say oh next time I'll be so much more organised and I never am. Totally leave it all to the last minute. This Saturday is Mathilda's Market at Paddington Town Hall. I've got all my baskets, boxes and assortment of things out (which is an achievment in itself) but I've left the fabric cutting to the last week..............as usual! All of these bolts need cutting and folding............I see a few late nights of coffee and chocolate ahead of me.
I also plan on having a huge clearance basket on the floor which means sorting through the 2 huge baskets of remnants as well as bits and bobs that are floating around my sewing room. I'm totally last minute but sometimes that is when I do my best work.
Hope to see you there. Mind you I know a lot of crafty girls will be at Sew it Together and you'll find me in your goody bag (ha ha). But I'll be there in spirit and look forward to catching up with you all at dinner!!!
Hullabaloo is the latest range by Urban Chiks for Moda and I ordered 24 charm square packs to go into my store. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut, unfortunately Australia Post keeps 'losing' my parcels before they reach my customers. I'm now at 7 parcels MIA since late last year and just in the last month 2 different charm square orders have gone missing. So I'm reluctant to post anything unless it's express or registered post at the moment.
I'm beyond cranky - either the universe is trying to tell me something or a postal contracter has a wife who loves to quilt or japanese fabric. I've even tried posting at all different postboxes to see if that worked! Nope, just more time in the car and more petrol. Thankfully, nothing beats the stress of missing parcels than using a new fabric range and I love this range. Pinks, greys, greens, a hint of yellow, polka dots, floral and prints. Perfect.
But then on friday night another new range arrived that I quickly needed to rip open and use. Summer House by a new designer Lily Ashbury, real name Stephanie Carter. This range appears to be very Amy Butler inspired and I hope we get to 'meet' Stephanie on her blog and find out more about her. The colours just pop out of this fabric and will make for some beautiful projects.
I'll be bringing these with me to Mathilda's Market on Saturday and if any of the SIT ladies want any I'll bring some with me but I just can't bring myself to post them out individually since they seem to end up in a big black hole, otherwise known as Australia Post.
What a day! Pooped is an understatement. I was up at 5.30am (even set 2 alarms on my iphone!) to start getting ready and have enough time to do hair and makeup for the Aussie Bloggers Conference. I also felt a little pressure to look lovely since I had received my Westfield makeover. I hope Donny would be proud - I teamed my diana ferrari wrap dress with some black wedges and silver dangly earrings and wore it all day (so comfy) and then out to a bbq tonight. Thank you lovely facebook ladies for telling me to go with the wrap dress - it was the perfect choice.
But enough about my outfit - how was the conference you ask. Well it was so much fun and I'm ready to sign up for next year but I'm sure the organisers would love a rest. It should be a whole weekend too. So many lovely people to meet in person, give a cuddle to, chat to and I really enjoyed myself AFTER my panel. Nerves got the better of me and I needed to make 2 little trips to the ladies room in a short space of time. I made sure I sat next to Liss for a confidence boost and once we started talking it was fine. I calmed down. The hour we had on the panel went by super fast. Thank goodness for that. You can see a few pictures of me on the panel here...thanks Dani. I am looking a little serious, though. So focused.
Quick morning tea (coffee!), another panel where a male panelist received a lot more attention than the topics of discussion. Lunch......and you'd think I had never seen food before. All those delicious smells and for someone who normally eats rice crackers and hommous or half a cheese sandwich for lunch, well it was a real treat to have a hot buffet lunch that I didn't need to make! Oh dear, just another sign that I really need to get out more! And will you check out the dessert trays, oh my goodness, I couldn't keep my eyes off them. I settled on the strawberry and wasn't disappointed.
Another coffee, then it was time for the SEO (that's Search Engine Optimisation for the clueless like yours truly) and monetisation session. Sassy SEO was sweet, charming and knowledgeable. My kind of lady and I learnt so much in her little talk and realised I have a lot to learn. But check out her blog and resources if you are a little blonde and clueless like me in that department. Dave Lee from Nuffnang was up next and talked about working with brands and what they offer....obviously I know what they are talking about. Nuffnang has been kind to me and they are so lovely to work with. So nice to meet Lynda and Vanessa in real life too - hi girls! And then it was time to run out to meet retro daddy and head off to pick up our new car!
woohoo, new car! Unfortunately, we had no idea we'd sit in bumper to bumper traffic that is Sydney (on a late saturday afternoon with roadworks on the harbour bridge) for the next 90 minutes and I'd have the sweet sounds of screaming children to listen to. That had us running seriously late to a bbq up the road and thankfully the hostess with the mostess had a cocktail ready for me on my arrival - I'm not a drinker so she made it weak and it was just what I needed! Retro daddy made several trips back down the street to our house for bottles, nappies and supplies and I tried not to feel terrible for arriving empty handed. I never do this but will make up for it with wine and fancy chocolates tomorrow. We enjoyed a lovely bbq dinner, fabulous company (I better write that since the ladies are popping in to check out my blog!), happy children, the best ricotta cheesecake I've tasted and then home at 10pm to have a little glass of wine (ok mine is little, retro daddy's is not).
