Little Starfish

Back after a long break

2009-05-05T15:49:00.004+09:30

It has been so long since I last wrote (the last post was in summer, and is now decidedly chilly!) that I feel a bit awkward about starting again, but better late than never. Somehow ordinary life with the two boys just got a bit too busy. I've been job hunting too and have just started a new job part time. So far it is hectic but really rewarding.

Sadly I haven't even got lots of creative things to show for the break, although it was very satisfying to have the book I was working on last year finally published and launched:

At the moment there is a national consultation going on about whether Australia should adopt a legislative bill of rights, and our book aims to give some background to this and examines the bills of rights now operating in the ACT and Victoria. There is still time to have your say in the national process if you are interested - the website is here. It probably won't surprise anyone to learn that I am in favour of greater protection of human rights, although more along the lines of the UK Human Rights Act rather than the American bill of rights.

Anyway, enough of work already! Thomas and Owen are doing very well. Here are some recent photos. As you can see Thomas' train obsession continues unabated and Owen's cheeks are as chubby as ever. I'll sign off now so I can go and catch up on all my favourite blogs. I promise to post again soon and to have a bit more to show and tell. Cheerio!

Hot Summer days

2009-02-02T21:27:00.006+10:30

I have been having fun dabbling with making glass tile pendants. My lovely husband bought me the materials for Christmas (with a bit of prompting), and these are my first attempts. Super easy and effective, especially with beautiful washi paper. There is a great tutorial here and lots of suppliers of glass tiles, aanraku bails and diamond glaze on Etsy.

Lucky that these are so quick to make, as the boys are pretty demanding at the moment. It has been incredibly hot here, which is wearing all of us out, but there have been lots of lovely moments, and we have been enjoying simple outings like going to the pool or the park. I love this picture of Thomas in the park on Australia day.

Owen has now started smiling and cooing which is such a joy - it is quite beautiful to see his happy little personality emerging, and our relationship with him changing to a two-way interaction. He certainly loves feeding and is right on the edge of the chart for all his measurements, those cheeks just keep getting bigger!

Thomas is currently obsessed with Thomas the tank engine - here are both boys mesmerised by our sole dvd which is getting a workout lately. Thomas got two small wooden trains for Christmas, which came with a catalogue of all the others - very clever marketing. Thomas is constantly poring over it and has memorised the names and details of all the trains. He even wakes up talking about them and listing the ones he has yet to collect. I always thought I would try to resist this type of wanton consumerism with my kids, but it is quite insidious, and I confess I have been spending many of those precious quiet moments scouring ebay for second-hand trains, when I'm not setting up the tracks again, ready to be destroyed in the next play session!

I keep thinking how much Owen reminds me of Thomas at the same age, and I was looking through the old photos - this is Owen on the left and Thomas on the right, sharing the same suit. Pretty similar huh!

I'm off to bed now to get a couple of hours sleep before the next feed. I've really been missing reading all my favourite blogs - sorry I've been missing in action. Fingers crossed we might get some nap time tomorrow.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-05T12:21:00.004+10:30

I can hardly believe it is 2009 already! This year has flown by. Christmas arrived much quicker than expected (as always!) and I only managed one creative present, a patchwork name for a friend's new little girl and a matching one for her older sister.

I enjoyed thinking it up and seeing it through to completion - I've hardly made anything lately and had almost forgotten how satisfying it is. I appliqued letters using fusible webbing, sewed the centre to a patchwork border, added batting behind it and covered a basic photo frame with it (removing the glass), with the raw edges tucked inside behind the backing board, so it is ready to hang.

I liked the patchwork so much as I was making it for the borders that it was hard to cut it up, but I still have a strip left, which I might use in a cushion.

Thomas and I also made tons of Christmas biscuits, much to his delight. I did the icing and he applied the decorations, although he ate a lot more than ended up on the biscuits!

We had a lovely Christmas with the boys and our family. Now that Thomas is old enough to have some idea about what is going on, it adds a lot of joy and excitement to the day.

He was so thrilled to recieve this cute rocking horse handmade by his wonderful uncle. Little wooden trains were also a huge hit, and he is still playing with them endlessly.

Owen had no idea what this Christmas malarky was all about, but loved all the cuddles and put up with this shameless exploitation with pretty good grace!

We stayed with my parents in Sydney afterwards for a few days, and Owen met lots of friends and relatives. Luckily he only projectile vomited once (this is a particular talent of his), and only on me.

Thomas enjoyed meeting up with old and new friends, and all the love and attention showered on him by his doting grandparents.

We then had a few days in the Southern Highlands, a beautiful relaxing time which ended far too soon. Here is Thomas on the Illawarra Treetop walk. He keeps asking when we can go back to Bowral.

Hopefully I'll manage another post before Christmas comes around again. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break and best wishes for a brilliant 2009.

Another wonderful surprise in the mail

2008-12-01T13:33:00.004+10:30

Look what arrived in the mail for us today - such a beautiful little outfit for Owen from the talented Lily. A gorgeous set of handmade pants and appliqued onesie with the cutest robots on lovely linen fabric. Here is our chunky little lad modeling it.

A perfect fit (and some room for his stubby little legs to grow!) Thanks so much Lily, it made our day!

Thomas and I made baby cupcakes this afternoon, and a lot disappeared into his mouth in the process of icing them. It was good to spend some one on one time with him while Owen slept. Thomas is still being very good about the total upheaval of his little world, although sometimes he can be too enthusiastic in his appreciation of Owen, so we have to keep a close eye on their interaction.

I am still in that hazy baby-bubble time of constant breastfeeding and sleep deprivation, with Owen insatiably hungry and waking for a feed at least every two hours through the night. He often takes an hour to feed, then naps for an hour or less (often sleeping on me on the couch because I don't have the energy to persevere with settling him back in the cot) before it starts all over again. We have resorted to topping him up with the occasional bottle of formula to try and lengthen the sleeps, and so that Warren can share the load. I feel guilty about it, because I know exclusive breast feeding is best, and it is not like he is fading away (just check out those cheeks!), but it does seem to help him sleep, which is all that matters at 4am when things can feel pretty desperate and lonely. I know we went through all this with Thomas, and am looking forward to it settling down into some kind of reasonable routine soon. Fingers crossed!

Then there were two

2008-11-19T15:06:00.002+10:30

The first three weeks have just flown by with the two boys keeping us all very busy. Thomas is still being very good and wants to do everything with Owen. I think they will be great playmates when Owen gets bigger.

This has been the first week when I've been home alone with the boys now that Warren is back at work and my parents have gone back to Sydney. Thomas is still going to childcare three days a week, so those days are quite calm, and it has been good to have a chance to get to bond a bit more with Owen. Having the two of them together on the other days is pretty hectic - I'm hoping that they might fall into a routine of sleeping at the same time, but that may be wishful thinking!

Owen has just woken again, so I think that is the end of blogging for the evening.

Back soon!

The most beautiful present

2008-11-06T15:55:00.002+10:30

Sorry it has taken me so long to post this - I was just so thrilled to recieve this gorgeous vest for Owen from the wonderful Aimee at Mamie Knits Bits.

It is so beautifully made, and the yarn is incredibly soft - I wish I could wear it! I love the card too, and all the love and care that went into knitting this - we will really treasure it.

Owen seemed to enjoy modelling it, which is amazing as he usually hates getting dressed. It is a little roomy on him now of course, but will be just perfect as the weather gets cooler.

Thanks so much Ames, you're the best!

Introducing Owen

2008-11-02T18:54:00.004+10:30

Our little one Owen arrived on 29th October at 4.45pm, weighing 3.985kgs or 8 pounds 13 ounces. It wasn't possible to proceed with an induction, so he was born by caesarian section, but it was a very different experience from Thomas as Owen was able to have a cuddle with me straight away and was breastfeeding an hour later, which was just wonderful.

Thomas loves his new baby brother and is very proud. We have just got home from the hospital. Lots more to say very soon. The most absolutely gorgeous present from Aimee has just arrived and I can't wait to show everyone, but need to get some sleep now!

Only two days to go!

2008-10-26T20:15:00.007+10:30

We have been scheduled for an induction this Wednesday morning, at 38 weeks. It has all happened pretty suddenly, but the obstetrician is worried about the increasing risk of another abruption. So Wednesday it is! I think there is quite a strong chance it may end up as a caesarian again, as they can only induce if my body is getting ready, and they may have difficulty monitoring the bub's heartbeat, which is still irregular, but we'll just have to see how it goes. I am excited and anxious (well terrified actually!) not knowing what to expect, but so looking forward to meeting our next little one. It would be wonderful if labor started naturally in the next day or so, but all the wise mums I meet keep telling me that I look like I'm still 'carrying very high' so I think it is unlikely.

I am worried about how Thomas will cope with me being away in hospital - I've never had a night apart from him since he came home, and he is quite clingy at the moment, but Warren and my dad will be here to spoil him, and will bring him in every day. Sadly my mum will still be overseas, but will be back about a week after the bub arrives. We have been trying to prepare Thomas for the arrival of his little sibling, but it is hard to know how much he is taking in. He has been talking a lot about the baby, and showing interest in all the nesting I've been doing, getting those tiny baby clothes washed and ready.

We have had a nice weekend giving him lots of attention, and went to the airport open day today, where he got to sit in a small plane, and walk around big planes, and watch an aerial display by an F11 hornet. He was very good about putting in earplugs because it was so noisy, and has been talking about the air show all afternoon.

I like this photo - Warren looks like he has a pregnancy belly in sympathy. Of course he is really as fit and lean as ever, while I am eating enough chocolate for all of us!

Fingers crossed my next post will be all about the happy arrival.

Happy 2nd Birthday Thomas!

2008-10-09T18:31:00.006+10:30

We had a little birthday party for Thomas at a local park on the weekend. My mum and dad came from Sydney which made it very special, and we had some of his little friends from mother's group.

We didn't manage to get much of a video, but these few seconds are very cute.

Here is the cake - it was a bit dodgy, but Thomas was thrilled with it, which was very gratifying.

His present from us was a toy oven, as he loves the ones at childcare. Warren and my dad did a fabulous job of assembling it, many hours in the garage, but he has been playing with it ever since. I'm hoping we have a little chef in the making.

We also made some cupcakes to share with his friends at childcare - I think Thomas will start expecting cakes and singing every day now!

Finally just a shot from floriade, which is always a lovely event in Canberra. Here is Thomas with some of his little friends.

