Ta dah - Caleb's Quilt - Finally

There are a few pictures mainly because I am so darn proud of this baby. My quilt photography skills on the other hand could use some refinement. I think I had a little too much light? I did the binding in linen. All the blocks are hand quilted and eventually I want to add circle quilting to the middle square, but I am prepared to do that gradually. I really love the blocks with the pockets on them, and so does Caleb - he is already squirreling his goodies in there. He got to sleep under it last night for the first time and told me that it brought happy sleep.

My absolute favourite part though is the 'sweet dreams beautiful boy' embroider on the binding - it is the last thing I say to him every night. And Caleb absolutely loves it which makes all the time, pulled muscles (who new stitching was exercise) and calloused fingers worthwhile. Did I mention that I have already go the fabric for Poppy's quilt too, but I really have to do some market and summer sewing first.

Eye Spy ... Something I shouldn't eat but do Anyway

I never know whether I should feel envious of people that say they can take or leave chocolate or feel sorry for them but I have the worlds worst sweet tooth. I also have no shame so I am pretty happy to be out and proud.

I do like to encourage Caleb to bake at every chance - usually only packet mixes so he doesn't loose interest. It only seems fair that I eat as much as I can so that he can cook some more right? I do have a soft spot for a lamington - this is my birthday cake from this year. The best part is Glen hates them - More for me Woo Hoo!

Thanks to Jennifer Rose for the hungry theme and I am hoping Karin can help out with next weeks theme. You can join in anytime, just add your link after you have posted below so we can all find you and it doesn't matter what day of the week that you do it.

In other good news, I have finally finished Caleb's quilt. It has felt a little like a marathon but I am super proud, even in all it's wonky glory. I hope to post up some pictures tomorrow.

How cute are These

I have had my eyes on these in the local kids shop window for a while. I have been wanting to pop in and get one each of the kids.

Well I sent in Glen who couldn't choose, so the solution - bring home the whole zoo.

No creative space either, I thought you would all be sick of seeing Caleb's quilt. I have finished quilting all the squares and am on to the binding so I am hoping maybe one more week tops - fingers crossed.

Thank you too to everyone for taking the time to comment on my market pondering, I really appreciate it!

Do You Mind if I Borrow an Opinion?

Back to a little market sewing in between the great Caleb quilt marathon. Well actually Mathilda's market sent me an email asking for my photos of summer stuff, at which point there may of been swearing and then a stern call into action.

Summer linen/cotton pants for boys with a wide turn up cuff that can be shorts of 3/4 with an anchor button at the side and a Sprout fish pocket. Q1 - Glen thinks that they would only suit the younger boys should I make a Sz3 or only 1-2.

The bib dress is using that cute rabbit fabric from Amitie and a pink linen look skirt and lace straps. Q2 - Do you think that i need to add a rabbit pocket to the skirt?

At least the bizarre Melbourne weather gave us a little sunshine to get outside and take the photos I needed by Friday.

How funny is this out-take shot

Eye Spy ... an Inspirational Person in my Life

I have to say that this theme from Sally has to be one of my favourites, but as seems to go hand in hand - is that they are usually the hardest to answer. Once I sat down, it made me realise how lucky I was to have so much inspiration around.
Left over from my youth would have to be Maya Angelou and Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker), two amazingly strong women who sort to bring equality and beauty through words.

I am also lucky to of come from good stock and both my Mum and Nan are also great inspiration for different reasons. Nan who saw many things in her life, never passed judgement or complained, but just got on with it in unassuming confidence. She was also a top little crafter too. Mum is one of those specials that would do anything for her child and I know I try and live up to the example with my kids.

My family whether they want me to do things better or push me to be the better version of me. Caleb especially as I have mentioned many times before, makes me more than proud to inspired.

Don't even get me started on my blog roll of fabulous ladies, some who astound me with strength, verve, creativity, humour and humanity. I could list each one but I fear I would forget someone. I really would love to thank them all for the inspiration every week. Sometimes I think that it is easy to forget that there is a person behind the computer that has taken some of their precious time to share.

The irony is that sometimes I think that I have inspiration overload! I end up with so many things in my head that I want to do, so many pieces of pie that I want to eat, that I end up feeling that I do none of them as well as I would like. That though is a small trade off for the benefit.

Thank you so much to Sally for her theme and I am hoping that Jennifer Rose can help us out with next week's theme. You can join in anytime, just add your link after you have posted below so we can all find you and it doesn't matter what day of the week that you do it. Thanks to all the new people that have joined up in the last few weeks too, do go and say hello.

