Finally! *phew*

Things have indeed been quiet around here!  Or, you possibly may have heard loud screeching noises like a large cockatoo or a Velociraptor and wondered what all the noise was about......

I've been working hard on a new project that is due to be finished at the end of July next year.  It should be around 50cm long and hopefully less than 4kg.  It's taking a lot of eating and sleeping to keep this project going and creative time has flown out the window along with my breakfast (and lunch and dinner.....)

After 18 months of heartbreak, frustration, loss and disappointment we have finally been given permission to stop worrying and accept that there is a little one on board that will be joining us next year.

So, when I start feeling better in a couple of weeks (fingers crossed) you can expect that there will be a renewed sense of creativity and urgency to 'get things done.'

I can't wait.
x x x x

You suck! (not you personally)

The person who sucks is the ***hole who stole my daughters handbag on Tuesday.  While she was riding the Postman Pat ride at Eastland shopping centre some idiot stole her handbag and purse.  I guess they got what they deserved when they found nothing inside but junk (AKA 2 years old's treasure).  Serves you right for stealing a 2 year old's purse stupid person with no self respect what so ever!
*fume*  *rant*  *fume*

Where have I been?

"Hello?  Hello?"  I hear you say.

You may have noticed that life seems to be getting in the way of my creative endeavours recently. 


What have we been doing?
We went away to Phillip Island last weekend with a bunch of friends and it was awesome.  Moo loves to socialise and enjoyed the attention of 9 adults and copious amounts of bacon. (Thanks Uncle Si.)
Her busy schedule of toddler smoozing has kept me on my toes as well as tennis (yep, you heard me, I've been playing tennis), swimming and weekly dates with the cousins.  I've also been having all kinds of medical appointments to try and help us achieve our goal of a playmate for Moo. 
Next year Moo's off to preschool for 3 days a week and things will hopefully calm down for a while.  She's definately not one for staying home and being a wall flower so the only way to keep her from practicing mountain climbing on the furniture is to go out.  (Did I tell you I went to get her up from her nap and found her perched on top of the wardrobe?  Gar~)
So, to cut a long and boring story short, we've been busy doing nothing exciting and I haven't been sewing much.
I hope I will be back soon with something exciting.......    ; )

Yep, it's been pretty quiet

I started sewing up a nice jacket for Moo but that is now on the back burner until my Mum gets back.... I need assistance!  It's a bit more complicated than anything I have previously attempted.
Tonight while watching a DVD I cut out a dress for Moo - red pinny with retro Sesame street sheet applique.  I just need to wizz off to Spotlight this week and get some Vliesofix and red cotton (ran out ) so I can finish it.
And in the news front.... Moo fell over this week and bit a hole in her tongue.  GROSS!! This morning we went to vist my hubby's brother and family.  While there my SIL went into labour and we now have another girl in the family!!  Woo hoo~~  They already have two boys (3 & 1 years) so I'm so glad for the sake of her sanity that she had a little girl.  Let's hope she's quiet and retiring and not a little tear-about like our Moo! ; ) *wink*

Enjoying the quiet

Moo is asleep.  I've been planting flowers in the garden.  White, pink and purple.
The sun is shining.  The sky is blue.  There's a slight breeze.
Stupid crows are being loud and ruining my peace and quiet.
Stupid crows.

I'm keeping calm. I'm carrying on.

This week feels like I have been chasing my tail all day, every day. 
This morning's effort:
8am  Got up, bathed, dressed and fed Anni & I
Did two loads of laundry and hung them on the line
Packed Moo's bag for creche, including her lunch box, full change of clothes etc
9am  Packed all my FIL's deliveries and mail that have arrived here whilst he's been on holiday into the car.
Jumped in the car and took Moo to creche
9.30am  Went to FIL's house to sort out some stuff for his business
Got a phone call from hubby and had to go immediately to bank A, get a bank cheque and transfer funds into bank B (a 15 min drive away from bank A) so that our new car could be delivered this afternoon.
10.30am Rushed back for my doctor's appointment.  Didn't have time to come home and pick up records..... tried to remember what was on there for the doctor.......
Got accupuncture.
Went to Bunnings and picked up all the painting stuff for our bathroom.
12pm Picked up Anni and drove out to Hubby's grandad's house. Took him out for lunch.
1.30pm Drove home, unpacked the car.  Unpacked Moo's bag, washed her hands, changed her and put her to bed for her nap.
Crashed in a heap!!  And somehow, it's already 3 o'clock.....
Off to make a well earned cup of tea now.
*sigh*

You've gotta go there....

