Turning 5

On this day five years ago you came into my world and changed it in oh so many wonderful ways....

and then

in the blink

of

an

eye

you were five

Turning five means celebrating with family

and going to the zoo!

I love you sweet child xxx

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy...

Inspired by the warm and sunny goodness we've been experiencing here in Sydney of late, I've spent the past couple of days making summer dresses.

I used the 'Smocked Sundress' pattern in Heather Ross' Weekend Sewing. I've had the broderie anglaise sitting in my stash for the past three years and decided it was time to use it.

The girls loved their new dresses so much they put them on straight away even though it was starting to cool down outside.

The fabric for this lovely little outfit which will be going to my niece for her birthday comes from a retromummy destash.

I also made a matching pair of 'Ruby's Bloomer's', also from Heather Ross' Weekend Sewing.



Ahhh summer, 'tis a beautiful thing!

Tag - you're it!

I've been tagged by the very talented Rachel of The Two Windmills to tell five things that make me feel fabulous/sexy/beautiful. So here goes...

1. I feel fabulous when I spend time in the garden, with my girls, seeing them learn to love and appreciate Mother Earth




2. I feel fabulous when I make something that someone else really loves - I made this pillow for my cousin's lovely little daughter's baptism last year, she really loved it and appreciated the work put into it


3. There is nothing like a bit of Michael Buble to get me in the mood!!!


4. Being told by my husband of 9 years and partner of 16 (OMG!) that I am beautiful - makes me feel beautiful.

image courtesy of google images

5. The occasional treat at the beauticians makes me feel beautiful


So on to the next five, I have chosen people who's blog I follow and I am really inspired by.

I tag -

Cass - Snailblazer

Sophie - her heart my hands

Gemma - loz and dinny

Tania - Myrtle & Eunice

Samantha - Jettas Nest

my week $$$$o far

Monday's purchases from here and here

Wednesday's from here

$100 doesn't go far these days.... no wonder the bread winner of the family had a 'moment' (or two) when I got home. On the up side I had a lovely day on my own checking out all the stalls.
I met and chatted with Nicole from you sew, girl! (who I also gamely bought a pattern and some bits and pieces from her), Nanette from rummage who does the most amazing free motion sewing/writing (she happily shared tips with me) and I paid a visit to Claire from CraftSchmaft (a craftroom girl) - those little owlettes are adorable, well all her sock softies are adorable really!
I also got talking to the very lovely Cathy from audreyandmaude (loved their sausage dog with puppies) when I went to check out Belinda's (tuttifrutti) stall. I was very disappointed to learn Belinda will only be at the show from Thursday to Saturday - I just know her display will be beautiful. I bought the cute Japanese fabric from Michele of harper & edie , she had a great stall - very different from everything else at the show.
The red fat quarters came from a pack from HobbySew - I have grand intentions of making a red, grey and white quilt..........
Now the lace was a surprise purchase for me, not something I usually work with but it really caught my eye! I got it from the Starr Laces and Ribbons stall and they had some beautifully dyed lace trims sewn to simple white kids singlets that looked fabulous - so another project for the girl's summer wardrobe.....
What I really need now is to actually get stuck into some of these projects I have accumulating!

drum roll please........

and the winner of the little sweetpeas gift bag as generated by the lovely little sweetpeas assistants is.....

the very talented and amusing Gemma of loz and dinny fame. Congratulations Gemma, I'll send you an email soon to get your mailing details.

Thank you to all of you who entered my humble giveaway and read my blog, what a great crafting community!!

my first giveaway

Like the looks of this tote bag? If you'd like to call it your own just enter my very first giveaway by leaving a comment here before 8pm Sydney time tomorrow.

The bag will also contain a couple of goodies, including a fabric covered notebook, a patchwork clutch purse and a lavender scented heat pillow.

good-night and sweet dreams...

I crocheted this baby blanket in record time. It took me just under two weeks, working with no pattern. I was given a similar one when I had my first baby and absolutely loved the delicate pattern and knew that one day I would have to have a go at replicating it.

So when I was invited to a virtual baby shower organised by Cass and Belinda for this crafty mum-to-be I knew straight away what I was going to make!

I really enjoyed making this blanket and was really pleased with how it turned out - so much so that I started doubting I'd be able to let go of it. But then I saw the adorable little bundle I had made it for and packaged it up to be sent to it's rightful owner.

The blanket measures 87cm (34") square so is perfect for in the crib or pram.

To see more hand made baby shower goodies head on over to lottilulu's blog.

Good-night lovely Kitty and sweet dreams.....

A giveaway, a birthday and some 'whale watching'

My favourite Aunt celebrated her 60th birthday last week. We got together with some of the family yesterday to celebrate (I'm the one on the right in the grey cardi for anyone wondering) .

I made her a little sweetpeas gift bag, consisting of - a fabric 'green' shopping bag, a fabric covered journal, a lavender scented heat pillow with removable cover and a patchwork clutch purse embellished with jet lignite buttons passed down to me from my great grandmother (my Aunts grandmother).

I originally made the heat pillow using some Amy Butler fabric but then decided the vintage florals might be more my Aunty's style. So I've decided to have my first giveaway! I will make a little sweetpeas gift bag - all in Amy Butler fabric - to give to one lucky person who leaves a comment on this post. The winner will be drawn next Sunday at 8pm (Australian EST), at random. Good luck!!!

Today we went whale watching at Kurnell. We didn't see any whales but that didn't stop us from having a whale of a time (boom boom!). After walking out across the rocks on the peninsula we had some lunch followed by beach cricket, sand castle building and an ice-cream chaser.

Arabelle the mermaid

Well I've been burning the midnight oil with this one - and Miss A has been getting up extra early every morning this week to check my progress (little darling that she is!). Finished it last night at 12.30am only to be told this morning her hair was too floppy (??), she had a nose like a pig and her bra was too small - #$%&*. Next time I won't be telling her I'm making her something, I'll just give it to her when it's done.

I purchased the pattern for this amigurumi mermaid on-line from here.

I think she's cute anyway!