So, all in all a big day out for this normal homebody. I have very sore feet, a tired mind (and body) and am well and truly ready for bed. A huge thank you to the organisers of the conference, it was an amazing first bloggers conference that ran seamlessly and is a true credit to you and the hours you put in.
now I'm sorry if this is baby overload for some of you but I can't help it! No, actually I'm not sorry. Elodie is definitely at the very cute baby stage. And she is a mini princess in training as she likes to nap during the day with a little cushion under her head. I sit and watch her and if you move the cushion, not happy!
It's also all about blowing bubbles
staring at people until they smile at her
rolling.....but when you're just off the chart for weight and head circumference you have a bit of extra work to do to shift your generous little body over.
And that my friends is why I know I want another little baby in our family. Because they are just oh so cute and cuddly. We have a gift for making them this cute so it would be wrong not to use that gift! Maybe we could start a petition to retro daddy............
OK ladies; close your eyes for me. Think of your perfect day now that you are a busy lady. Does it involve shopping? Without your children. Getting advice from a leading stylist? Hair and makeup? $1000 to spend on a new look? Ok, well that is my perfect day and guess what? I had it! A couple of weeks ago, I left home bright and early leaving retro daddy to do the school run and look after everyone for the day. I met the very knowledgeable (and charming) Donny Galella at Westfield Eastgardens and my perfect day began. Donny is the resident stylist at Westfield Eastgardens and Parramatta who offers personalised style sessions, group workshops and shopping tours. He has styled celebrities such as Carson Kressley as well as lots of regular people like you and me. In other words, real bodies. That's his job and it’s a unique service you’ll find at Westfield.
just a regular day at Westfield Eastgardens
Donny had already selected some items for me based on a phone conversation we had before we met. He told me I sound like a petite pear and ladies; you know that I'm not talking about fruit...........big on the hips and bottom and smaller up top. That's me. And I think it's a pretty common body shape for us ladies. What I loved was that Donny knew his way around Westfield as if it was his home. And let me tell you, I'd be pretty happy to spend my days in a Westfield. He knew what was in the stores, what was in season (apparently this is now called on-trend, who knew), what was going to work for my body shape, the best shoes to wear to make me look tall (oh yes please) and how to accessorise an outfit.
the ‘before’ me enjoying some shopping
Now I should let you know that I'm a shopper from way back and before children I'd spend every Saturday or Sunday out at the shops, finding new clothes, makeup, jewellery or something for the house. But since having children I'm time poor. A trip to the shops now means milk and bread. I might pick up a new t-shirt or something basic that I don't need to try on. If there is a special occasion coming up I might get an hour to myself but that's it. There is definitely no time to trawl the shops and find a new outfit and even if I did there is no way I would know how to accessorise it properly or turn it into a total look. I also seem to have lost a bit of my identity and sense of body shape. Three pregnancies, four babies and the associated weight gain and weight loss in between have left me unsure of what fits and what I should be wearing. I know I'm not alone.
It's the shoes, clutch, jewellery, jacket and belt which turn it into an outfit!
This is why a stylist is so perfect; he did the hard work for me. I always thought stylists were for celebrities or people with too much money or that they would select outfits that were too expensive for me. But the greatest surprise was seeing Donny go into less expensive stores throughout the morning to complete an outfit. And another eye opener of the day, stop getting stuck in my 'safe looks'. By having a whole outfit picked out from head to toe it gave me the confidence to do it myself. The stylist will tell you how to dress up or down an outfit and give you advice throughout the session. Little things like leaving part of the trench coat open - a technique called body slicing which makes your body appear longer and leaner. I so need that technique it and it really did work.
And so did I enjoy my day? Did I ever! I look at the photos and think wow I look much more glamorous, attractive and slimmer. But don’t just take my word for it..........watch the video of my special day and transformation. Yes, that’s really me and I’m now on youtube. Oh yes I am!