My brother's best mate's patisserie featured in The Age Newspaper's Epicure section this week.  Check it out (and other delights) here.

This is what they said......

"City in Delicious Bites
Join Allan Campion and Michele Curtis on a trip to Melbourne's finest foodie destinations. Here they choose the best........
 Le Croissant
 Probably Melbourne's best vanilla slice. Three layers of housemade puff pastry are layered with creme patisserie and topped with chocolate-feathered white fondant. Available by the slice or as a large cake."
1204 Toorak Road, Burwood. 9809 2263

You know you want to visit and get a yummy cake.  Go on.  Do it!


Andy made our wedding cake.  It was a beautiful chocolate mud cake with ganache icing - almost too good to share with the guests!  Maybe we should have gone with a vanilla slice cake????  Mmmmm, *drool*

Don't know if I atually want to see this doc or not......... *insert horrified scream here*

If you know me, you will have been ear bashed... listening to me ranting over eating local/organic and not using personal products that contain petrochemicals etc, so on and so forth, blah blah blah.
But what about all the plastic in our lives..... what about electricity and running water and plasma screens? And cars!
How far do you go and what is the price that you will pay either way? This looks like a great doc!

Today's math lesson

x ( a + b ) = GIANTmess

where
x = a full container of Johnson's baby power
a = toddler in bedroom for nap time
b =  uncanny climbing ability

Please note that the amount of mess is proportionate to the creative ability of the toddler and the amount of fluids remaining in their drinking receptacle.

Mother's happiness is said to be inversly related to such an incident.

Oh, the humanity!

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

I love this video - kind of reminds me of myself when there is cake.....

In other news, I managed to pass my driver's license test today.  Watch out folks!

Imagination

This is what happens when Moo combines her face making magnets with the inside of her fold out sofa!  I think Dora looks waaaay better like this! he he he  Not too sure why the apple has a nose though.......

Bitty booties

Couldn't decide which photo to use - flash or no flash?

I made these booties for my niece using this pattern from Heather Bailey's website. I made them out of thick polar fleece instead of felt which turns out quite well if I don't say so myself. I hope my SIL likes them.....

Op shop find

I have had a lot of luck op shopping lately. Mostly clothes for Moo which haven't really been blog worthy. A pair of brand new with tags Thai fisher pants for moi. Hurra!

However, this is my pièce de résistance and I just had to share.

I found something very similar here which leads me to believe that it is possibly circa 1940-ish. I wonder how it ended up in the op shop? Somebody lovingly kept it for all these years.... it's in such good condition. *sigh*

Now all I need is a sweet little baby to wear it........

Cooking in hotel rooms

This video is great....

It's nice to see someone else who is as crazy as me and really cooks in hotel rooms! Hubby thought I was crazy bringing my Trangia camping stove and Bodum travel coffee press (link is not quite the same model that I have) on our 6 week Europe trip . But when we had bacon and eggs and fresh coffee for breakfast he wasn't going to start complaining...... I so wanted to say, "I told you so." But I'm a good wife and so I just said, 'I told you so.' he he he

Some other things I cooked up on our travels:
Hungarian goulash
Burritos
Lots of different soups
And just as many pastas
It's amazing what you can cook up - you just have to be careful not to get busted or set off the fire alarm...... ; )

Our last holiday we actually graduated to a serviced apartment with a kitchen. It really took the fun out of it!

Sydney travel review ; )

Well, of course I can only review the things we did but here goes.....