On the pregnancy front, we had another scan this week and the heartbeat is still a bit irregular. The baby is getting very big, they estimate already 3.5kgs, but I've heard that they can get this wrong, so am trying not to get too alarmed. The doctors are recommending an early induction though, probably at 37 weeks, which is only a couple of weeks away - of course we are still nowhere near ready! I've got another appointment next week, so hopefully we will know more then.

A close call

2008-09-30T21:23:00.004+09:30

We had a scary day yesterday - it started out normally, with a home visit from my lovely midwife. Everything was normal until we got to the doppler ultrasound of the heartbeat, which was very unusual, out of rhythm - a strange irregular three beat sound rather than the normal two beats I'd heard so many times before.

The midwife still wasn't too worried, but suggested that I go into the hospital to have it checked out, so Thomas and I drove in there, and we went into one of the delivery suites to be strapped up to the heart monitor. From there things got scary very quickly, the baby's heartbeat was reading as being very slow, something called brachycardia, and the registrar came in and suddenly I was being prepared for an emergency caesar. This was awfully familiar, as it was also week 34 when I had the caesar with Thomas after an abruption, so I knew all the routine of putting in canulas and drips, the gown and strange socks and signing the consent forms etc.

Poor Thomas had no idea what was going on but was extremely good, and just played quietly while all this was happening until Warren arrived.

Anyway, just when we thought it was all happening, they decided to confirm the problem with the more sophisticated ultrasound in the fetal medicine unit, which showed that the baby's heartbeat was arrhythmic but not as slow as it was reading upstairs. All very confusing to me. So all of a sudden everyone relaxed, and said we could go home, just come back for a scan next week.

Very strange indeed to come so close to another emergency premmie delivery, being treated like an invalid, and then to be getting dressed and driving home again minutes later! Of course we were hugely relieved not to be having the baby early, knowing how stressful it is to have a baby struggling in those early days in the NICU.

So now we're back home, just keeping an anxious eye on those foetal movements, but hoping everything will get back to normal and it will go to term.

So back to life as usual - it is Thomas' second birthday this weekend, so I am now madly planning a bananas in pyjamas cake, food and decorations. Hoping for some more good weather - it has been lovely here lately. Here is Thomas at the animal nursery at Floriade - we got there late in the afternoon and had it almost all to ourselves.

Thanks for the very helpful comments about the courses, I'm still pondering, but will have to make a decision before the end of October.

Lots of thinking, not much else!

2008-09-22T18:50:00.003+09:30

Another unintended blogging break. Sorry I have been out of touch - the pregnancy is going pretty well (33 weeks now I think), baby is exceptionally active, but I have been getting bad back pain every evening which has slowed me down, I think because I have become so enormous in every dimension - no cute designer bump here!

My only creative activity lately has been slowly working on my knitted asymetric vest, which is coming along, but still has 3 balls left to go. I've still got a few more weeks at work, and have been a bit frantic trying to tie up many many loose ends there.

The impending arrival has brought on lots of thinking about the future, and what I will do when my maternity leave finishes. My contract at the uni comes to an end pretty much at the same time. I am really, really longing to do something more creative as a career rather than just in my spare time (which there won't be much of at all, once bub 2 arrives). I've always wanted to go back to art school and study art or graphic design. I wish I'd paid more attention to my misgivings which surfaced fairly early in law school, but instead I went on to finish an honours degree, and just kept going after that.

Financially, and with two little ones, it won't be an option to study full time, so I've been researching part time and correspondence courses. Unfortunately the options are pretty limited in Canberra. Now I'm tossing up between a graphic design degree program by distance education through Charles Sturt Uni which would take 6 years part time (help - I'll be 40!) or a commercial correspondence course in desktop publishing (using InDesign) which is only 6 months but is not accredited. Hard decisions to make - perhaps it is crazy to be thinking of taking on something like this right now, but having another baby has made me feel like if I don't do something soon, it might never happen.

Meanwhile, Thomas is becoming more of a little person every day, and constantly delights me - learning new words and concepts all the time. He talks a lot about himself in the third person now, which is quite funny. His favourite phrase is 'Tommy do it' (often followed by 'oh, bit hard, mummy do it?') and he tells himself to 'try again' or says 'good boy Thomas!' We have been telling him about the baby in my tummy, and the other day he was asking about it and said 'baby - mummy pouch - kangaroo?' It must be very confusing for him!

Here he is at a little friend's birthday party, sporting a birthday cake moustache and his new very short first haircut. I think it will look better in a few weeks! His 2nd birthday is coming up in early October, and he is very interested in cakes and candles - I think he will love it this time around.

And here he is with the most beautiful hand knitted jumper and hat which arrived in the post from my mum.

That's all from me, off to lie down again and think some more - hope everyone is well in blogland.

Dabbling with dyes

2008-08-10T15:45:00.005+09:30

Yesterday Warren looked after Thomas to give me a whole day off to go to the craft and quilt fair - what bliss! So wonderful to be able to browse and learn and absorb the creativity without trying to keep a little one happy.

I went to workshops on all sorts of random things, like making circles in patchwork, stained glass applique, dyeing lace and even picture framing. I also saw the beautiful Canberra quilts exhibition which is always really inspiring - sadly I'd forgotten my camera. There was a spectacular quilt there with an incredibly intricate persian pattern that had taken something like 17,000 hours to finish, and was a true masterpiece - wish I'd had a photo of that one.

I did make a completely unintended and indulgently extravagant purchase of some Noro silk garden yarn to make a shawl/vest after wandering into one workshop on knitwear, where an very elegant older woman was modeling the most gorgeous handknitted garments. I'm not quite sure about my colour choice, it seems to have more mustardy yellow in the blend now that I've got it home, but I'm sure it will be lovely anyway.

I had been thinking about doing some yarn dyeing experiments for a while, as I can never seem to find colours I like (apart from the beautiful expensive hand dyes), so inspired by all this creativity and the various kool-aid dyeing tutorials on the web, I also had a quick go today at dyeing some yarn just with ordinary food colouring and vinegar, as food colour is really the active ingredient in kool aid, and easier to blend this way.

I started with some jars half full of water and a splash of vinegar, then added a few drops of Queen brand food colours, mixing some together. I had the small packet of four colours, plus a rose pink. I also had some old ivory/brown coloured wilton colour. The yarn is a cream merino crepe from Lincraft (100% wool).

I plonked a mini skein of yarn in each one, covered with glad wrap (don't forget this step or you will have dye all over the microwave - trust me!) and then in the microwave for 2 mins off, two minutes on until the dye was absorbed -two zaps each with two jars in at a time.

You can see how the water goes clear once the dye is absorbed. Then you gently rinse in hot water (avoiding shocking the yarn with a sudden change of temperature) then wash in wool wash. I was surprised how little dye came out at this stage - the colour is very colour fast.

Here are the final colours. Pretty bright and garish, but they could be a lot more subtle with less dye (or more wool) and some more judicious blending. You can see on the pink shades how more or less of the same colour comes out very differently. The candy pink was just one drop, and the darker cherry red/pink was a few drops.

The next thing I'd like to try is some variegated blends. Some of these actually have some nice mottling, because I didn't soak the wool beforehand for very long - I like this look.

So there you go, all done in about half an hour - and lots of fun!

Not happy mummy

2008-08-04T21:37:00.002+09:30

Poor Thomas is having a rough time with a bad cold, a fever that comes and goes and all his molars coming through at once. We went with Warren to the snow again on the weekend, just for a change of scene, and stayed with some wonderful friends, but Thomas wasn't well enough to venture out, so we just cuddled up on the couch most of the day watching his dvds. I can now recite all the adventures of Maisy and Bananas in pyjamas by heart (a very useful skill, I'm sure you'd agree).

He has been rejecting his bottle because it seems to hurt his mouth and it has been an anxious struggle getting fluids into him, but the doctor is not too worried, and I hope he might finally be on the mend.

The snow has been great after a slow start, and Warren has been making the most of it, doing lots of cross country racing.

We drove back through a snow shower, and stopped so I could take this photo looking back.

This was a pine tree I spotted while we were filling up with petrol on the way home, I love all the twisty intertwined branches, it reminded me of a Japanese stencil design.

Craft wise I am still plotting quilts, but waiting on an elusive delivery of back-ordered fabric (the downside of my online shopping addiction) before I can really get started. In the meantime I've finally taught myself to crochet in the round, and have been experimenting with flowers and granny squares using leftover yarns. I'm excited to have mastered the technique, but my early attempts at colour combinations have been surprisingly and disappointingly hideous, so I won't inflict them on you yet.

Spending long days at home with Thomas I have been doing lots of thinking about getting my craft space more organised, and generally freshening up our living area, which has been the same dark colours for years and is starting to get me down. I have lots of ideas but not a lot of energy and no money to splash around, but I think it would lift my mood just to start in a small way, perhaps just clearing up the endless clutter here.

Hope you are all having a better week.

Winter is here

2008-07-21T12:13:00.004+09:30

Sorry for the unintended blogging break, winter has arrived here and the time has just slipped away.

We took Thomas to the snow last weekend and tried out his new European style sled, a lovely Christmas present from my uncle. Thomas was hard to miss in his charming 8o's ski suit, which we bought in a community sale. He loved the sled of course.

Warren and I loved it too. It is the closest to downhill thrills I am going to get this winter - I've decided that skiing is just a bit too risky in my whale-like state.

I have been spending most of Thomas' nap times working lately, and have not had time for any crafting, but I have been doing a lot of daydreaming about quilting, and did find some time to research some online fabric sites. It seems easy to justify the occasional purchase when the exchange rate is so favourable and prices are about a quarter of the cost of fabrics in our local shops. My favourites so far have been Hancocks at Paducah, for their range and specials, QuiltHome for a great variety of older Kaffe Fassett and Amy Butler fabrics hard to find elsewhere, and their design board which allows you to play with colour combinations, and Quilters warehouse, for $1.99 fat quarters.

My problem with quilting is that my ambitions and ideas tend to outstrip my patience for actually cutting piecing it all together, let alone the binding and quilting parts. I already have so many projects in mind, like a batik kaleidoscope quilt, a wonky log cabin wallhanging, cot quilts for friends babies and something with appliqued butterflies. I think I'd better get started while the enthusiasm lasts!

First school photos

2008-06-28T11:22:00.002+09:30

Well, not school really, but these are Thomas' first official photos from childcare.

I think we'll have to order copies for the Grandparents.

And here is a slightly less formal photo taken this morning in his jammies, when he decided that he wanted to walk in Daddy's shoes.