The very next morning we had a kindergarten morning tea at a nice cafe and I would normally put on some safe black pants (slightly too big) and a tee or tunic top on to cover up but instead I put on a pretty wrap dress and black ballet flats and felt gorgeous. At the risk of sounding overdramatic it really has changed my life as a mummy and given me the confidence again to walk into all different types of stores, focus on what looks good on me, shop wherever I want and best of all...............every month from now on I'm leaving the kids with retro daddy and having a shopping day out at Westfield. I simply forgot how much fun it is to dress up and I definitely feel like a different person.
OK so enough about me and my makeover. Westfield is kindly giving one of my readers.....................wait for it.................a day out with me! Yes, just what you've always wanted........ to spend the day with me. Just kidding, K-I-D-D-I-N-G. But seriously, you can win a Westfield style session with Donny and yours truly (that's me) and to get you started with your new look a $1000 Westfield voucher! Yes, I will accompany you on a special styling session with Donny at Westfield Eastgardens and then we get to go shopping together. We'll shop, laugh, cry, have fun together and share your new look with my blog readers too.
This would have to by my best giveaway to date. And all you need to do is tell me why you think you need to be styled by a Westfield stylist. Be creative with your answer, you also need to live in Sydney or be willing to get yourself to Sydney to spend the day at Westfield with Donny and myself. Full terms and conditions can be found here. Also, don't forget to leave your email address in your comment so we can email the winner! Entries close in two weeks time. And if you don’t win or can’t wait to receive your own style session then find your nearest Westfield and book your own styling session with a Westfield stylist or group workshop near you. I know I’ll be booking a session with Donny towards the end of the year to help me put together some summer looks. Good luck everyone and if you have any questions about my special day or what I’m wearing just ask.............
I am so excited about this giveaway and have to say a big thank you to everyone who was involved in my special day. They made me feel relaxed and very spoilt. It was a great day!
I love Easter and Lent. And I don't just love easter because of the chocolate (although I am a huge chocoholic) but because of the traditions that I grew up with that we are now teaching to our little ones. Growing up we'd have pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, school mass for Ash Wednesday, give up something like chocolate or lollies for Lent and go to mass on Easter Sunday. Now that I'm raising my own little family we've been incorporating Good Friday mass into our easter weekend which is what retro daddy grew up with. Last year I went to stations of the cross in the morning and loved it. It just made the whole easter weekend that bit more special and meaningful.
This year as a family we have given up buying sushi from the sushi shop and sushi train and will put the money we would normally spend there (too much if you ask retro daddy) into our project compassion box for the season of Lent. I still remember having project compassion boxes in our house when I was a little girl. And if there is one tradition I am embracing it's called 40 bags for 40 days. The idea being you rid your home of a bag a day for the 40 days of Lent.
Retro daddy will surely be embracing this one too as let me tell you...........6 people no matter how big or small we are has stuff, and each person's stuff comes together to make a whole lotta stuff. My front entrance, the bookshelves, my sewing room, the wardrobes, kitchen cupboards, bedrooms, pantry and then there are the toys. And over the weekend I did 3 bags! It's up to you what you do with your bags - charity, friends, family, ebay or rubbish. You choose just get it out of your house.
And a big prayer goes out to Japan. I haven't been able to put into words how sad I am to see what has happened to such a beautiful country and it's beautiful people. It's no secret that I love Japan and it's people. I just can't believe the footage I see on tv or imagine the people affected and I just fear for the bad news that is still to come.
Well I had a $10 voucher for a large craft store burning a hole in my pocket and expiring today. I have to say large craft store because when I mention names you write in to tell me I should be shopping at little independent craft stores. Which I do but I also shop closest to home and where I can handle my 4 little ones with me. So off I went today for some embroidery threads and look what I came home with....
amongst other things of course. A sweet new baby knitting book from Patons. I keep looking at the big blue eyes of the model and imagining my little elodie wearing that sweet little outfit. It's a little raglan sleeve cream jumper (some of you might call it a sweater) with pink polka dots and little pink leggings to match. Too cute. It had to come home with me and the book is called Little Sweeties. Perfect for my own little sweetie.
However, with the number of baby knitting books I have - I'll need to have about 10 more children just to get through them. I hope my little ones grow up to have lots of babies - actually just some quick maths for you - if they had 3 children each that does give me 12 grandchildren. So there you go, no need to worry. I am sure to be one happily knitting grandma using her 30 year old knitting books. But I'll get back to raising my 4 children first before I think about grandchildren.