To get there we drove our own car to Melbourne airport and left it in long term parking ($99 for 3 days) but worth every cent when you are dragging around bags and a 2 year old. We flew Virgin Blue and I have nothing but praise for their totally cheap and cheerful service. We were able to take our stroller to the gate and the staff were all very nice to Moo, engaging her in conversation and even letting her say hello to the pilots in the cockpit when we boarded! I didn't think those things happened in our post 911 world..... The onboard refreshments were fairly priced and tasty. I even got my organic fairtrade coffee - woo hoo~ Our baggage was ready as soon as we got to the baggage claim and it was just like taking a bus!

When we arrived in Sydney it was 8am on Sunday morning. (FYI it was 18 degrees when we left Melbourne and 10 when we arrived in Sydney!) A friend picked us up from the airport. (Thanks Bob!) Although I'd heard horrendous things about Sydney traffic it was plain sailing straight from the airport to Bondi. (Something to do with it being the wee hours of Sunday? Probably!)

We spent the day with our Bondi buddies, enjoying the perfect weather and the beach. I wouldn't have gone to Bondi if it weren't for Bob and Clare but I'm so glad we did. It was just lovely! Moo loved the water and we had to really hold onto her because she wanted to run into the waves (and the rip!).

In the afternoon we made our way (again by car with no probs) to where we were staying on Pitt Street. We stayed at Meriton Serviced Apartments and I highly recommend this as a place to stay if you are travelling with a young family. It is right in the middle of things so it's not far to go anywhere (we mostly went on foot). Moo had her own bedroom and we had a kitchen, 2 bathrooms and a living area. Most importantly it had a washer and dryer so we could bring limited clothing which cut down on the baggage and it also had a DVD player so we were able to bring some chillout DVDs for Moo (and us!) We were able to prepare simple meals and take Moo swimming in the hotel pool to fill in some time. It was expensive but only compared to a backpackers! It was on par with a 4-5 star hotel but without the pokey space - I just coudn't imagine what it would have been like with Moo sleeping in the evening and Hubby and I whispering to each other in the dark for a few hours.....

To get around we mostly went by foot. Sydney is quite compact (it seemed) in comparison to Melbourne so it was quite easy. The streets are all well laid out and signposted (not like many cities I have travelled to!) We also took the Monorail (awesome! Expensive but fast and convenient), the train (expensive, dirty and with a Bronx feel) and the airport shuttle bus from the hotel (I thought we were going to die but hey, I'm still here!)

Now, I couldn't have a holiday without enjoying some food, could I?
Best: Buffet breakfast at the Sofitel. What can I say but, 'Mmmmmmm.'
Worst: Lunch at the Aquarium. The usual hideously expensive food courty type food. But Moo was asleep in the pusher and we had an airport bus to catch to we ate when we could.....
Most disappointing: Cupcakes on Pitt. The icing was YUMMY but the cake was too dry for my taste.
Where we stayed there were heaps of Korean shops and restaurants so I pigged out on the usual Korean fare. Much cheaper and authentic than Melbourne. Chinatown on the other hand is much better in Melbourne in my opinion.

Sights: Bondi beach, Darling Harbour (Opera house, bridge and ferries), Sydney Tower, Aquarium.

I loved our day at Bondi. The weather was lovely, the water was a warm 18 and it was, well, perfect! The aquarium was very disappointing - Melbourne's is much newer and nicer, I think. I wouldn't bother going to Sydney Tower (the entry fee is ridiculous) but it's a nice thing to photograph from the outside. I think Darling Harbour is my favorite place (not that I've been to many places around Sydney) because I love the water, the cafes and maybe because everytime I've been there the weather has been beautiful.

I did take some pictures but am being lazy about downloading them....... Next time.....

It has more than one use...

I never thought when I bought a massaging shower head that I would be using it to 'massage' out a giant poop that Moo managed to trample into the lounge room rug....... (and Mr Potato Head and wooden bear (who had to be chucked)) *sigh*

Now I need to have a shower and use it on my neck after fulling stressing over whether to just throw the rug away or not. Why do these things always happen when your exhausted with a headache???