Nothing else to show I'm afraid, it has been very busy at work, and Thomas has been teething (finally getting some molars) so we haven't been getting much sleep. So hard to get up in the middle of the night when it is freezing - I guess I'd better get used to it again! Still, I'm glad its the weekend, and nice and sunny, and I've sent my last book chapter off to the reviewers for work, so I can relax for a little while.

We had our 20 week scan, and all is very well with sprog no 2. I found out the sex of the bub, but am sworn to absolute secrecy because Warren doesn't want to know yet. I have a feeling this will be a very hard secret to keep, I'm already bursting to tell him, but will have to restrain myself. I'm now feeling lots of kicking and moving around, which is a very lovely part of pregnancy, and makes it feel much more real.

I'm getting very interested in quilting again but will have to finish off the long standing work in progress (oh dear that was over a year ago!) before I can justify buying any more fabric. Perhaps we could just have a little browse at the fabric shop this weekend though!

This little piggy...

2008-06-15T12:25:00.006+09:30

... is finally finished! After a long search I found the joints and snapped him together so he has moveable arms and legs. I have to confess there was some (ok lots of) swearing involved at certain points, they were much trickier than I thought to put in, trying to snap them together through two layers of knitting.

This means that he can sit down when he gets a bit tired. He has very odd little bowed legs, and his top looks like it has shrunk in the wash, but does have a certain rakish charm.

The back view with his tail poking through a hole in the pants.

He is from a pattern in this women's weekly craft book - I recommend it if you can find it, as it has a lot of nice things, even though the knitting patterns assume a fair amount of competence, and took a bit of figuring out.

Sun, sea, kangaroos and carrots

2008-06-06T18:43:00.002+09:30

We had a lovely time on holidays at the Gold Coast. The weather was perfect, warm but not too hot, and just right for sandcastles and paddling.

It was so nice just to put on a summer dress again and enjoy the last of the warm days. I am feeling fantastic now that the nausea of the first trimester is all over. It is great just waking up without feeling sick, and I'm grateful for it every day. I think this is week 17, but I keep losing track. I just know that I am already the size of a house.

We avoided the big theme parks, but went to Currumbin nature sanctuary which was wonderful, Thomas had a fabulous time riding on the little train, and seeing koalas, Tassie devils, wombats and lots of birds. We even got to pat and feed a mother kangaroo and her little joeys.

We had a few days in Sydney staying with my parents and, catching up with some friends and relatives. Our friend Lamorna has a great veggie garden, and Thomas was amazed to see that carrots really grow in the ground.

Here he is in a very cute jumper my mum knitted for him. Check out those pom poms!

I have been busy knitting one of the three little pigs, but have had trouble finding the plastic joints required by the pattern, so it might take a while to get it finished. At the moment it is a dismembered piggy body in a plastic bag, not quite worthy of a photo!

Now I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend at home, sorting out all our chaos, and perhaps some fireworks (I still can't believe Canberra still lets us set these off ourselves!). Happy long weekend everyone!

hello little elephant

2008-05-21T20:13:00.003+09:30

Just a brief post to introduce this little fellow. He has gone to a good home with a beautiful newborn boy, and I had to take a quick photo this morning. He is from this book, and is nice and quick to knit, although a bit fiddly to make up - for some reason you knit the feet separately, like little cupcakes, and then attach them to the suit!

We're off on holidays on Friday, hooray! Hoping for some nice weather.

Birthday treats

2008-05-18T10:39:00.002+09:30

Last week was my 35th birthday - scary stuff! Still I had a lovely day and was thoroughly spoiled by Warren, with gorgeous flowers, dinner and some books from my wish list. The paper cutouts is particularly inspiring, full of wonderful bold folk inspired designs in a single colour which of course are great as papercuts (must get myself a scalpel!) but could also work as screenprints or perhaps jewellery designs. The itty bitty nursery book is also gorgeous, with lots of very cute things to knit.

The Russian textiles book is a gift from my mum, mouthwatering textile designs which are quite unique and combine a kind of folk feel with eastern decoration. So much inspiration in these three books, I am just waiting for some more quiet time to curl up with them.

This beautiful elephant cushion was a gift from a friend, Thomas loves it too.

And finally, arriving amazingly enough on my birthday, beautifully wrapped and with a gorgeous card, were these stunning oven mitts from Lily. They are even more beautiful up close, meticulously sewn, with another lovely matching fabric for the lining. I proudly used them for the roast when Warren's dad came over for lunch yesterday, and they are a lovely addition to our kitchen. Thanks sooo much Lily!

Here is rainbow baby doll no 2. I think I now have these out of my system, but I am working on a little elephant. I do like having knitting to pick up when I collapse in front of the tv at the end of the day.

It has been a busy and sociable week for us, hosting mother's group (here is Thomas looking enchanted by a recent arrival), having friends to stay for a few days, and Warren's dad and his partner visiting. We also have a family wedding next weekend and we are off to the Gold Coast for a few days to thaw out from Canberra's chilly weather. I am so looking forward to a change of scene, I can't wait.

I also have my first meeting with my midwife tomorrow - this time round I'm going through the birth centre rather than the hospital so I think I see one midwife for the rest of the pregnancy and labour (although I still have to deliver in the hospital because I had a caesar last time). I'm hoping this time round that we might have a more natural birth, and that the baby will stay put until the due date, but we will have to wait and see.

Rainbow baby doll 1

2008-05-06T15:40:00.004+09:30

Thank you so much for all your very lovely comments on the pregnancy - we are very thrilled, although sometimes I think we must be mad to do it all again!

Here is my first attempt at a rainbow baby doll. Quite addictive to knit something that is so quick to make up - a couple of evenings (for me as a very slow knitter) rather than the usual weeks for a garment. I can definitely feel another one coming on! They would be good for a baby toy, as no small parts to come off and get swallowed - even the pompom is knitted as part of the hat, and the pattern is super easy.

Thomas quite likes it too, not that you could tell from this photo!

I also found out that I am the very, very lucky winner of Lily's blog giveaway, the most beautiful oven mitts made from Denyse Schmidt fabric. I just love them, I can't tell you how thrilled I am!

I must be on a winning streak lately, as I also won Leah's gorgeous knitted washcloth and soap a few weeks ago. Usually I never win anything (really!) so perhaps its time to get a lottery ticket! I must definitely do a giveaway myself soon too, to reciprocate all this kindness, so stay tuned.

Up the duff

2008-05-03T12:56:00.002+09:30

You have probably already guessed by now, but the reason I've been so sick for the last couple of months is that we are expecting another baby. Although if you look at the ultrasound photos from my 12 week scan yesterday, it looks more like we will have a little alien, or perhaps a seal pup. These pictures are always hard to decipher, but if you look closely you can see the alien face in frontal view and hands (or are they flippers?) on either side of its head. The little peanut was very unco-operative with the scan, jumping about all over the place and the poor techician was there forever trying to get the right angles, but it seems that everything is developing fine.

Funnily enough, we have been given exactly the same due date as for Thomas, (12 November) two years later, so there must be something special about the date both were concieved!

Anyway, luckily the all day nausea seems to be gradually subsiding, and I am feeling more human again. Thank goodness as I need all my energy to cope with Thomas, who is getting more and more adventurous and mischevious by the day.

He is also going through a sudden burst of separation anxiety, so leaving him at childcare three days a week has become an exercise in guilt. His carers reassure me that he stops crying as soon as I leave, but it still feels awful to put him through this. It would be nice to have the option not to work, but as well as preserving some of my sanity, at the moment we would really struggle without my income. I guess it's a very common dilemma, but no easier because of that.

On the creative side, I'm easing myself back into knitting with this rainbow doll pattern (a free pattern from Jean Greenhowe - not the eggs - keep scrolling down to the bottom - but check out those mini knitted cakes and sandwiches too!) which reminds me of some beautiful knitted dolls my mum made for us years ago. I'm not so keen on the super bright colours, but am experimenting with leftover scraps from the knitting I did for Thomas last year.

newborn wrap top

2008-04-26T11:30:00.003+09:30

It's the baby shower today, and I got inspired to make a top to match the little booties.

I worked out the pattern from an old top of Thomas' with some modifications, and making it much smaller. The wraps are secured with a press stud on the outside and a button and elastic loop on the inside. I'm pleased with the result and that I used only stuff we already had, some organic cotton I'd bought ages ago, and I made some bias binding from a Japanese chirimen cloth - one of several I'd bought in Tokyo years ago and have been hoarding ever since.

The only downside is my dodgy sewing skills, so that up close the stitching on the slippery bias binding leaves a bit to be desired, especially on the back. Anyway, it definitely has that handmade touch!

Here it is all wrapped up and ready to go.

Bitty booties

2008-04-22T11:34:00.003+09:30

These are the bitty booties from Heather Bailey's pattern. They are very quick and straightforward and very tiny! At least the 0-3 month size is.

They aren't lined, so are made with just two pieces each, plus embellishments. It is hard to believe that little feet will really fit into these, but I always forget how tiny newborns are.

I think when I make these again, I might try lining them, and perhaps think about some kind of elastic closure to make sure they stay on.

Still, a good exercise for getting back into making things and turning the sewing machine back on.

Mr Sandman

2008-04-20T18:38:00.002+09:30

Just a quick post to thank everyone for your lovely comments, so nice to have all that support out there from you wonderful creative women. I am still under the weather, but I have a good friend who is having a baby very soon, so I am feeling the need to make something quick and fun - Heather Bailey's bitty booties look like they might fit the bill, I'll let you know how I get on.

We finally got around to getting a little sandpit for the backyard for Thomas, just one of those clamshell types. At the moment our sandplay is not very sophisticated, just filling a bucket or flowerpot with the shovel, but it still provides lots of amusement.

Thanks again for all your kind words and thoughts.

Still alive

2008-04-06T19:14:00.002+09:30

Sorry to have disappeared for a whole month, I have been here, but a bit unwell for a while, so I've been too tired to do much other than working and looking after Thomas. I've really been missing all my favourite blogs - I haven't forgotten you and will be back soon.

Thomas, on the other hand is bursting with energy, and learning words at a great rate. He has also become very affectionate in the last few weeks and has been showering me with very sweet kisses and cuddles.

We had a nice trip to our friends' farm yesterday afternoon, and Thomas had an up close encounter with cows.

It was great to have a change of scene, and some lovely fresh air - it is a beautiful property near Braidwood. Here is Thomas again in that cable knit I'm still squeezing him into this year.

