One More Sleep

for Oliver

number 6 for my six year old

sneak preview of the dino on his bed

for Lucy

sneak preview on her bed

My twins Oliver and Lucy turn 6 in one more sleep. This time 6 years ago I was very heavily pregnant and exhausted. But I was so excited at the prospect of meeting the two little people I had been carrying for so long inside. I went into hospital on the Thursday evening so I could rest, but I did not sleep a wink all night. On Friday the 5th of November 2004 at 8.28am and 8.32am my life changed dramatically in the most amazing way.

Six years on and lots has happened in that time, both good and bad. But this is a happy post and so I want to show you what I have been making for them for their birthday tomorrow.

Oliver is receiving a dinosaur with a number 6 on its bum that was inspired by Jacki at Monkeemoo (check out her sons gorgeous orange dinosaur). Lucy is receiving a doll using the pattern from here. I am sad to say that both softies were a rushed job, had I allowed more time I am sure I could have done a better job.

However, I know they will not notice the imperfections and in hindsight that probably makes the gifts even more special as they are unique. I can say they were made with so much love for each of them.

My children love everything that I make, and for that reason they would not make good critics, so lucky for me. I have taken some sneak preview shots for you all of the toys on their beds. And now I have wrapped them and hand made a card each for them.

I can't wait for tomorrow to see their faces when they open their special gift from Mummy !!!

Purple Rain

It's a great song, Purple Rain, and it looks like its raining purple in my street when the Jacarandas are in full bloom.

I can see a couple of Jacarandas from my backyard too. I took this photo below as I sat on my daybed and sipped a glass of red wine a couple of Sundays ago. I don't often take the time to just sit and do nothing so it was a really nice change. The sunshine in the late afternoon, the mountains in the distance and the purple Jacarandas are a great combination.

I will never tire of the view from my back deck - how could I !!!

An early Christmas Present

I was so excited a couple of days ago to find out that I had won a Giveaway from A Christy Production. It arrived in the mail yesterday. It was loaded with goodies, Hand made christmas cards, hair clips, doilies, buttons, paper goodies, fabric and ribbon, beads and all sorts of things. It was lots of fun opening it up and going through everything (and I thought the prize was four christmas cards and two hair clips - NOT !). Christy had been telling little lies, and the prize was so much more. Since becoming a Mum most presents in this house are for the children. It's nice every now and then to get one for myself. Thanks Christy, it was certainly a fantastic hamper of goodies that I can definitely use.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS !!!!!

This white kitchen dresser in the back of this photo is now MINE and I am so excited. I can't wait to get it delivered. It takes me back to my childhood days at my Nans house. She had a yellow one just like it. I used to spend hours rummaging through the drawers and cupboards looking at all her goodies. She was a bit of a hoarder, (like me) and she kept all sorts of things in that cupboard held together with rubber bands or twine or in a cute little tin or box or whatever she had. So that is one reason that I needed to have this dresser. The other is that I have been looking for a kitchen dresser for quite some time, but never found one that I liked (and that I could afford). So today when I FINALLY found this one and decided I had to have it, I was worried that my husband would not agree. I took a photo, SMS'd it to him and awaited for the reply. He rang, listened to me dribble on about all the reasons why we should have it and how good it would look and that it would fit just perfectly. And, I was a bit stunned, he didn't argue. He said YES ! So when it arrives in the next day or so I will take a better photo of it and post for you to see.

Inside one of the cupboards - I love the old style latch handles

The silver cutlery that my mother-in-law handed down to us a couple of years ago will go just beautifully in the top drawer that has dividers built into it just for that purpose.

Last week I popped in to one of my favourite op shops to see if they had anything that I could hang some clothing on for the upcoming Mammas Markets. They didn't have anything that would work. However, they did have a cute old mirror which had just come in, and I had been thinking about getting one of these for a little while. It has a cute little butterfly and flower pattern in frosted etched glass, and I think it will work beautifully in Lucys bedroom. Or maybe it will go nicely in my bedroom. I just can't decide. Sorry the pics aren't too good but photographing a mirror is not easy. I just can't resist a good opportunity when it presents itself like these two little finds, and I just had to share these with you all.

Whats New !

Y and I managed to get a photoshoot in this morning. I have to say I am loving some of the colours with these beautiful fabrics I got in Malaysia. Thought I would share a couple of my favourite pics with you all. This dress is so simple. The fabric moves in the most beautiful way. The colours are to die for.

I love this simple shot of the neckline

On the left here you can just see the outline of the embossed flower - it's a lovely detail.

This top I actually made a couple of months ago but never got around to photographing it. J has modelled it beautifully today and Y has captured it in this photograph. Once again it is a simple design but with a nice frill detail on the sleeve. It flows beautifully and I think it goes great with denim and lace.

I want one of these for moi !!!!!!

MASTERCHEF !!!!!!!

Yesterday, before I got stuck into sewing for Mammas Markets, I did some cooking. I cook every day (except on weekends when my husband takes over - yay!). It was our dinner which we eventually ate that evening, but firstly it had to get photographed for a new magazine that is about to hit the Sunshine Coast. I can't say too much more at the moment but I can give you a sneak peek. I just hope that the photos they took look better than mine. My husband had the great idea of using the banana leaf on the platter. Two minutes before the photographer is due to arrive I plate up and then take this photo, I SMS it to my husband with the message HELP !!! I was struggling to get it looking right. He suggested the asparagus were too long, and there was too much chicken on the platter. And I hear a knock at the door, the photographer has arrived, it's too late. I feel like a contestant on the Masterchef - my time is up, and I have to stand away from the dish. So, that was that, the best thing was no-one had to taste it - what a relief. Actually, it wasn't too bad, I have cooked it a thousand times before, it's my mother-in-laws recipe, a home styled szechuan chicken dish that you cannot buy in a restaurant. I have to say though that my husband can cook it a thousand times better than me, maybe he should have been the star chef. I will post the recipe on my blog when I get around to typing it up - one day !