(And now I'm wondering what kinds of weird hits I'm going to have for people searching for weird massage shower head attachments.......!!!!!)

I like......

This Etsy seller, Sarah Jane. Have a look at her shop here.

All has been quiet on the creative front. Been busy busy busy with all kinds of things. Passed round one of my driver's license test! Part two in about a month. Watch out folks!
Off to Sydney on the weekend. It will be Moo's first time on a plane and she is very excited. She's been to the airport a few times to drop off or pick up various relatives but never been through 'the doors.' I've busily been writing lists and thinking about what to bring without having to carry too much.... mission impossible with a toddler preschooler? We'll see.
I've put together a 'busy bag' to keep her entertained while waiting to board, while flying, while travelling and catching buses and trains. After we come back from Sydney we are off to the lake to visit my folks so it will be quiet here for a little while (longer.....)
Hubby finishes up his current job this Friday and will start a new one in two weeks. Going from small business to mega corp..... crazy times!

Lost and found

Last week both I and my SIL lost rings. Hers was a diamond engagement ring. Mine a gold ring that my Mum gave me that was made for her by my Dad and doesn't fit her anymore. Both were on fingers but somehow slipped off and were gone. Both of us panicked. Both of us turned our houses upside down. One of us searched through the contents of their children's pants - just in case. One of us (both?) went through the garbage and vacuum cleaner contents.
About a week later both rings were found. One in a clothes drawer and one in the linen closet. Huge sighs of relief all around.

(Don't worry Mum, I've changed the finger that I put the ring on so it can't slip off again. Bloody winter and the curse of the shrinking fingers! Come summer I will have to rearrange again due to SFFS, othewise known as summer fat finger syndrome.)

Did you see me?

This afternoon I retrieved a ladies' Puch bicycle from my FIL's garage. She's a very dark maroon with shiny handlebars. I gave her a wash and named her Priscilla. I told her that she needed a nice basket for the front and a bell that says, 'Ting, ting.' Then I took her out for a spin.

In my head, it looked like this.......

In reality?
Well, puffy, red faced and with jeans and a cardy and less pretty hair (with helmet of course). Fun though!

Can't wait for Moo to start riding so we can go out together with a thermos of hot chocolate and a baguette. *dream*

Add this to the list.....

... party dress by Oliver + S. Here is a lovely picture of how it can look made up..... *sigh*

... so pretty.... so glad I have a little girl! (nothing against boys, they just don't usually wear pretty dresses)

* NB - cheapest found on amazon.com!

Spooky tree necklace

I've been meaning to post about this for a long time. My lovely brother- and sister-in-law gave me this lovely necklace for my last birthday. So cute (and not really that spooky).

Another favorite (but not owned... yet!) is Girl on a swing......
...... I should add that to my wish list....

See these and more gorgeous accessories by Melbourne based Geneine Honey here.

Pay no heed....

... this post is for me and in no way a hint!
I find when it comes to birthday/Christmas time and people ask me what I want I can NEVER think of anything. I end up asking for a book voucher or the like. Right this very minute I have thought of a couple of things I'd like so I'm documenting it here for (my) future reference:

Coming Home to Eat - by Jude Blereau (I have 'Wholefood' and it is one of my favorite cook books)

Anything from Jurlique

Subscription to Ottobre kids (either in Swedish or English)

IKEA voucher (not particularly exciting but I can buy myself a nice cushion or something.....)

Hand knitted socks (not with itchy scratchy wool! I'm not fussy... much!)

The Creative Family and Handmade Home both by Amanda Blake Soule

And that's it for now but I will update as I think of things. At least I'll know where to find my list - not like any of those cheeky paper lists that gets lost...... (oops)

To do list....