It was great catching up with friends and sitting around the fire until it was time to take Thomas home again.

We also had a lovely visit from my parents last week. Thomas adores them, and my mum is happy to sing 'bananas in pyjamas' and 'twinkle twinkle' as many times as Thomas can say "More peese." It was so wonderful to have them here, and we miss them already.

Well that's it from me - sadly nothing creative at all to report, but I am getting interested in knitting again, must be the chill in the air.

Hopefully I'll be back again before the end of the month!

Thank you!

2008-03-08T18:25:00.003+10:30

Just a quick post to say a big thank you to everyone for your lovely comments on my jewellery experiments. They are really at an early stage, but your feedback has given me the confidence to keep going with it all. I would love to do some more enamelling one day (I put a couple of my pieces in my first blog post here), but at the moment with a toddler, hot kilns and leaded enamels seem like asking for trouble, so for now shrink plastic seems a fun and safe material to try.

But the biggest thank you goes to the wonderfully talented Leah for the beautiful hand knitted washcloth and handmade soap which arrived at my place yesterday. The washcloth is so beautiful and intricate, it would have taken me months to knit. I'm not sure I can bring myself to use it as a washcloth, I think I will just admire it for a bit longer first!

Back soon.

Experiments with shrinky dinks

2008-03-02T17:50:00.005+10:30

I have been experimenting with shrink plastic for a while, using the plastic which you can ink-jet print on, and also screen printing with gocco screens on the plain plastic and colouring in with prisma colour pencils. The pendant on the bottom left has a polymer clay frame which worked ok, but still looks a bit chunky.

My latest experiment is screenprinting on the underside of clear shrink plastic, so that the design shows through the base. I quite like this effect, like looking through glass. It seems a bit less 'plasticky'. One day I hope I might get myself organised to make some jewellery in quantities I can sell at the markets, but things have been a bit too busy here lately. I'd be very keen to get any honest feedback anyway! The next step is to get working on some screen designs.

We went to the Canberra show with Thomas last weekend, but the only photos I managed to get were of some lovely dahlias in the flower exhibition.

Poor Thomas is recovering from an ear infection which I thought was just grumpiness for a few days. He is still a bit grumpy but getting back to normal now he's on anti-biotics.

And my last exciting news is I discovered that I'd won Leah's bloggiversary competition and will be the very proud and lucky owner of one of her beautiful knitted washcloths. I'm so thrilled - I love this blogging world.

Favourite things

2008-02-03T14:40:00.001+10:30

I was browsing in Flickr when I came across some amazing themed mosaics (here).

I was so delighted that I had to have a try putting together my own simpler collages of favourite Flickr photos using mosaic maker. I think they'll be a great source of inspiration for other creative projects.

1. Vintage Kimono Fabric, 2. vintage kimono fabrics, 3. kimono fabric, 4. Japanese Antique Pattern Fabric, 5. kimono fabric, 6. vintage kimono fabric, 7. TIRIMEN Fabric, 8. fan kimono embroidery, 9. Japanese AIZOME Fabric, 10. Embroidered iris on a silk kimono, 11. kc_blackorange1, 12. kimono5, 13. Old kimono's strings, 14. Kimono pattern 1., 15. New Fabrics Arrived Today!, 16. kimono fabric

1. Frost patterns #3, 2. Frost pattern, 3. Frost on the window of my grandparents house, 4. window frost pattern, 5. Frost patterns on the car, 6. Frost patterns, 7. frost patterns, 8. window frost, 9. frost pattern in blue, 10. Frost patterns on our kitchen window., 11. Frost Patterns, 12. frost pattern, 13. Frost Patterns, 14. January afternoon frost pattern, 15. Frost on the Windshield, 16. frost pattern day

1. Opium poppy, 2. 05.06.2004 #2, 3. Opium poppy, 4. Opium, 5. Opium Poppy, 6. Addicted to Beauty of Opium Poppy, 7. Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum), 8. Opium Poppy, 9. poppy_2, 10. The Opium Poppy -, 11. 2004 Opium Poppy Square Crop 004, 12. poppy_3, 13. Red-opium-flower-bud, 14. Papaver Somniferum (opium poppy), 15. Opium poppy, 16. Poppy

There are a few more mosaics on my flickr page

Otherwise, we have been having a busy time. Thomas has become very interested in animals, and loves to tell us what sounds animals make. Sheep say Ba, Ducks say ah ah ah, and Cows say Boo! We took him to the Australia day concert in Commonwealth park, and he was mildly amused by the Bananas in Pyjamas, but was very fascinated by some animals they had there for the kids to pat. I guess it is an amazing thing to be seeing for the first time animals you've only read about in books - and to realise that sheep really do say Ba!

This weekend we continued the animal theme and went to the zoo, which was fun but very hot, and I gave up taking photos as most of the animals were too far away. Except for the scary emus of course.

Well that's it from me for now - off to read my favourite blogs while Thomas is napping.

New Year - new internet connection - finally!

2008-01-15T21:21:00.000+10:30

Happy New Year! After several weeks of frustrating phone calls we now have a working internet connection - hooray!

We had a lovely Christmas break, soaking up the time with family - I wish we lived closer.

This is Thomas playing a piano duet on Christmas day with his cousin Manny.

And here he is in the lake at Toukley, getting used to the water. He wasn't keen at first, but relaxed pretty quickly. We will have to start the swimming lessons soon.

Thomas also took his first solo steps while we were staying at my parents' place with my mum clapping him all the way. He is now toddling about the place pretty confidently although he still reverts to crawling when the going gets tough.

I'm not sure if this little video will work. I wish I could edit out my voice on it, I sound ridiculous and very loud - I didn't realise our little digital camera was recording sound as well!

Well, that's it from me for now. Here's to 2008!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-21T08:47:00.000+10:30

What a busy and exciting time of year!

.

Thomas was only a couple of months old last Christmas, and didn't have a clue what was going on, but this year he is really getting into the Christmas spirit. He loves the decorations, the tree, and even the Christmas carols.

We are heading off for Christmas with family at the coast, and I know Thomas will love seeing all his relatives and being generally spoilt for a few days.

As always, I had great intentions to make lots of handmade gifts, but time got away from me, and apart from the secret blurb books all I managed to do was to make some homemade peach and apricot jam with cointreau - an adaption of Maggie Beer's lovely recipe from the Cook and the Chef - my first jam making experience, and pretty fun except when it took forever to reach setting point. Next time I'm going to buy pectin rather than just adding lemon peel.

It was a nice way to recycle some of those baby food jars (yes I confess we do sometimes rely on them!)

I think they look better with their little party hats on.

Well, that's it from me - better go wrap some presents- wishing everyone a very lovely Christmas break and a safe and happy new year.

Cloth book for Thomas

2007-11-27T11:24:00.000+10:30

Sorry for the blogging break, but I have been busy, and for once actually have something crafty for show and tell. I made Thomas a cloth book with photos of us, and flaps that he can lift to see who is underneath. Thanks to Suzy for reminding me about SouleMama's cloth book for Adelaide it was very inspiring. I got some fabric sheets that you run through the inkjet printer, and the photos came out pretty well. The fabric is quite stiff, so good for this kind of thing. My book has heaps of handmade charm, aka wonky stitching and mistakes, but Thomas seems not to mind.

The text is very simple - just about who loves Thomas:

Mummy,

Daddy,

Grandma and Grandpa,

Pop;

And our cat Lucy

(actually it is not quite true that the cat loves Thomas, but he sure loves her - I'm sure one day the feeling will be reciprocated!)

I've also been busy doing a Blurb book - my copies just arrived in the mail, and I'm pretty darned happy with them. Can't show them here yet though because they are for Christmas presents.

We have just had an election here in Australia, and a change of government after almost 12 long years. We lefties here were pretty thrilled with the Labor victory. We had a few friends over and drank a lot and ate lots of veggie pizzas. A very good night indeed!

PS - thanks so much for all the concern and good wishes about the breast lump scare - I'm very glad that it is all ok.

Book love

2007-11-08T21:33:00.000+10:30

Hooray, finally sent off the first draft chapter I've been writing for work, so I can relax for a little while before the next deadline. I've been missing the blogging world (although I have been peeking a bit!) We have had various dramas here, with Thomas getting an awful tummy bug, and I had a breast cancer scare, but luckily after an anxious wait for a scan it turned out to be nothing serious.

Meanwhile Thomas has suddenly developed a huge passion for books, I think inspired by some gorgeous picture books he recieved for his birthday.

He particularly loves simple 'lift the flap' picture books, and books with detailed scenes with lots to point at. After showing no interest at all for the first year of his life, Thomas now wants story after story, and then over and over again. I have to say that it beats his other favourite entertainment which is to throw things on the floor and get mum and dad to retrieve them.

This immersion in lovely children's books has inspired me to think about making my own special books for Thomas, perhaps in cloth, or something I could print out on heavy card. I would like to make a book with pictures of his favourite people and of course our cat Lucy (whom Thomas just ADORES), maybe hidden under flaps.

I have been doing some web searching on making books, and have come across some interesting things. This is probably old news to most people but I was a bit thrilled to find this site http://www.blurb.com/ which allows you to publish your own real books (text and photos) for what seem quite reasonable prices. It would be lovely later on when Thomas starts drawing and painting to collect his artworks in a real book like that.

For making your own cloth books, this site has some quite nice appliqued and embroidered examples : http://www.makingclothbooks.com/gallery.htm.

This one has some very simple instructions, although no pictures: http://www.ehow.com/how_2077328_make-cloth-baby-book.html

Well, now I've said all this, I'd better get on and try some of these ideas out.

Back soon!

PS - While hanging around in the city, waiting for my scan I found these little pouches at our local $2 shop (Hotdollar in the Canberra Centre), they were only $2.50 each, so I decided to treat myself and got two!

Busy, Busy...

2007-10-19T19:38:00.000+09:30

Since I've started back at work, I really haven't been as productive as I'd like. Even though Thomas has settled in so well to childcare, it has been more difficult than I'd imagined for me to switch back into work mode, and I find my thoughts often wandering back to him, worrying about him or just missing him.

That cheeky smile - how could I not miss him?

My current position involves a lot of research and writing (I'm supposed to be writing a book). I've been doing the research: lots and lots of reading, but it has been a real struggle to force myself to start writing.