Image from here

My Creative Space

Not all thread is created equal I discovered this week. I went to my local Patchwork shop looking for some Perle 8 to start hand quilting Caleb's quilt and they hardly had any?! In the end I decided to go with this cute two-tone linen. I enquired with the assistant if this would work being a novice - sure she replied there are no rules to quilting. That is my kind of message. I think it is a linen thread, quite thick and with no give in it at all. After a few days persisting and blisters worthy of a whittler I decided to go to a near by needle point shop, admit defeat and get some Perle. I was so annoyed that I had to undo a couple of big squares and wasted time but it is looking much better. So that is all the crafting I have done all week - hundreds of little stitches done and hundreds left to do. I would find it quite relaxing if I didn't have a million other things to do and if every night when I tuck in Caleb he didn't ask if I had finished yet.

More crafty goodness over at the Miss Marple house of Mystery - Kirsty's.

(How cute is that hedgehog fabric that Amy gave me. I so love it on the quilt. Thanks again Amy!)

Eye Spy .. Season Change

Sorry I am late again, I was hoping to post last night but ended up falling asleep at the computer so I went to bed at 9:30 and am still feeling guilty about all those lost hours. The weather was a little warmer on the week-end even though not overly sunny so I innocently put on a skirt. Caleb came running up to me, "Oh mummy you look like a princess" with this funny smile on his face, Poppy was grinning and pulling at my skirt saying "pretty" and Glen asked if I was going out somewhere, which we weren't. I am not sure if that is a compliment or an indication of what they really all think about my usual jeans attire?! Glen is always nagging for me to wear skirts but in winter in Melbourne I always end up in the trusty jeans.

The pictures are from the park yesterday morning, lots of new things blooming and new little ducklings as well.

Thanks so much to Lisa for the great theme, and I am hoping that Sally can help us out with next week's theme. You can join in anytime, just add your link after you have posted below so we can all find you and it doesn't matter what day of the week that you do it.

I seem to keep saying that after the markets or after the 'something' I will have more time but I seem to have less and less so please forgive me for being a less commenty then usual - I am enjoying reading and hope to get on top of everything soon.

My Creative Space

It has been all about Caleb's quilt the last few weeks and I have finally got the top finished but since I want to hand quilt it, there is still a long way to go. Sorry the picture isn't the best, hopefully there will be a bit of Spring sun soon.The top got done last night so Caleb had to test run it this morning. He is so excited, he keeps asking when he can have it so that is spurring me on. He loved picking the backing fabric today and chose a great sunny blue. I am really happy with how it turned out so far, I have to say I was rather nervous that it wouldn't come together as I had hoped. Glen chose the brown borders which was such a better option than the linen, just don't let him know that he was right.

His favourite is this panel which has the coolest barrel of monkeys design that is also a secret pocket so that he can take him Ben 10 figurines or his footy cards to bed and tuck them into the little sister proof hidey holes. Sweet!

More creative goodies over at Kirsty's house. I am contemplating another crafty challenge to give her in what is turning into the crafty decathlon. I think with some op shop finds and a dremel she is unstoppable

Eye Spy ... Something Blooming

I am sorry for being so late this week - eek, I am still trying to figure out when it became September. There is so much that I am busting to share, but I am struggling to find the time at the moment.

Last week, amongst a whole heap of other not so good stuff, we dropped off Caleb's enrollment for Prep next year. He is blooming into a beautiful little boy that I am so proud of. I think that he is going to do super well, despite me. I am going to turn away with my tearful eyes and fill him with nothing but stories of how brilliant he is going to be. I was a little concerned about whether we should hold him back, but he is who he is. The Asperger's Autism that affects his everyday life will be with him every day regardless. I firmly believe that the more structure and the ability to expand his learning at school will do him nothing but good, even if I am as nervous as hell. Unfortunately his current kinder, the only one we could get in, doesn't have any other kids so he will have to start from scratch, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing either.

I was driving him to kinder that other day and he said "Mum I know lots about animals, I am super smart." I agreed like all good mothers should. then he went on "... but people, I don't really get people". I don't think any phrase ever described living with Asperger's better and knowing that he has some concept of it is an actual relief. I got to tell you, I don't get people all the time either. But he is blooming every day, opening himself up wider and brighter the more time he spends in the sun and he will not be the flower that is cut down and brought inside, he has too much to do.

Thanks so much to Holly for such a great theme, and I am hoping that the lovely Lisa (who is having a great giveaway too for her 400th post!) can help us out with next week's theme. You can join in anytime, just add your link after you have posted below so we can all find you and it doesn't matter what day of the week that you do it.

(The picture is me at pre-school, not overly relavent but satisfyingly humiliating all the same. I know you are all jealous of my way cool Holly Hobby dress)