Arghhhh. I really haven't made any time for sewing lately. Must. do. it.
So, as inspiration (or for future shaming when I haven't done it) I am making a little list:

• lazy days skirt x 3 (the easiest, speediest and loveliest free pattern around)
  
• Simplicity 9211 jumper and pants, sundress
  
• Draft some Enid Gilchrist patterns and sew them up (I mean it this time!!)
• Amy Butler skirt for moi

I also have 4 nephew birthdays coming in October with a new niece/nephew arriving too so I need to come up with gift ideas. I think the 4, 3 and 2 year old boys will get homemade play dough (red/blue/green/yellow) with some modeling tools. The one year old? Hmmmm, still thinking about that one. The baby? I think I'll make some more bibs (remembering the lessons I learnt from the last lot I made!) and some flannels along with some nice organic baby products. Still thinking about that one.... Any ideas? It's baby #3 in 3 years for these parents so they pretty much have everything they need. Tricky. Maybe I'll just buy a gift for Mum instead - she's gonna need it! ; )

Because I NEED it!

Do you NEEEEEED it? (As my daughter loves to say in her whiniest 2 year old voice..)
Head on over to Tea Pony Little Vintage and enter the competition to win this beautiful little dress........

Oh, it's just so perfect!

You may have heard me talk about chocolate....

... and may or may not have been interested. I'm more than a little excited to have just heard that a Lindt cafe has opened up in Melbourne. It opened less than a week ago and is located on Collins street between Swanston and Elizabeth streets. Mmmmmmm. Drool.

*hint hint* Mr Husband - a perfect place to take your lovely wife as a 'surprise.'

In other chocolate cafe news, I wanted to mention the fantastic service I received at Koko Black in Doncaster a few weeks back. Moo was being a real pain so hubby and I decided to get a couple of take away hot chocolates. Cue perfect toddler behaviour and stupid parents who believed it to be true. We sat down and started to relex. Moo went wild and started jumping on the chairs and throwing sugar packets (God how I hate how cafes leave salt, pepper and sugar packets on the table!) We went to leave and Moo knocked my hot chocolate onto the floor (that I hadn't even started to drink) causing it to explode like a chocolate volcano. Cue red hot face and mother rage.
The lovely waitress rushed over and checked that both Moo and I were alright. Then she talked nicely to Moo, cleaned up our horrid mess and came back with a replacement hot chocolate on the house. I left with a red face but a warm heart. It's not always you get good service - smile included gratis. Kudos to you Koko Black.
Can the Lindt cafe beat that?

On the up!

I went back to the doctors and swapped antibiotics because the first lot wasn't doing diddly squat. I have a lovely case of suspected 'walking pneumonia' which doesn't respond to the kind of drugs I got the first time. A blood test will confirm the diagnosis but all I can say is 'WOO HOO' the new meds are working a treat and I'm starting to feel like myself again after 2 whole weeks in bed!!
It's made me so thankful that most of the time I am really quite healthy. Yay!

Brain fuzz

I feel like I'm finally coming out the other side of this horrible 2 week (so far) lurgy. I wanted to post but my brain is still fuzzy so here is a random selection of pics. No real theme. Kind of like my thoughts.....

Our little Swiss Miss at the Cuckoo.

Blowing out birthday candles!

Oppy find. A whole dollar! Still in the original packet.

My favourite hard rubbish find. I'm thinking of re-covering it. The daisy pattern is from about 1994 - I loved it at the time but not so much now. Time for an update methinkeths.
I picked up another great find from the side of the road last week but you'll have to wait until I take a photo...... Let's just say, it's big, it's red and wasn't easy to wash in our bathtub..... Can you guess?

The letter

Last week we got a letter. I looked at the sender and saw it was from the preschool where we tried to enrol Moo. My stomach flipped. It was just like getting my exam results in the mail! I was afraid to open it....... and considered asking my hubby to do it. Then I could see the text through the envelope.... I peeked..... it said..... ' We are pleased...!' ~~PHEW~~ Big sigh of relief.
So, Moo is starting school in January, three days a week for three hours each time. I am soooo happy! She loved the school when we visited and no where else has these kind of hours for kids her age. Plus, all the other preschools won't accept her until April 28 because she doesn't turn three until then (but we would still be expected to pay fees).
Now all I have to do is get my license because it's impossible to walk there and back three times a week (over an hour walk each way is my guess). I'm booked in for September so I've got to practice, practice, practive.
Yay!