Anyway, since I've been procrastinating rather badly, I now have several deadlines looming and I really need to get into gear and do some work from home, as well as at my office. It is almost a relief that the adrenalin has finally kicked in, and I'm starting to panic a little - at least that should give me the motivation I need to sit down and write.

So I really shouldn't be blogging or crafting for a couple of weeks (and if you see me here, tell me to get back to work!)

See you soon...

Happy 1st Birthday - twice!

2007-10-11T12:06:00.000+09:30

Thomas has just turned one, and managed to score two birthday parties. I had a busy time making the cakes.

First we had a pre-birthday party at Thomas' childcare centre.

All his Gumnut friends sat around in highchairs while we sang happy birthday many times.

Thomas didn't know what the fuss was for, but at least he enjoyed the cake!

Then we had his actual first birthday party in Sydney - a picnic in the park.

We were having such a nice time catching up with friends and family that we didn't do too well taking photos. Luckily we remembered to take a photo of the cake just before it got cut up.

Thomas wasn't very smiley, but did pretty well being passed around all afternoon.

Happy Birthday Thomas!

Long weekend

2007-10-02T16:00:00.000+09:30

It has been a busy long weekend - and a sociable one for us - we had friends over for drinks, and the next day we learnt to play poker, and all wore silly hats. Thomas sat on my lap and checked out my cards. I don't think he has a very good poker face - that must be why I kept losing. I'm glad I convinced everyone to indulge me in a game of Pictionary, I'm much better at that (if I do say so myself).

On Sunday night we went out for dinner for Warren's birthday, just the two of us, alone and unaccompanied by our little one, for the first time since his birth - two other dear friends volunteered to babysit . It went really well, and Thomas didn't even stir while we were gone.

Then we went to Floriade yesterday afternoon - its a Canberra flower show thing. I thought Thomas might appreciate the flowers.

I think he appreciated this one a little too hard.

But look at that innocent face - no it couldn't have been him.

Not the most flattering photo, but a happy one nevertheless.

The flowers were very beautiful, especially backlit by the sun.

Today I did a five minute sewing project, to cover the awful cushion of our cane garden chair. We found the chair on the street years ago, and it is quite nice to sit on outside, but it is now looking very disreputable.

I had been meaning to make a proper cushion cover, but settled for just a drawstring circle. This is the underside. It literally took less than five minutes to cut a dodgy circle and turn under and stitch a casing for the cord. Elastic would have been better if we'd had any - I'd use that next time.

And the finished cushion. Lucy gave it her stamp of approval.

.

PS Thanks so much for the lovely comments on the wedding photos, I still love looking at them. (To answer Rachel's daughter's question, I didn't wear sensible shoes - and my feet did get a little cold in the snow. Boots would have been a better idea, but white boots might have been a bit too ABBA for me!)

Happy Anniversary

2007-09-16T18:04:00.000+09:30

Its been three years since Warren and I got married. It was such a perfect blissful day, one of the happiest in my life so far.

Our family and best friends came all the way to Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains for the wedding, and even though it was spring, it began to snow just before the ceremony, which turned the landscape into a winter wonderland. Of course Warren got out his cross country skis for this photo - I just love it.

We decided to do a lot of things ourselves, so I had fun learning how to make bouquets and centrepieces, and we got up early to buy our native flowers at the markets the day before (I think I 'd love to be a florist, if it wasn't for the early morning starts!)

Warren planned out all the music, and we made the decorations together, and I iced a mini wedding cake for each guest. We were rushing to get it all done the day before, but it all came together at the last moment, and I think the handmade touches added to the special feel of the day.

Our lovely friends also helped out in so many ways - I think I had the best bridesmaids in the world, and John took the most beautiful photos for us. We walked down the aisle as Cathy and Lamorna played clarinet and flute, and Anne came all the way from London to be Warren's best 'mate'.

Although it was such a cold day, I felt completely warm, I think with love and excitement, and the warmth and generosity of all our friends and relatives who shared the day with us.

It feels like just yesterday, but also like a lifetime ago, as we have moved to Canberra, made more friends, taken on new jobs, and have become a family with the birth of Thomas. Life with a baby has taken on a whole new dimension, lots of ups and downs, but mostly ups, and I have seen a new side of Warren as he has become a wonderful caring father to our little boy.

Looking forward to many happy anniversaries to come.

A wonderful week away

2007-09-12T19:55:00.001+09:30

We have just got back from our trip to Great Keppel Island. We had a few mishaps getting there and back (the ferry to the island didn't go out when we arrived because of a storm, and then we managed to miss the first one the next day - don't ask), but once we actually got there the weather cleared and we had a fabulous time.

Thomas was remarkably obliging, and was very happy to go for long bushwalks in the backpack. He really loved looking around, and laughed every time he managed to grasp passing leaves and flowers.

We took him to the beach, and Warren and I each took turns snorkling in the clear (but still a bit chilly) water while the other played with Thomas in the sand. He also loved hanging out in the spa, and it had the helpful effect of making him very sleepy too. I wish we had one at home.

On our last day we managed to get a babysitter for a couple of blissful hours while Thomas slept, and we went snorkling together at the coral reef at Shelving beach. The fish were quite incredible - such variety and colours, and there was some pretty coral out there. I even saw a huge turtle swimming right in front of me, but when I turned to show Warren it disappeared, and he keeps teasing me that I imagined it.

There were lots of starfish about. This one had just been washed ashore - I took it back out to the sea, and hope it might still be alive and well, doing whatever it is that starfish do.

Our room was pretty basic, but it was hard to beat the view from the porch, especially at sunset, with a glass of wine in hand, and Thomas napping peacefully inside.

I have to confess that I got no knitting done at all, because I discovered that I'd taken the wrong needles, but I wasn't too sad about that really - it was refreshing to have a complete break from the works in progress, and to soak up the natural beauty, and enjoy the family time.

My mum and dad picked us up from the airport, and Thomas basked in an evening of doting grandparents' attention and lots of cuddles and toys, and also finally got to meet my brother Steve who was staying over too.

All in all, a wonderful week indeed.

Spring in the air

2007-09-03T17:04:00.000+09:30

Spring has suddenly arrived in Canberra with glorious sunshine and a profusion of blossoms, bursting from branches in all shades of white and pink.

It reminds me of some of the beautiful iznik tiles I saw in the mosques in Turkey, as well as all the wonderful Japanese designs based on sakura cherry blossoms.

Warren has just got a new job, which is long overdue, and very exciting. We decided to take a quick holiday (with Thomas) to Great Keppel Island in Queensland for a week, to celebrate. We're leaving tomorrow and I can't wait.

This meant that I had to face buying a new swimsuit - very daunting post baby, but I managed to find one which wasn't too dreadful, and I finally got back on the sewing machine to whip up two very simple wrap around skirts to cover up out of the water.

This photo is pretty awful, because I didn't have time to take it in daylight (and couldn't face modeling them right now!)

I'll take some knitting, and hope to have lots of lovely photos to show when I get back

Birds on the wall

2007-08-20T17:03:00.000+09:30

I decided that this little wallhanging had been waiting around to be quilted for too long, and the nursery was looking very bare, so I just bound the edges and hung it up. I don't think Thomas will notice the difference, and I can always come back and quilt it later. It felt good just to take it off the to do list.

Thomas has been very cute, smiling and laughing at the birdies and saying goodnight to them (well gurgling something unintelligible, but you know..)

I think he might have made the connection to the real birdies which are visiting our backyard. This is a terrible photo, but you can see a pair of rainbow coloured birds here, they are Eastern Rosellas - common in Canberra, but strikingly beautiful.

Thomas has now learned to crawl (I blame the other babies at childcare for teaching him) and has gone straight to trying to pull himself up on anything he can get hold of, usually something unstable and dangerous, like the TV stand. Even when he finds something relatively benign, like the couch to clutch onto, he still wobbles perilously, with his legs shaking, and often forgets to hold on, so he pitches sideways and I have to be quick to catch him.

This has added a new dimension to my days at home with him, no more putting him down to play happily with some toys, now I'm always hovering around anxiously, retrieving him from forbidden areas or waiting for him to topple over. We went to check out childproof fences and gates, but they are pretty ugly and hideously expensive. I think it would be cheaper to buy some new furniture.

I can see why Margie on BigLove just leaves her babies in the playpen all day. I got quite hooked on that polygamous soapie (as Warren calls it), and am a bit forlorn now its finished.

I think I'm ready for some more knitting, so I've snapped up a pattern for this gorgeous cardigan from six and a half stitches. I love the idea of combining fabric with knitting. How cute is that cheekybeaks fabric used on this cardie?! I'm wondering if I could make the fabric panels detachable, so that they could be swapped around to give a new look and for the inevitable mess that Thomas would spill down the front. I think I'll start on the 2yr size, ready for next winter.

Hooray, it's finished!

2007-08-09T21:51:00.000+09:30

The cable knit jumper I've been working on forever for Thomas is finally done so he can wear it a few times before he grows out of it!

It actually fits well, but has a fair bit of stretch in the rib pattern, so perhaps I might be able to squeeze the poor boy into again it next winter.

It was from Debbie Bliss Simply Baby, and actually looks like the one in the photo - how amazing! I nearly ran out of yarn (I used Cleckheaton Country naturals), and was dismayed to find that it had been discontinued, but I managed to find some of the same colour online, and even in the same dyelot - a very lucky break.

We had a marvellous time on holidays in Melbourne, despite some cold and rainy weather.

I just love the many laneways and hidden treasures around the city, there seems to be artwork on the walls everywhere.

This mural is in a laneway of Flinders Lane in the CBD

The lovely seat is in Brunswick St, Fitzroy

And this is part of Federation Square, I love the jelly fish and the lights shining through bundles of twigs.

Of course we also did some skiing, this photo is from Lake Mountain, which is a resort just for cross country skiing.

After a lovely few days, we drove back via Cabramurra, where Warren was organising a ski race. There was a snap frost the next morning, which left all the trees outlined in the most delicate white.

And now we are back home and back to work and back to childcare. So far so good....

Slip sliding away

2007-07-26T21:43:00.000+09:30

Time has got away from me again, and I really have nothing to show for the last couple of weeks except some cute photos of Thomas. These should at least please my mum.

Showing off that one tooth

and splashing in the new big bath

The snow has hardly stopped falling this season, which has been fabulous. We have been given an old sled contraption for Thomas which Warren can pull behind him while he skis. Thomas really enjoyed it, and ended up being so relaxed he fell asleep. I like this because it slows Warren down enough for me to keep up with him.

