Finally some sun

We finally got some sun in Melbourne so Poppy and I attacked the park and enjoyed the day. She is off for her first morning of child care today and I am a little nervous to say the least. I am sure she will enjoy the interaction, not so sure how she will cope with the separation.
She also got to wear her new dress from the super sweet Sophie! It is so perfect - you can see her at Sydney's Mathilda's Market on Sunday. There will be lots of other great creative people and some of my favourite bloggers, I am a little jealous I can't go this time.

My Creative Space

I am still mucking around with Poppy's picnic blanket. I have bought on EBay this week a cute picnic basket that I can fill with crockery and felt food so I am pretty excited (sad but true).

The plans have changed a little though, I was originally going to add in all the fabric bits that I had, but after Glen turned his nose up at it, asking what the very busy thing was. I am thinking I may stick to just red, pink and duck egg blue, still busy but the green and yellow was really distracting. Glen then suggested that it should be much bigger for everyone to sit on, and I have been thinking that may be a valid point so Inow it will be twice as big. Off to Perle 8's tonight, scrap box and rotary cutter in tow.

More creative spaces over at Kirsty's house, be quick because she IS moving in to a new house tomorrow!

My Place and Yours - 2 for 1

Gee when you write my place 2 for 1 it sounds a little dodgier than I think that it should! I have been meaning to join in with Pip's new meme for a week and a half now and I have finally gotten around to it.

This is the shelf above my computer, where I spend most of my day. I have my beloved Black Apple brother and sister and a collection of statues that Glen has bought me over the years - I am not sure why he does, I am not really an ornament kinda girl, but I love them all. The set of green canisters belonged to my Nan and one of my favourite possessions, except they hold pencils instead of sago.The bedside is a little less interesting but I didn't want to style. These are all that's left from a beautiful bunch of flowers that Glen got me when we went out to dinner weeks ago. The orchids have seen better days but I still can't throw them out, I think that they are still divine. The other table has a TV and DVD player on it, which we never watch. Poppy likes to sit down there and chill out in her own little space, big brother free. She wont watch TV (Wiggles not included), but will watch DVD's ?? At least it gives me chance to get some stuff done without "Poppy do" being screeched at you. So if anyone is in the mood for a little Thomas before bed (the tank engine that is, in case there are anymore like minds with Liesl), you know where to go. Bought to you by the fabulous Queen Lexi and the kingdom of endless roadside rubbish.

Eye Spy ... Something Cuddly

It has been cuddly around here for all the wrong reasons today with the house in sickness. Poppy had a cold and came out in spots earlier in the week and then came good on Thursday - thank goodness for that as we made it to the great quilt unveiling on Friday night. Even though I didn't make a square seeing it in person was still really special. Poppy spent the whole time eating chips and running around having a ball. We hit the zoo on Saturday then that night Caleb started looking a little shaky. Now they both seem to have it and Glen as well. This is the 2 complaining boys curled up on the couch today while Poppy was having a snooze. Two peas in a pod, my boys.

Thanks to the lovely Bek for this week and I am hoping the fabulous Anastasia can help me out with next week. Can't wait to see and as always 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.

My Creative Space

One of the Christmas present ideas I have for Poppy is a picnic quilted rug to double as a place for tea parties and a little spot of morning tea at the park. I have been rummaging through the scrap box to see what I can find though I did love the idea of fabric shopping I wanted to explore the stash and scraps first. I had drawn up a quilt pattern on the computer, which is how I plan all my quilts. I want to challenge myself instead to make an abstract, unplanned one - I am in no way a perfectionist, but I do like to think through my ideas before I throw myself in. The best from the pile is coming to Perle 8's tonight (weather permitting, and by weather I mean Poppy) for me to Multi-task into usable shapes.

More creative goodies at Kirsty's. I am hoping I can make it to the Redwork tomorrow night, depending on the Poppy-factor as well.

Thank you for all the lovely supportive comments after yesterday. Today I am feeling much more buoyant and I have a plan in place, just have to make it to Christmas - easy!