Wintry Holiday pics

I've been really sick for a couple of weeks. *blah* But, we went on holiday (despite lack of motivation) for a few days (at my parents lake retreat ; ) I borrowed my Dad's camera and took poor Moo out for a walk. She's been house bound with her poor feeble sick mother.......

And here's the sunshine!

Oooo, and one more!

Jade, Moo, Pa and Jade's big brother Eric.
Moo's loving Jade. 'You're beautiful,' she says to her and kisses her gently. So cute.

Welcome, Jade!

My freshly baked little niece, Jade Lee. She's about 30 mins old in these pics.....

Not so sure how Mamma managed to deliver a 3.44kg (7lb 9ozs) babe so fast..... good luck to her!

Oh, loveliness.

I got a phone call this morning at 6 am from my brother saying his wife 'thought' it was time and I should meet them at the hospital for back rubbing and midwife calling duty. (Last time I had to run out and find a midwife because the baby was crowning and there was no one in sight! First time Mum and an hour in, I guess they thought they had some time......) I got there at 6.30 and little Jade had already arrived! A sweet little bundle of joy. Good thing they live literally 5 mins away from The Mercy or my brother might have been in for more than he bargained for!
I'm soooooooooo excited!!!!!

Pics to follow......

This looks like fun

Recycling goodness.....

We are definitely lacking in storage in this house. The one thing we don't have a lack of is used newspapers. Besides, I'm not a fan of plastic. 'The Australian' and 'The Age' would be the perfect size for making these baskets methinkeths. I like the idea someone added about using spray lacquer to seal. You don't want newsprint on anything..... and I think I might just skip the bow - a little too flouncy for moi. Ooooo, and you could maybe make it using some cool wrapping paper - perhaps the cheap but cool stuff from our favorite conglomerate, IKEA.

Find the instructions here.

Fun and games

Moo makes 'a snate.' (That's snake to you and I)

I thought I would share our play dough recipe with you. Previously when I've made it there has been way too much (in volume) so here is a version that is just enough for one (plus mummy).


1 cup of plain flour (I buy cheap flour especially for this purpose)
1/4 cup of salt
1 tblsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp oil
1 cup of hot water
For this lot we also used: green food dye (1 tsp), coconut essence (1 tsp) and green glitter. You can't see the sparkles in the photos but trust me, it's got sparkly goodness!

Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl.
Mix the wet ingredients in another, making sure the salt dissolves completely.
Pour the wet mix into the dry in a microwave safe bowl and give it a good stir until it is blended. Cook in the microwave on high for 30 secs.
Stir.
Cook for a further 30 secs. Stir.
(Repeat until the dough is cooked through.)
Please take care when removing the play dough because it will be hot!
Give it a bit of a knead and wait for it too cool down before giving to your little one to play with.

** update** The next time I used this recipe the dough was not 'cooked' enough after 1 min in the microwave. The mixture starts off very sloppy and thickens when it's cooked. Keep cooking the dough until it is translucent and thickened. If you take it out before it's done it is way too sticky and gooey.

Last time we used red food dye and strawberry essence which made a lovely 'bubble gum' play dough. : )
I'm wondering what 'flavours' we will do next. I have found recipes for chocolate and also edible play dough (providing your child isn't allergic to nuts!) Now I just have to wait for our 'suntan lotion' play dough to expire.

I spy..... if I could create anything.....

.... now that's a hard one!!!

Should I go for something like a peace maker, a famine solver or a rain maker? Hmmmm *thinking*
I'm gonna say that if I could invent anything it would be the cure for cancer.