We are off to Melbourne and to the snow again in the next two weeks, before I finally head back to work. I am looking forward to shopping and creative inspiration in Melbourne - I love that city.

We are still enjoying watching a family of Rosellas, who visit our bird feeder every day. This one is a baby, with its green feathers, which will eventually become just red and blue.

And finally, in this random and rambling post, the lovely Kate tagged me to list 8 facts or habits about myself.

I have been procrastinating about this one, but here goes:

1. I love learning new crafts, and get wildly enthusiastic about every one, buying all the books and paraphenalia, but after I have mastered the basics, and starting several projects, I often find myself losing interest and getting hooked instead on something else. The only saving grace is that most of the time I will eventually come back to that craft and those unfinished projects again one day.

2. In recent years I have tried sewing, quilting, knitting, crochet (didn't get very far with that one) screen printing, batik, marbling, tie dye, mosaics, shrink plastic, silver jewellery, enamelling, acrylic painting, watercolours, pastels, polymer clay, pottery, embroidery and even cake decorating. You should see our garage.

3. I have a thing for animals, and get quite worried when I see dogs roaming around - I always think they must be lost, and have in the past rescued (Warren says kidnapped) a few wandering dogs and taken them to the vet to check their microchip and find their owners. One of these pups happened to live right where I had rescued him from - he was sitting right outside his home. Warren thinks that is pretty funny.

4. I am not a morning person.

5. I have had my drivers licence since I was about 20, but have never quite mastered driving - I still feel like I should have P plates on. Today I was driving Thomas home from childcare, and I got stuck behind a bus, but I was too nervous to change lanes in heavy traffic, so I stayed behind it and stopped and started all the way home. Luckily we weren't in a hurry.

6. I have developed a bad habit of watching Dr Phil while I have lunch. It's a good thing I'm going back to work next month.

7. I can't sit in a cafe or restaurant by myself unless I have something to read.

8. Once I start a book, I find it almost impossible to put down, and I can't do much else until I've finished it. I keep meaning to borrow some talking books from the library, so I can at least get some other things done.

Well that's it from me, time for bed. I won't tag anyone else right now, but please join in if you like.

A busy week

2007-07-09T10:18:00.000+09:30

The first days of childcare went pretty well. My initial anxiety was instantly soothed on meeting his main carer, a lovely woman who has worked at this centre for thirty years, and has such a kind and reassuring manner. Thomas loved playing with all the new toys, especially some mobiles strung on elastic from the roof which had colourful shapes and bells attached. Funny how it is often the simplest things that kids enjoy most. I stayed with him the whole time during this orientation period, but next week I will try leaving him there for an hour or two.

Yesterday we went to a first birthday party for one of his little friends. Lovely food and wine for the adults, and amazing toys for the many babies - what more could you ask for! Here is Thomas sitting in the inflatable ball playland thing -at the back. He is now sitting up by himself and almost crawling.

I made a pop up card for the birthday boy. Thomas chewed up my first effort, but this second one worked ok.

The pop up part is very simple but kind of fun with the beak opening and shutting 'talking' as you open the card - I can't remember where I learnt this - I think it was a craft book I had as a child. I've drawn a couple of pictures to explain it at the end of this post, just in case you want to try it.

And, as you can see, after months of us thinking he must be teething, Thomas has finally got his first tooth. I hope the next ones don't take so long!

-----------------------------------------------------

Very simple instructions for the pop up bird card

You make the beak on one layer of paper, then stick it to another backing card and decorate - you can add a layer of a different colour behind the beak for the inside mouth colour. Have fun!

The Ski Season is upon us

2007-07-03T16:26:00.000+09:30

I have become a very bad blogger over the last few weeks - I'm blaming it on the ski season, which has well and truly arrived.

We took Thomas to the snow again last weekend, and this time there was plenty of it. Sadly Warren used up the camera batteries on racing photos, so we didn't get any of the very cute Thomas in the backpack laughing as Warren gently skied down a little slope with him. This is the only photo we managed to take - inside the nordic shelter at Perisher.

I had a lovely lunch last week with a friend and her gorgeous little daughter - we went out to the nearby country town of Murrumbateman, on a beautiful crisp sunny winter day. This is a photo just outside the restaurant. Thomas really enjoyed having a little friend sharing the back seat and entertaining him, and both kids behaved amazingly well.

The cable knit jumper is progressing slowly - I've finally finished the back. I'm already starting to worry about whether I will have enough yarn to finish it. Our local shop has run out, so I might have to order some more.

Thomas has his first morning of childcare tomorrow. I think he will love it - fingers crossed.

Now to go and catch up on all the blogs I've missed reading over the last weeks.

A lazy Sunday afternoon

2007-06-16T17:11:00.000+09:30

I'm sitting here with Thomas at the keyboard, helping me to type. The sun has finally emerged after a lot of rain, and we are enjoying watching some little visitors (Crimson Rosellas) play in the garden.

I wish I had more to show on the crafty side of things, but at the moment I am struggling with this cardigan - which has yet to be sewn up and a collar knitted on.

Unfortunately, although it's a bit hard to see here, the sleeves have turned out to be a slightly different shade to the body (even though the dye lot of the yarn was the same). It is taking on a disconcerting camoflage look, too. I am thinking that I might just leave the sleeves off and turn it into a vest, once I've done the collar.

In the meantime, I've just started a new cable jumper from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby. I am enjoying this much more, and the yarn feels much nicer.

We had our first trip to the snow last weekend, and managed to find Thomas some second hand ski gear in a community sale. Here he is all dressed up.

There wasn't much snow, but he quite enjoyed the change of scene anyway. He was a bit fascinated with the goggles - I guess it must be strange the first time your whole world turns a different colour.

This weekend we have just been pottering around - yesterday we visited a new park in our area, where Thomas had his first solo swing.

The big news is that we have finally been given a childcare place for Thomas, after months and months on the waiting list. This will start in July, which should work out well for my return to work part time in August, giving us time to get him used to the idea. I have mixed feelings about going back (I work as a legal academic, currently on a project on local human rights legislation). In some ways it will be good to have a bit more structure to the week, but I worry about how Thomas will adapt to being at childcare all day. At least it is only for two days a week at this stage, and it is just down the road from my office, so I can visit him at lunchtime.

This does mean that I'd better stop procrastinating and finish the craft projects which are still lying about the place. That quilt is definitely top of the list!

What's in a name

2007-06-06T10:27:00.001+09:30

I got tagged by the lovely Rachel to…

Give the meaning of your kids’ names, and write about what or how or why you gave the name to your kids. Tag five people to play along and leave a comment at their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

Thomas

Actually this is the first time I've looked up the official meaning of our son's name. Apparently it comes from the Greek for "Twin", which is not particularly apt, as he had the womb all to himself, and is definitely one of a kind. It is also the name of the Apostle "doubting Thomas" who was sceptical about the resurrection. Our Thomas is not especially doubting, except about nap times - he does give us that "you've got to be kidding" look every time we put him in the cot.

For us Thomas has more significance as a family name as it is my father's name (and our bub's middle name 'James' is Warren's dad's name, so we kept everyone happy)

While I was pregnant, the ritual was that I would think up possible names and Warren would look at me as if I was completely mad. The last straw was when I suggested "Jasper" which I thought was cute, but made Warren shudder with horror (apologies to any Jaspers out there, I still think it's a lovely name!)

We still hadn't settled on a name when all of a sudden we were in the hospital having our baby delivered six weeks early.

When Thomas was delivered by caesarian, the doctor held him up and Warren looked over the curtain to announce that it was a boy. Someone asked whether we had a name for him, and Warren apparently thought he had to make the decision then and there, so he chose Thomas. Luckily that was fine with me!

I will tag Kate and Susan, just in case they want to join in...

More knitting, and a walk down memory lane

2007-05-29T21:28:00.000+09:30

I have not done much to report in the last couple of weeks, but have learned to knit cables. Hooray! This is a scarf I knitted for my mum's birthday. I'd always imagined cables would be very tricky to do, but in fact there is not much to it, just using an extra little needle to swap some stitches around every few rows, and then the twisted rope just forms itself.

I was knitting it right up until I gave it to mum, I pretty much cast it off the needles and then handed it over, so I didn't take very good photos of it - it is made from a really soft alpaca yarn which was lovely to knit with.

We have been visiting family in Sydney, which is always really nice - I sometimes wish we lived much closer to my parents, they are such willing babysitters, and Thomas just loves them.

While at mum and dad's I found this paper mache zebra I had made as a teenager. Mum had kept it all this time. This was another of my many crafty phases - for a while I really got into this and made all sorts of animals - I loved the fact that you could make pretty much anything you could imagine, using just newspaper masking tape and glue, even though craft wasn't very fashionable at that age. I have a secret hope that Thomas will enjoy doing some crafty things with me when he gets a bit older - we will have to wait and see.

Finally some progress

2007-05-15T11:19:00.000+09:30

I've finally sewn the rows together with the sashing on the quilt, and am very happy with how it looks - thanks to everyone who made suggestions. It took so long because I am not very good at cutting and sewing straight lines - lots of unpicking!

I still have to put on the borders, not to mention actually, like, quilting it, but it still feels good to get this far. I am thinking that I might make it a single bed size quilt for when Thomas eventually moves out of his cot. It should be finished before then anyway.

I think I might have to try something quick and easy for my next sewing project. I love the look of the binding on these clever baby shirts, they are quite similar to this wrap top of his which I just adore and have been thinking of copying. I can just see a shirt with Japanese fabric binding (how predictable am I becoming!)

I have been enjoying knitting lately, because it is something I can take with me anywhere, and I can pick it up easily when I have five minutes, or while watching tv in the evening. It is also less intimidating to tackle baby size knits.

This is the latest, a little cardigan for Thomas. I seem to have a thing for variegated yarn - you never quite know what patterns will form when you start knitting it up, so it keeps things interesting.

And finally, some fallen leaves outside our front door. More variegated colours. While Warren looks forward to the winter snow (not where we live, but in the Snowy Mountains, not too far away) I love this time of year, glorious leaves, cool enough to enjoy walking, and not yet that biting chill in the air.

Winter on the way

2007-05-09T16:15:00.000+09:30

After weeks of staying home, we have now had two weekends away in quick succession. Last weekend we went to Perisher Valley for a working bee to get the Nordic ski shelter ready for the upcoming cross country ski season. We stayed at a lovely house in Jindabyne, this is the view from the balcony. Warren is a very keen cross country racer, and I think he will have Thomas skiing as soon as he can walk.