What have you been eating lately !

We went out for breakfast recently to here. It's my favourite breakfast spot on the sunny coast. The view is to die for, great wait staff, lovely decor and the food is also pretty fabulous. Lucy enjoys her kids serve of pancakes, maple syrup and cream....

I had the sweet corn fritters, bacon, balsamic vinegar (not the cheap stuff) and avocado salsa. Yum Yum. Oh, also, the best ever expresso iced coffee I have ever tried.

Then on Sunday we were invited to a friends place for lunch. We ate this beautiful pear tart (after the main meal - sorry my pics are out of order here).

And also this French chicken dish created by Gordon Ramsay (but reproduced to perfection by Esther)

The berries accompanied the pear tart and there was cream too. A few glasses of white wine, children playing and happy chatter - a lovely end to the weekend.

Amys new home

Well I have finally decided where Amy (my softie from the recent softie swap) should live. She has her place on my bed, with my pillow I made from a Japanese Kimono. I thought the orange and pink in the cushion matched nicely with Amys dress and shoes, so here she will stay. Plus it's the only way that I may stand a chance of keeping my daughter from playing with her - she is mine after all !!!!!

Softie Swap is complete and my doll has a name

Well here they are - Amy on the left and Olivander on the right - the results of the recent Clip Cafe Softie Swap. I made the owl for my softie swap partner Allie - and she made Miss Amy for me. I think I got the better deal.

I took a quick pic of them together before I sent Olivander off on his flight to Victoria to his new home where I am sure he will be happy. I have just decided on the name Amy - earlier today the name Amy was floating around in my head. Then I received an email from Allie to tell me that her parcel had arrived, and that her daughter AMY liked the little flower that I popped on his butt. So there it is, Amy is the name for my beautiful new doll. The softie swap has been lots of fun, it's so lovely to get a complete surprise in the mail. I'm looking forward to the next one. But in the meantime I think I need to get some practice in on softies.....

Want a lollypop ???

I ONLY HAVE GREEN ONES !!!

I have to introduce you to Kristy from Green Lollypop. She will have you drooling for one of her Green Lollypop designs.

Wall art for your childrens bedroom - so cute, and she posts for free - how fantastic is that !!!

She has designs for both boys and girls, and this is just the beginning of her new collection. What a great idea for a gift for a newborn or a christmas gift for your little one.

Follow the link above to her website, you'll be glad you did.

Mammas Markets - December 18th at Buderim

I have started sewing madly for the Mammas Markets coming up in December at Buderim. This is a sneek peak of the skirts I will be taking along to sell - a cute little chenille skirt complete with heart applique. Lucy loves it - its so comfortable and soft to wear. I am planning also to make some matching beach bags from the chenille complete with matching appliques.

Don't forget, this is a great opportunity to get yourself some special christmas gifts for friends and family and you can support the local crafties at the same time. Why give mass produced stuff when you can give a unique gift handmade with love.

My Softie Swap has arrived and she needs a name

My first ever softie swap, co-ordinated by the Clip Cafe, is now complete. I have received my beautiful doll from Allie - and I have now posted my softie off to her - of course I cannot say what it is as she has not received it yet. I have to say I am nervously awaiting her response - as I feel my softie is a bit of a let down in comparison to this beautiful doll she has sewn for me. Receiving a doll like this for my very own makes me feel like a little girl again and now I just need to find her a name. If anyone has any good suggestions, please leave me a comment.

Next week I will post pics of the softie I created for Allie - stay tuned !

THE WINNER OF MY RECENT GIVEAWAY IS.......

MONKEEMOOMOO !!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS TO MONKEEMOOMOO. You get to choose a skirt from any one of the following fabrics pictured below in a size of your choice (size 1 - 8). Just email to let me know which fabric you have chosen and what size you like and I will whip it up in the next week or so. Thanks everyone for your participation, I have enjoyed looking at the blogs you all suggested in your comments whilst sitting here with my broken foot with nothing else to do - it was tough !!!!!!

1. Green and cream floral

2. pink, yellow, blue, green floral

3. green, yellow and blue floral

4. pink, yellow, mauve floral

5. lime, yellow and mauve floral

6. red and yellow floral

7. red, green, pink, yellow coral

Z is for Zac

This was a custom order I did for the 1st birthday of a friends nephew. An Amy Butler gumdrop cushion is a great gift for a childs birthday or Christmas, especially if you personalise it with their name and use fabrics geared towards children. My kids have one each in our TV room and they love them. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Haiti kids receive dolls

I just wanted to share this story I found this morning whilst searching for ideas for my Softie Swap on The Clip Cafe. I came across this lady called Sarah from dolly donations, and she has a heart of gold. Follow the link here to see what she is doing for the children in Haiti. It's very touching and I have to say it's so wonderful that there are people like her on the earth. She wanted to make 180 dolls to send to the kids in Haiti, she ended up with over 500 dolls from generous ladies around the globe.