I think we have all been touched by cancer at some time in our lives.
A friend. A parent. A loved one.
My Aunt lost her battle with a brain tumor last year and God knows I wish she was still here.
My MIL and another Aunt are currently fighting breast cancer.
The list could go on and on......
Seriously, there are people out there who have a lot more expertise than me on inventing the cure for cancer. You can donate money here at the Cancer Council Australia and it might just help a clever scientist do what I can't.

This weeks theme comes from Cindy via Amanda at L-plates.

As promised - hats!

I finally charged the batteries for my camera and took a photo of the hat I made for Moo on the knitting loom. I have also just completed a grey one for hubby (sorry about the blurry pic) which was done in a couple of hours in front of my evening TV fix of Masterchef.
I'm totally in love with how easy it is to 'knit' on the loom. I have a severe problem with tension when I try to knit with needles - in more ways than one.
The adult sized hat was made on a 36 peg loom and the child's hat on a 31 peg loom. Instructions for making the hats were found on Youtube as the instructions that came with the loom looked like they had been translated from English to Chinese and then back again..... *grrrrrr*

Unfortunately, I didn't knit the ladybird hat Moo is wearing in the photo below. It was found at Paynesville market by my Mum and was a birthday present. I just had to share it because it is soooooo cute. Moo's cardy was an oppy find (Bairnsdale) and was brand new. I paid a grand sum of $5 for this lovely Nanna knit! Woo hoo~

And just because I lurve ladybirds...... the stickers off our apples! : )

More karoke

After the post on my favorite Korean karaoke song I saw Bret from Flight of the Conchords singing a Korean song. Nearly wet my pants with laughter! (And, yes, he is actually singing in Korean and the translation, although a bit weird is literal and not made up!)



God I love those guys!

Just a little friendly advice......

Before you go running to the ER because your wee is red/pink you might want to think about what you ate in the hours prior......
Whole packet of beetroot chips?
That'll do it.
Medical emergency averted : ) D'oh!

NB - I have a family history of kidney disease so although it might seem a bit hypochondriac like, it isn't in the realm of impossibility.......

Crafty stuff

Awesome knitting by pes.de.pato and not me : (

Last Christmas my Mum gave me a set of round looms. I finally got them out last week and the instructions were, to put it frankly, quite shite. So, I turned to good ol' trusty Youtube and found some great instructional videos but they don't allow me to embed them. I knitted a cute little hat for Moo and it was soooooo easy - even for one who doesn't knit.
Yay! I actually 'knitted' something. Now it's time to 'knit' a hat for hubby! So proud of myself that I am considering trying some real knitting again...... but don't hold your breath! (Just what I need, another addiction to spend money on.)

(My camera battery is flat so I will add a photo of my first handmade hat a little later.)

Eye Spy...... a scar

Oooo, what an interesting theme by Fuzzy Dragons!

It's been a while since I've compared scars - we used to do it all the time as kids.... (weird?)

My favorite scar is one on my left knuckle in the shape of an upside down V - where I accidentally cut my hands with a pair of safety(!?) scissors in the 2nd grade. Then there's the 'haven't slept in more than a few hours in a few days and cleaned the hand blender without unplugging it' scar. I don't recommend making baby food when your baby hasn't let you sleep. Dangerous stuff! That was a particularly nasty one......
Several knives have left their mark (I love to cook) and I used to partake in a little stained glass action - glass is sharp too. Really sharp.....
There's the scar on my hip from falling off my bike as a teenager, there's the scar on my chin from having a mole removed and the vampire bite scar on my calf. (Actually it was a dog that bit me but it sooooo looks like I met vampire who confused my kneck for my knee.)
Oooo, and there was the incident of Cup Day 2005 that involved a very sharp box cutter and a phone call to my Dad inquiring about the point at which one might need stitches..... I'm starting to think this post is making me sound clumsy!
But, my most loved and most hated scar is where my daughter left my body. She marked me and I love that but it just ain't pretty. And, it reminds me of things that I'd rather forget. How she came into the world in a way that I didn't want. I have to be grateful for that scar though because without it she (and I) might not be here right now to whine about it.