I took some knitting for the long car ride, and managed to finish a hat to match the jumper, from some wool I had left over. Poor Thomas looks very serious in this photo, he's probably wondering what he will be forced to wear next, knitted underwear?

Making the pompon for the top was fun, I hadn't done that in years, but I made the cardboard circles too big, so it turned out to be enormous, practically as big as Thomas' head. I'd used up all the blue wool, so instead of starting again, I had to trim it back to size. Our house is now covered in a layer of blue fuzz.

My mum dropped off some children's books for us a while ago, and I was looking through them today and found this craft book. It has some very seventies fabrics and styles, but some of the dinosaurs look quite cute, I might have to try to make one someday.

A short sea change

2007-05-03T15:21:00.000+09:30

We had a great couple of days away, driving through the mountains to some lush green countryside - this is Tilba Tilba, and then on to Narooma.

It was the first time Thomas had really seen the water, or a pelican and he seemed quite intrigued by it all.

Now we are back home and have had our last visitor for a while, and I've finally got back to the long neglected quilt. I was inspired by Rachel completing her beautiful calendar project. I need a bit more of that kind of staying power to finish this off.

We have been enjoying this banana bread recipe, now that bananas are affordable again (for a while they were a luxury item in Oz). I hadn't made a cake for a while and I was reminded how fun it is to bake things from scratch. A lot more instant gratification than quilting, that's for sure!

one and a half cups plain (all purpose) flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
quarter teaspoon salt
125g butter softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 large very ripe bananas
half a cup buttermilk (or quarter of a cup each of plain yoghurt and milk if you don't have buttermilk)

Preaheat the oven to 170 C or 325 F
Grease a loaf tin (9x5inches or 23 x 12 cm)
Sift together flour baking powder, bicarb and salt
In another bowl cream the butter and sugar with an electric beater until pale and fluffy
Gradually add beaten eggs, mixing well after each addition
Add mashed bananas, then add flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beating well after each addition
Spoon into the tin and bake for 55 to 60 mins or until the top of the bread is firm and deep brown, and a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the tin for ten minutes then turn onto a wire rack.

We found that it tastes even better after a day or so. Keeps for several days wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge, or can be frozen.

Happy baking.

Back again

2007-04-24T13:11:00.000+09:30

Wow, three weeks has flown by since my last post. We have had such a busy time here with lots of visitors, there has been no time to open the laptop.

Thomas has been loving all the attention. Here he is with a little friend - it was fun but hectic having two babies in the house for a while, and none of us got any sleep.

Somehow in the quiet times I managed to finish this jumper for Thomas. It was a very basic design, but I hadn't done a neckband or buttonholes before, so it was a great learning experience. I'm quite keen to do another one now, but perhaps something a bit more interesting.

It is still too big for Thomas right now, but should be about right for winter.

We had a great time with another friend last weekend, and we all went on a bushwalk to the top of Mount Majura - Warren managed to carry Thomas all the way - he was quite happy looking around and taking it all in.

I was given these beautiful tulips as an early birthday present, and am really enjoying watching them slowly open up.

Tomorrow we are off to the coast for a couple of days. It will be too cold to swim, but it will be great to get away for a while.

Right now I'm going to have a quick look at my favourite blogs, while Thomas is still napping. Can't wait to catch up on some crafty inspiration.

6 months already!

2007-04-05T17:01:00.000+09:30

I can hardly believe that Thomas is 6 months old this week.

He is such a healthy happy bub I think it would now be hard to tell that he was a premmie baby. He was delivered by emergency caesarian at 34 weeks, after I had sudden bleed.

Little Thomas needed lots of help when he first arrived, and was in the special care nursery for three weeks, learning to breathe on his own and then learning how to feed properly.

We weren't quite ready for his arrival, I was still at work and was supposed to teach a class the next day, and we had friends staying with us - we had to leave them at a cafe while we raced off to hospital. The first few weeks were a strange time, spending all day at the hospital but with not much to do while he slept for hours on end in his humidicrib. I wish I had taken up knitting then - I could have got so much done!

It has been amazing seeing him grow and change over the months since we brought him home. Thomas has recently started laughing, and loves to roll from his back to his tummy. He can stand up holding my hands, and loves to jump endlessly on my lap. I love seeing his sense of humour and personality emerging and can't wait for his first words.

You might have noticed the lack of craft activity around here lately - the quilt and the jumper are still works in progress (I'm now on the sleeves, and then I have to learn how to sew it all together and 'knit up' stitches for a neck band). April seems to be a very popular time for visitors - we have friends and relatives staying with us pretty much non stop for the next few weeks. It will be great to have the company, but it may be hard to get much done for a while. I'll have to get my creative fix vicariously from all the great projects everyone else is up to in blogland.

Best wishes for a lovely Easter holiday.

Autumn has arrived

2007-03-30T14:32:00.000+09:30

It has suddenly turned quite chilly here in Canberra, almost overnight it has gone from blazing summer days to breezy autumn weather, so I'd better get a move on finishing this jumper for Thomas:

So far I've done the back and have moved onto the front. It is such a simple design that it has been quite fun to knit in front of the TV. I've been practising knitting without looking (kind of like touch typing) generally this works but I have dropped a few stitches - that crochet hook has come in handy for picking them up!

We have just got home from a very unsuccessful expedition to a local second hand baby clothes shop. For a few weeks I'd been walking past their sign which suggested that we should do our bit for the environment and recycle our baby clothes. However, when I took in a bundle of things Thomas has outgrown (all freshly washed and ironed), hoping to swap for some bigger clothes, they were almost all rejected - apparently they will only take things which are designer brands or which look brand new. I couldn't help feeling a bit affronted that they didn't think our clothes were good enough. Never mind, we will save them to pass on to friends or perhaps we might one day have another bub - certainly not thinking about that yet though!

We have been out in the garden lately, trying to find some plants which will grow in a tricky spot Warren calls the 'wall of death' , against a shady courtyard wall. Everything we plant there meets a sad end. We have now put in some red flowers (verbena and dianthus), but the new buds have turned white - that is surely a bit strange? Perhaps it's something in the soil.

Finally, a gratuitous photo of my two lovely boys. This was just a spontaneous shot in Thomas' room, but the lighting seems to be very nice and soft, almost like a studio.

Thomas is now letting me know in no uncertain terms that he is awake and wants milk immediately, so it looks like that is it for the time being. Hope you all have a good weekend.

Still waiting for the tooth fairy

2007-03-24T14:49:00.000+10:30

Sorry for the lack of posting, it has been a tricky week here. Thomas has been very upset most evenings, and one night he screamed hysterically for twenty minutes when I tried to breastfeed him, and nothing we tried would calm him down. We were getting quite frantic, and were about to drive to the hospital , but then it subsided and he slept straight through till the next morning. It made me realise how lucky we are that he doesn't usually cry much, it is so upsetting being unable to help him. I don't know how parents cope with 'colicky' babies who are like that all the time.

I took him to the doctor the next day but she couldn't find anything wrong with him. On the bright side, he went to sleep without a fuss last night, and has been a happier chap today so perhaps whatever has been troubling him is easing up. Still no teeth to be seen though!

Thanks so much for the feedback on the quilt - it is really great to be able to get all your creative input. I am going to follow the popular consensus and go with the red sashing - I've cut up the pieces and made a start on the sewing. Kayla asked about the fabrics I used in the quilt - actually they mainly came from a local quilt shop in Canberra, in a rather touristy place called Gold Creek Village. They have an amazing range of Japanese quilt fabrics, the only downside is they are around $24 (AUD) per metre.

Although of course I should be concentrating on finishing the quilt, as often happens when I am in the midst of one project, I suddenly want to start another one. With the weather finally turning cooler here I had an urge to learn to crochet (it has been so popular in blogland lately). I thought it would be nice to have something I could do in the evening in front of the tv, when we collapse in a heap after getting Thomas to bed. So I bought a hook and some yarn, and after many unsuccesful attempts to follow drawn diagrams I found this website with videos of the stitches which was very helpful.

I still found it difficult to pick up though, and my ineptitude with the hook made me hanker for knitting needles, even though I haven't knitted for years, but at least I know how to knit and purl! That inspired me to start a little jumper/sweater for Thomas out of the red wool (this is just a tension square in the photo, it is not going to be that small!), but I would like to persevere with the crochet and might make some kind of chevron patterned cushion or bag.

I wish I had the patience to make a big blanket like this one we inherited. Lucy seems to have taken a fancy to it. I think she is pretending to be one of the toys. She is probably hiding, in case that annoying new little human starts screaming again.

Teething troubles

2007-03-15T21:38:00.000+10:30

We haven't seen much of this little smile lately, as it seems that Thomas is teething. He is usually very sunny, but at the moment he is quite grizzly and chewing on everything. Not much to show for the sleepless nights yet, but I think I can see two tiny tooth buds in his bottom gum.

Meanwhile, I have finally finished all the quilt blocks, and am now wondering about how to put them together, and whether to put sashing between the blocks to outline them.

This is how the blocks look when put directly together

This is how it might look with red sashing between the blocks.

I can't quite decide which I like - the sashing makes the square frame block shapes clearer, without it the navy pieces blend together and creates stripes and other patterns.

I'd love to hear any thoughts on this.

Brain on holiday

2007-03-08T13:55:00.000+10:30

As the quilt progress does not make exciting reading (another ten squares this week), I thought it might be good to break things up by making something quick and crafty. I stumbled across the Softie Awards 2007, and even though it was Wednesday, and the closing date was Friday, I decided that I could whip up something fun, just for a change.

I saw there was a category of 'Best Holiday Inspired' softie, which appealed to me. I must explain that in Australia, 'Holiday' generally refers to what Americans call 'vacations' - usually involving travel to somewhere more interesting. So I started thinking of soft toys inspired by our holiday travels.

I have a real soft spot for the cats in Turkey who lounge around on the carpets in shops and streets all over Istanbul,

So I had a go at making a Turkish carpet cat, painting a kilim design on a remnant of furnishing fabric.

I was making a pretty bodgy job of sewing him together - that fabric is a bugger to sew. Anyway I was just getting around to his face (I've drawn it in in Photoshop, just so you get the idea of what I was intending), when I thought I'd have a look at some of the other entries.

I looked at the Holiday category, expecting Arabian camels, exotic geishas and softies in Hawaian shirts. Instead I found lots of mice and owls inspired by Valentines day and Christmas, with a few Halloween creatures thrown in.