While the state of my craft room is a running joke in this house, my love of craft and making things does come in handy when you have 3 kindy birthday parties in one month. And even better is that I have plenty of market stock for presents. I simply pop a pretty dress into a little white bag I use for my markets and ta da, present done.
And then I cut a card from pretty cardstock and we're ready to go. Mind you I'll be totally clueless when it comes to boy birthdays but for girls we are sorted!
Love to hear what you make for birthday parties in your house!
OK, remember when I was telling you that I ordered this book. Well it arrived and I'm happy to report that it's even better in real life. Oh my goodness this is going straight to the top of my favourite craft books pile. Check it ouuuuuuuuut. Which project to start first? I also see a little trip up to Spotlight this weekend for some cloth and threads to get cracking at night time. Who cares about all of the other WIP's waiting for me. I feel a little cross stitch for my girls coming up.
I'm so nice I took pictures of my favourite projects just for you!
And it got me thinking about finding more super cute french cross stitch books........but then I realised I already have lots of cute books in my little craft library. So with a new car coming and instructions that I need to cut back my expenditure I might stick to what I have and what's on the net.........'Queen of Procrastination', anyone, anyone? That is me; be it washing, floors, tax or craft. There is always something else I'd rather be doing.
And my first project..........I think it has to be the macarons. And if you need some blog inspiration, I love this pretty blog from france here.
I know that there are more pressing issues in the world right now but I have to share with you the embarrassing purse situation I had going on. I really needed a new purse well over a year ago when the clasp broke off, then about 6 months later the zipper went and coins would fly everywhere and then about a month ago the credit card section broke and cards were flying all over my handbag every day. Add to that stickers put on there by keira and loose threads everywhere and it was looking very tired.
I can't believe I am sharing this picture with you! Embarrassing!
I recently took it to the hairdressers and plonked it down in front of me with my keys and then realised how embarrassingly old and broken it was looking and quickly put it in my lap. I mean honestly, purses do not have to cost a lot of money these days and I really don't know why I haven't bought another one. But today I decided enough was enough. Just go into a shop and get yourself a new one, woman.
And now we are in purse heaven.............and it even has pretty pink lining inside which keira will appreciate. I did have a good 5 minutes of indecision..............did I want the silver lining but that would mean getting a white wallet? Decisions, decisions but for $30 I am very happy. And $30 I could have justified a long time ago. Please tell me your purse has seen better days and that it's not just me...................
Every wednesday lunchtime I have a hot date. Yes, really I do. But don't worry, retro daddy doesn't mind. It's Zumba at 12.30 with my favourite teacher at the gym. If you haven't tried zumba yet then you need to get your little butt off to a class and it's so popular you can find them anywhere and everywhere these days.
yes we do this song and these moves each week! l-o-v-e it!
I have so much fun I need to remind myself that a) I'm at a gym and b) that I'm exercising. I sometimes think I'm at a nightclub and let me tell you the last time I was in a nightclub.................................insert the sound of crickets.......................ummmmm I'll get back to you on that. Can't remember. But don't worry the dance party ends as soon as I walk into the creche and collect my three children.
Now apparently the next craze oops I mean aerobics class coming our way is called power or body jump or as our brazilian nanny (an aerobics instructor from Brazil) tells me ' body joooomp'. This one scares me a little as I know where I'll end up.....yep right off the front of the trampoline. And I'm guessing there is a whole lot of wobbling going on with that jumping. Love to know your favourite gym class at the moment................
I'd love to share with you how the collection for Quilts for Queensland is going but I'll spare you the rather unattractive pile of parcels and shopping bags full of quilts and blocks. What is required is a day to sort, match up, bundle up ready made quilts and distribute some of the quilt tops to the nice ladies who have offered to quilt them. I will do this at the end of March so there is still time to get your blocks, quilt tops and quilts in (and you've been emailing to ask me) so keep 'em coming.
And I received a beautiful email from a lady called Sue during the week. Sue knows people affected by the floods and is going to deliver some quilts for us and take photos for me to share here. I couldn't think of anything nicer. To be able to share in the joy of the giving and receiving. And particularly as Sue's very best friend lost everything in the floods. And she is a quilter. Can you imagine? I just can't.