Maybe you noticed a break in transmission? I've had the flu for the past few days so there was no venturing outside looking for something in bloom. (The alternative Eye spy topic for this week).

(PS, I don't have swine flu. Only the boring regular kind - the only pig around here is me! Mmmmm chocolate. The cure for all that ails ya!)

Thanks Cindy for hosting!

Eye spy...... a morning ritual.

This week's theme comes from 3 Red Buttons.

Well, there are no photos of our morning ritual..... rushing often abounds and really, you don't want to see my in my PJs with my bedhair and crusty features.......

Usually, we do the normal getting dressed, eating breakfast thing. But Thursdays do have their own special ritual. It's pancake day! Every Thursday I get up and make pancakes and we sit down as a family to eat breakfast. Instead of me running around, Moo runs around in circles screaming, 'PANCAKES~~~ PANCAKES~~~' Hubby works from home that day so it's a nice relaxed brekky. After breakfast it's time for running around - getting Moo ready for creche. I leave 30 mins before start time because Moo needs plenty of time to walk the 50m. We have to say hello to every dog, cat and neighbour, pick some flowers, collect some autumn leaves and perform other random toddler actions. Thursday is my favorite day - pancakes and sacred 'Mummy alone' time.......

photo by roosterruler

If you'd like to join in head on over and visit Cindy at bugandpop.

Well, I'd better run. Tonight the out-laws are coming over for dinner and I need to;

• fold some of the washing that is making an obstacle course of our dining room
• excavate the sofa
• scrape unidentified sticky goo off the floor
• cook something

More cheering!

I know I keep going on about it but I just had to share the news that Mike's art will be gracing the credits of this week's Sunday Arts program on the ABC. Obviously, it will be on this Sunday - 5pm on ABC1 or 7:30 on ABC2 if you missed it the first time. Go Mike! GO!~

Eye spy....... my Karoke song

In the true spirit of Karoke, here is a lovely Korean tune with the required high pitched singing....



In Korea there is a 'norae-bang' (lit. song room/Karoke) on every street corner. You get your own little room so it's not quite as embarrassing as singing in front of a bunch of complete strangers. Just you and your other drunk friends....... If you want to live for any time at all in Korea you will NEED to sing Karoke as it's a huge social activity. But be careful - you may get addicted!
Whenever my friend B and I used to feel stressed out/bored we would go down to our local and get down to the following......



and



Thanks to bugandpop for hosting and Tis Rhubarb for this weeks delightful theme.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~~~~~``

I heard the 80's are making a come back. Oh God no!

Wanna laugh? Head on over to AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com.

I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!

Totoro hat from Hello Yarn. Now I really do have to learn how to knit....

Finally! Actual craftiness.

I finally got around to making the monkey laundry bag from Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones.
As usual, the pattern was absolutely easy to follow with clear instructions. I didn't end up making the draw ties as per the pattern because I wanted it to hang down a fair way and I just wasn't in the mood for cutting and sewing fabric..... I just used some bias tape I had lying around. Maybe, one day, if I can be bothered (!) I will make the original ties.....
The fabric is a 70's sheet oppy find and the rest are scraps I got from Mum. The yellow lining is an oppy table cloth. Buttons off an old shirt. Totally recycled!

Above: close up
Below an 'In situ' shot

Our next creative venture was the bunting for Moo's birthday party a few weeks ago. On her birthday morning it was pouring with rain so together we painted A4 sheets of computer paper. (I highly recommend Crayola washable finger paint - it actually washes out. Revelation!) We sprinkled glitter on some of the paintings while they were wet so they were sparkly too.

After the paint was dry I cut the A4 sheets into triangles and sewed them together on the sewing machine. An idea which I think came from Maya-made's snowflake garland. Totally easy to make and very effective. All our party guests commented on how lovely they looked.

Can you guess which ones I painted and which ones Moo did?

And finally, Moo and Grandad got creative and put up some trellis on the deck - to stop small children falling great distances when they are being adventurous.....

Hooray for craftiness!
I sure hope I can fit some more in shortly......