What on earth do Christmas, Valentines day and Halloween have to do with Holidays? I wondered. Then the penny dropped. Ahaa.. those Holidays, like "Happy Holidays". So a Turkish cat would not be so much what they were looking for...In fact he would look pretty damn silly in that crowd!

Thomas wondered why I was suddenly cracking up with laughter. To be honest it was a bit of a relief, as I wasn't very happy with this effort and it meant no more rushed embroidery today.

In other news, Warren officiated at a triathlon on the weekend, and took Thomas along to help direct the traffic

Nah, just kidding, don't call child protection, this is what he was really doing, lounging around at the picnic afterwards. The boys just thought it would be fun to dress him up.

Well, that's all from me in an exciting and productive week.
Happy Holidays to you all!

Baby Steps

2007-03-02T16:59:00.000+10:30

Well, it's Friday, and I've sewn together ten blocks, only thirty to go! I think this project is growing beyond a playmat and into a proper quilt (it will be 5 by 8 rows of blocks, each will be about 7 inches when sewn up- I haven't really worked out how big that will make it).

Progress has been very slow, because Thomas has decided that sleep is boring, it is much more fun to be entertained all day. Initially I was getting quite frustrated, but I think it is easier to relax and just enjoy the time with him, and not to get too focused on getting things done.

Today we spent a fair bit of time in the garden, with Thomas rolling around on a blanket under a leafy tree. I noticed this spiderweb catching the light - I love that lacy pattern.

Happy weekend everyone.

Another quilt layout

2007-02-26T10:52:00.000+10:30

I was very thrilled to recieve such kind comments about my quilt layout. I still wasn't quite satisfied with the triangles though, so I continued to play around with the design (luckily I hadn't cut the squares yet). This is the latest incarnation, with the blue squares cut into rectangles framing the brighter ones. I must confess that I did visit the local quilt shop and have added a couple more navy and red fabrics to give it a bit more zing.

Seconds after this photo was taken our cat Lucy ran through the middle of the carefully laid out design, pouncing on the pieces and scattering half of them under the couch. She has a crazy fabric fetish, and thinks I put out this array of tantalizing scraps as an elaborate game for her. No amount of swearing has persuaded her otherwise.

I managed to get it back in order and I think I am now ready to sew, as soon as I can convince Thomas to have a little nap. He's not looking very tired right now though, as he sits in his bouncer next to me as I type this:

Hopefully I will have a bit more progress to report before next week.

Putting the Pieces together

2007-02-19T15:42:00.000+10:30

In the spirit of 'using what you have' I am trying to make another playmat, this time for a boy, using the fabric scraps I have here. Even though I love all these fabrics individually, it is a puzzle to try and get them to play nicely together. I think there are too many dark colours, perhaps I need to introduce some more neutral light colours? I am very inspired by Melissa's gorgeous quilt on her banner. I love the mix of colours and the lovely random patchwork.

I cut up some squares, but they don't really work, so I am thinking of triangles. I think this could be a work in progress for some time.

It has otherwise been a good week. Warren bought me some beautiful lillies for Valentines day and the house is filled with their fragrance.

Thomas has also amazed us by sleeping through the night, three nights in a row. Hooray! It is incredible how much better life seems after an unbroken sleep. In a week of firsts, he has also had a go in the jolly jumper (pictured here) and tried some rice cereal (he made a face with each spoonful, but continued to ask for more.)

Sadly for my crafting, the sleep at night seems to make him less sleepy through the day, so projects may be moving a bit slowly around here.

Home again

2007-02-12T22:27:00.000+10:30

We had a great weekend back in Sydney, celebrating my little brother's 21st and seeing this gorgeous new girl. Look at all that hair!

Here are the two proud dads. Hard to believe that Thomas used to be even smaller than this little one.

Thomas was wonderfully sociable all weekend, coping with loud music and lights at the pub, and smiling a lot for my parents, which went over very well.

While we were staying at mum and dad's I photographed this applique cushion which I made a while ago for my mum. Warren thinks it is cheating to show things I 'prepared earlier' , but I am quite proud of this one. The border fabric is some shot chiffon I screen printed with butterfly images (taken from one of those Dover books, alas I am not that inventive) the applique fabrics are silk satin and the background is a dark purple/blue cotton velveteen. This applique is satin stitched rather than raw edged. It takes forever and uses heaps of thread, but does look nice. I like his kooky sequin eyes.

We are back home again now, and poor Thomas had to have his 4 month immunisation shots today. The last lot weren't so bad, but this time he was inconsolable afterwards. I know it is for his own good, but I still feel terribly guilty holding him still for the injections. Ouch. He didn't feed well this evening, so I have a feeling it will not be a peaceful night. Hopefully he will have forgotten all about it by tomorrow.

Kimono playmat

2007-02-08T17:29:00.000+10:30

We are off to Sydney tomorrow to see our friends' new baby, so I rushed through a playmat during some brief times when Thomas was either asleep or content to play by himself which was not very long. He has been very sweet, with lots of smiles, but wanting a lot of attention - I've been singing every playschool song I can think of today - I'm glad no one else is here to hear it.

Anyway this was the first time I have actually tried quilting something and it was harder than I expected. It probably would have been better if I had done the binding properly rather than cheating and just sewing it up like a doona cover with the batting inside.

Here it is

I think I might need to buy a walking foot - this might make things a bit easier. I thought straight lines would be easy, but they show up flaws much more than an elaborate design. Still, I'm glad I started with this project before tackling the quilting on this one.

Overall, I was reasonably happy with the design - it reminds me of a kimono with an obi sash. The back is just the plain grey/blue flowered fabric, so it is reversible (probably a good thing in case they think all that black is a bit strange for a baby).

If I have time tonight, I'm hoping to add her name in embroidery.

Something fishy

2007-02-04T14:27:00.000+10:30

Thomas has been very active today, so we've only had time for a super quick project. Lucy decided to help cutting out the fabric- she's lucky she still has all her whiskers.

The result - a quick jumpsuit for Thomas with fish and waves.

Detail of the applique, just two squares with edges turned under and stitched on (with rather wavy stitching).

Speaking of little fish, we took Thomas to the pool for the first time this weekend. A friend organised a family picnic with cake and watermelon, lots of babies and splashing - it was lovely. Thomas took to the water remarkably well, considering he's only been in a warm bath before. Here is the family photo. I can't believe I'm posting this, but it is such a happy shot. Motherhood is so glamorous.

Getting the angle wrong

2007-02-02T17:30:00.000+10:30

This has been a funny week. I am not much of a driver, having never owned my own car (I guess this counts as one weird thing about me). I can do it, but have to concentrate hard when driving our manual 4wd. Parking is the worst. Since having Thomas I have been out and about more often, and had thought I was improving.

This week I met some friends for coffee and managed to negotiate the twists and turns of the car park. I was quite proud of myself until I turned into our garage and ran over the jogger pram. Oops. The car had to sit half sticking out of the garage till Warren came home to unwedge it.

Miraculously, the car seems to be ok. Not so sure about the pram.

On a less embarrassing note, I am planning to make a small quilt or playmat for my friend's new bub. I wondered about including this black fabric, but I am not really one for baby pastels. I am thinking of very simple stripes, something that she can bung in the wash without worrying too much about a delicate design.

applique flowers and a golden moment

2007-01-29T22:56:00.000+10:30

Continuing the applique theme, today I added some flowers to a onesie for a friend's beautiful newborn daughter. I would like to make her a little quilt or playmat as well, but that will take a bit longer (hopefully before her first birthday though) Two of my friends had babies last weekend, it's been a very busy time.

This is the detail of the applique. I was going to sew buttons in the centres, but decided to keep it simple.

This afternoon Thomas fell asleep on my lap after feeding, and I noticed his eyelashes glinting like spun gold in the afternoon light. Life with Thomas is full of these little moments of wonder.

Australia day and another little bird

2007-01-28T20:29:00.000+10:30

We have had a nice relaxing Australia day long weekend, seeing friends, and checking out the sleepy historic town of Gundaroo. Here is Thomas ready to go on one of our trips. He now takes up the whole car capsule which amazes us because he was so very tiny when he first came home.

This afternoon Warren looked after Thomas while I added a little bird applique to a t-shirt - a late birthday present for a favourite two year old. I used fusible web and then just straight stitched around the edges.

I was inspired by this gorgeous applique of little horses.

I'm hoping the applique will survive washing, at least until she grows out of it.

The bird design was adapted from the cute little bird on this tag, but much simplified, to reflect my basic sewing skills. I had intended it to be more subtle, but couldn't resist a touch of Japanese fabric for the wing.

Little quilt in progress

2007-01-26T10:57:00.000+10:30

I started this little cot quilt just before Thomas was born six weeks early. I had hoped to finish it before he arrived, but it is still a work in progress. I have done the quilt top, but need to do the backing and quilting part.

I just love Japanese fabrics, traditional ones as well as the cute modern stuff. I tried to design this quilt to be unisex, but don't think I quite succeeded. I'm hoping Thomas will like it for a while before he decides it is too girly.

This is my first quilt so it is taking me a while to figure out how to do everything, as you can see from the patches which don't line up.

I'm hoping it just adds to the handmade charm.

Why hello there!

2007-01-25T19:56:00.000+10:30

Well here goes, I've finally got around to starting my own blog! I've been meaning to do this since before the birth of little Thomas late last year. I had to share this photo of him, he has just started smiling, which is such a joy - he is such a cheeky monkey.

I was looking for some creative inspiration, and stumbled across the blog of Molly Chicken which led me into this gorgeous generous world of women who sew and craft and share wonderful glimpses of their lives. I am in awe of these girls, and the projects they finish so effortlessly. I am finding it hard to get much done at all with a three month old, but am hoping that having a blog might help with motivation for the various works in progress.

I am a bit of a dilettante when it comes to arts and crafts, I have a passion for anything to do with colour and pattern, and have tried almost everything to do with textiles (sewing, batik, dyeing, silk painting, screen printing and a recent foray into patchwork) I also love jewelry and actually bought myself a small kiln to do enameling last year, but then got a bit worried about the lead content of enamels while I was pregnant. These are some of my early efforts:

A little rockpool pendant

A maple leaf brooch

A tulip pendant

I am hoping to do some more enameling one day, but will have to wait till the weather here cools down, it is unthinkable to put a kiln on in Canberra at the moment. Tomorrow I will get my act together to photograph a quilt in progress for Thomas. For now I will try to post this - this is all a steep learning curve!