If you are in the same position and know where to deliver quilts please drop me an email. So of course a big thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. I really do have a mountain of parcels still to open so if you're wondering whether I've received it..........I'll get back to you. And don't forget to check out the gorgeous things on the flickr page...I'm pretty sure there are plenty of these still to be opened in my sewing room but I'll get there. Soon. Remember my new motto. I'll get there........eventually. I hope to share mosaics with you each week so we can all ohh and ahhh together.
Well another sign that I'm way too busy for my own good, charm squares that have been sitting all wrapped up in a box in my craft room. I'm too embarrassed to tell you when they arrived on my doorstep. First up is Regent St which is Liberty inspired and is the softest loveliest fabric range I've seen in a while. Perfect for hexagons, pinwheels and more classic quilts. I'm even going to earmark a pack for yo-yo hairclips. A little bit more expensive than the regular Moda charm square packs but only a couple of dollars.
Next up the latest range Modern Workshop from Oliver & S for Moda. Very different to the previous range but very modern and will make a gorgeous quilt or sewing project. I imagine a lot of white in a quilt with this one to really make the colours and designs pop.
And because I have a soft spot for anything floral, Strawberry Fields is so pretty too. Spots, tiny gingham, little flowers and strawberries. Perfect for girly girls like the ones who live at my house. All of us. Girly girls.
Half will go in the store next week and I'm taking the remaining half with me to the next Mathildas Market which is on in ahem.....2 weeks. Have I done anything. No. Do I have too much stock to take. Yes. Will I have a big car to take it all in. YOU BET! There is a lovely shiny new VW Multivan with a big sold sign on it at the dealer. Yay retro daddy, we looooove you! I'll definitely be doing a car review with lots of photos for my large family friends out there. S-P-A-C-I-O-U-S. We'll talk about parking later.
Well it's Sunday morning and normally we'd be madly scrambling to get out the door for church. But we will do church tonight. The nanny is on her way over so that retro daddy, elodie and myself can head over to the other side of the city for a little test drive. Of a people mover. At first I dismissed this car bus but the space is drawing me in...........
and as I said on my facebook page, wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall when I park it. Parking, not one of my strong points. I am definitely one of those ladies that does a little drive around to find the perfect spot to drive into. And don't ask me to reverse in. Any other bad parkers out there? Oh yes and didn't you know that will be us heading off for a weekend on our very own yacht once we get the new car bus....
Starting school has also meant more birthday party invites coming keira's way. And picking out what to wear is part of the fun since Keira has a wardrobe bursting with pretty clothes. Shopping for my little ones is my addiction.....ok one of many addictions.
um where has my smiley preschooler gone.
Today the weather was a little chilly so we picked out a new gymboree wool dress with cute ruffles and a little bit of 'bling' and pearls
silver saltwaters....love how my girl knows how to pose her feet!! We actually had little black patent party shoes ready to go but it turns out that miss keira has been growing since last winter.Who knew? So time for some new party shoes.
We accessorised with some pretty matching clips with pearls for her hair and then it was party time. And we do it all over again with a new dress next saturday afternoon.
But someone needs to have the chat with keira that the serious posing with attitude can wait until high school.
Well here is the reason I'm not ready to give up selling japanese fabric just yet......because beautiful bolts of fabric like this arrive on my doorstep. And I'm already imagining lovely cushions for my lounge that look straight out of home beautiful or a lovely home magazine.
And I'm going to do things a little differently from now on, once I have a few new fabrics together then they will all be listed in the store for a few days as bundles. This just means I can make up orders in one hit, post them off and have nothing but precuts and patterns in the store for the rest of the month.
I hope you understand but it's just one little way I can simplify things at home.
Long time, no elodie update! And what perfect timing since my parents gave me my birthday present today - a 35mm macro lens for my camera.
This little one just keeps getting cuter and cuter. There are moments where I think I'm looking at keira as a baby. She also has the same happy and easy disposition. Nothing really bothers her unless one of the twins comes up and screams in her face - she lets out this very loud scream to match theirs and starts crying but that's it. And sometimes I feel like doing that when the twins scream at me too. But miss elodie is happy, happy, happy 24/7.
You can't ask for more than that in a baby! She falls asleep in a flash, loves to hold her feet, reach out for toys on her playmat, loves cuddles and kisses and is just about the sweetest little girl you could ask for. Oh and she's chubby, I've always loved chubby bubbies and this little miss is already in the 6-12 months clothes and I must admit has a better wardrobe than I do.
And you know what else, you know what I'm going to say don't you. I look at these pictures and think that maybe in a few years time I want just one more little cutie pie. I mean it would be wrong not to have another baby this cute and adorable..............................