Holding Breath

I have been trying to decide whether I should write this post or not, I like the weather around here to be nice and sunny. Lately though I feel like I am struggling to keep myself above water. I think that something has to give and that is ok. I really love doing the markets and am looking forward to the end of November, but I think that will be it for at least a year. I have lots of things I want to make for Christmas and Caleb's 5th birthday extravaganza.

There are only 24 hours in the day for me to fit in full time drafting, full time mum, keeping the house in some kind of order and sewing part-time and trying to blog and keep up with commenting. Poppy is sick and testing the 'terrible 2' to it's limits demanding a lot of my energy. The year has gone so quick as I try to shoe horn as much as possible in and I realised that I have are no babies left anymore, they are growing up so fast and I want to have as much fun as I can with them.

I am on the roundabout where no matter where I divide my time I feel like I should be spending it doing something else. Next year will be such a breath of fresh air, Caleb will be at Prep much closer to home, I am hoping Poppy will be able to handle a few mornings at child care and the sewing can become a fun hobby again.

Please forgive me the whinge, at the heart of it I am so lucky to be able to work from home and spend time with my kids. I am so lucky to have a hubby who supports my crafty endeavours or whatever I choose to do. I am so lucky to have fabulous bloggy friends and craft groups.

Until then I will keep treading water.

How amazing is this image

Eye Spy .. Bed

I am not sure that Miss Muggins had this in mind for her theme but the kids clambered into our bed this morning - that is pretty rare at our house as they are usually too busy running around. We all got a gorgeous snuggle until Caleb rolled over and started laughing. "Mum, did you know that your belly is just like jelly". Hmm yes thanks for that! Kids I tell you, they never leave the house the same as they left it. The much sweeter Jelly's above from here, ironically they are called Jelly Bellys.

I am hoping that the adorable Bek can help us out with next weeks theme. Can't wait to see and as always 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.

On a much cuter topic, here are our guinea pig babies 2 weeks old with Mama.

My Creative Space

It has all been about spring and sunshine this week and look at this beautiful Melbourne Spring day, how could it not be! Not that I am complaining, our house doesn't like sweating.

I bought this fabric this week from the fab Kelaini and am actually going to make myself a dress - shock horror - sewing for me. I was feeling a little inspires after seeing Sophie's wardrobe efoorts. It may take a few months until I get to it on my list but I do have a serious love affair with this material.

Madly making dresses for the Mathilda's Market too, hmm perhaps I should line them with polar fleece. At least the bright colours are a splash of things to come. I was hoping to get a few more finished last night, but Poppy was being so mean to Caleb (a little actin gout since Nana left on Monday) that he got to sleep in our bed and it got to 9:30 (early for me) and both the boys looked so cozy I couldn't resist but jumping in too.

More creative spaces at the Kirsty's house. Pop over and give her a :-)

Guinea pig update - we do have 2 girls so Sid was the 2 for 1 kind of deal, well 5 for 1 really. We have 2 girls and 1 boy and the other she needs to re-check when they get a bit bigger. I think the little girls will stay and since we don't want a repeat the boys can move on to new homes.

The Birds, The Bees and The Guinea Pigs

I bought out the babies this morning for Caleb as soon as he got up. He is an absolute Mother hen and adores them so much. They have been christened Smoo, Smudge, Smuzzie and Mo. I spoke to the pet shop and she is confident that they are both girls so I am taking them all in tomorrow. She thinks that she may of been pregnant when I bought her as the breeder didn't separate them from 4 weeks of age. We may have to buy another cage so we can have a boy camp and a girl camp. The other option is a stiff drink of whiskey and some ice packs for the boys after a trip to the vet and a scalpel.

Caleb's take on guinea pig birth - The ones that look like Sid are hatched from Sid's eggs and the ones that look like Dave from Dave's eggs and perhaps they would like to go to the shop tonight to get some more babies so that he can have 5 tomorrow. I tried to explain that they came from Sid's tummy and that was why she was so big and that they have to spend time with their Mummy so she can feed them. I got a cold blank stare, followed by "Don't be ridiculous!"

My take on guinea pig birth - I am not ashamed to say I once coveted the life of a guinea pig. Eat all you want, have someone clean your house, let out little chirps and food arrives, it doesn't sound all that bad let me tell you. I didn't read the fine print though - pregnant at 6 weeks old with a 2 month gestation and then quite often knocked up again within 12 hours of birth - that deal doesn't sound so good any more.

The Expanding Bug and Pop Family

Ever felt there was an extra sausage at the picnic - well it appears Sid and Dave are in fact Sydney and Dave. I was a little concerned that Sid may of been sick as she was getting very fat. Mum suggested that maybe she was pregnant, I think my reply was "Don't be ridiculous, they are 2 girls". Look what Glen found running around the hutch, just in time as one tried to escape out the mesh. Four little babies, so hard to take photos of, I will try again tomorrow. They are so cute and soft and already eating food and eyes open and covered in fur. Caleb was already tucked up in bed when we found them so I suspect that he will be a very proud daddy. I am off to get my official Nana concession card. If only I new sooner and I could of gotten her guinea pig bump photo taken at my fellow GP fan's house.

Eye Spy ... My Favourite Corner of the House

I think that I have to say this newly decorated outside bit that you can see from our lounge, especially since Glen decided to spend a small fortune on it today.

My other favourite place is the teddy bear pile in the kids room where we read our nighly bed time stories. It is a bit of a double edge sword though - it is also the spot where Poppy unleashes a diva attack a-la Naomi Campbell if she feels like it on a tired Caleb. Tonight though she was sitting on Caleb's lap while he played with her hair, so sweet - and my camera battery was flat.

I am hoping that Miss Muggins can help us out with next weeks theme. Can't wait to see and as always 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.

Here Come the Clowns

Guess who went to the circus with Dad last week-end. It was a boy only adventure. I think he enjoyed the jumping castle before the circus started the best, but the hula hoop lady in the sparkly outfit seems to of left quite an impression. He only made it to intermission before the sensory overload of lights and sounds but that hardly seems the point with a smile like that.

Note - That is me, not a clown with Caleb sporting a flashing clown nose.

My Creative Space

I have been trying to take the last market of the year casually, but I fear I am an all or nothing kinda gal. I will try not to drown you in it. I had it in my brain the market was on the 29th but it is actually on the 22nd November, which I had convinced myself was a long way off. Hmmm not so much. I have been trying some new designs out this week for new girl dresses. I am constantly trying to weigh up detail and design versus time and actually making some money. I think these couple of prototypes and one that Poppy has inherited will look quite sweet when finished.

More creativity over at Kirsty's house - you can book mark her now you know (boom boom)

Eye Spy ... My Front Door

Eek, when did it become Wednesday, when did it become October. Karin picked such a great theme I am annoyed it has taken me this long to get around to it. I have been working hard on some market stuff before Mum leaves on Monday and Poppy goes into Nana withdrawals. Anyway here is our front door, we rent so it isn't really ours is it I guess.
Glen's beloved plants by the front door are his last green thumb left after the kids. He use to love doing his bonsai but since the kids finding the time and a place high enough to not have assistance means that he only had one left. He loves a garden centre like I love a fabric shop though.
Our collection of painted tile fairy and cats greet you at the front door. The carved hands are one of my favourite possessions that we got at a little shop in Hawthorne ages ago.
My DIY paintings with masking tape to brighten the entrance next to the coat rack of furry jackets.

The screen door is apparently great for climbing according to the smaller residents. Caleb one day got his head caught in it. I had to olive oil up his little head to try and squeeze it back in again - quite funny in hindsight.

Since I am so late I thought I might pick next week's theme. "Eye spy ... a favourite corner in my house". Can't wait to see and as always 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.

My Creative Space

Thank you for all your lovely comments on Caleb's quilt yesterday. So today's creative space is the beginnings, not overly creative looking is it. I finally got a chance to put most of my fabric stash into some assemblance of order.

Pile of fabric for Poppy's quilt as she is most upset that Caleb has a new 'pillow'

Pile of fabric for summer market inspiration, wishing there was a pile of inspiration in there too, but once I get started I am sure the motivation will too.

Pile of fabric for kids summer wardrobe and Glen is feeling unloved and wants some shirts.

Hmmm so much for enjoying the glow of the big completed project - no rest for the wicked.

More creative places over at Kirst's.