Meika's Little Treasures

Acacia tops and Sprinkle Skirts

2012-01-10T15:43:00.001+11:00

I had these little outfits planned from before Christmas but I simply ran out of time to get it all finished. The tops have been done for almost a month but the skirts just didn’t happen before Christmas. I am glad that I didn’t try and squeeze them in as the hand stitching took a lot longer than i thought it would. Probably about 2-3 hours per skirt! It was so simple but pretty time consuming.

The tops are the Acacia pattern by Georgie Hallam. They are so gorgeous and the fit is just great. My girls seem to have pretty sensitive skin but the Bendigo Cotton that I knit these is is very soft and doesn’t irritate them at all. I love that this outfit is the favourite at the moment. Nothing better than seeing your kids love what you made for them!

The skirts are based on the Mary Lee skirt by Viola Lee patterns. The pattern is for a double layered skirt but I wanted something more simple that they could pretty much slip on with any of their summer tops but I didn’t want them to be too plain so I added the hand stitching so make them a little more special. I also made one for Eve but I haven’t knit her top so I decided not to photograph hers until I get it done!

For the stitching I just chose 5 colours for Pearle Cotton(which really isn’t very cheap!) to match the yarn I used for the tops and did a simple running stitch around the bottom of the skirt.It is very much inspired by this skirt I found on Pinterest.

I actually took 1 inch off the lengths in the pattern and if I make them again(which I think I will, in some pretty prints) I will take at least another 1-2 inches off. I think they sit just a little too long.

Sprinkle Stitches

2012-01-08T16:23:00.001+11:00

Just a little sneak peak of what I am up to today. It is very relaxing sitting in the sun doing a little hand stitching!

I hope to finish tonight and maybe I will get time tomorrow to photograph the finished items!

Oliver & S Ice Cream Dress

2012-01-07T07:00:00.000+11:00

I totally adore how this dress came out. I had a picture in my mind of how I wanted it to look and I purchased the fabric online. I was a little worried that the colours wouldn’t be what I thought they would be because you really can’t always count on the photos you see on the screen being exactly like the actual fabric but I was very pleased when it all arrived.

I played around with the colour order for a bit and finally settled on this. I definitely wanted a darker colour near her face and on the hem to help keep it looking clean and I think this works well.

It went together really well and quite quickly too. I love the finishing details and how as many seams as possible are enclosed. It makes the dress (even the inside) look so neat!

I will definitely be making this one again, in fact I have already pulled a couple of possible fabric combos out of my stash. Now I just need to decide!

Tuscan Apple Cake

2012-01-06T17:16:00.001+11:00

Oh my this is REALLY yummy! Not very good for my waistline though. We are off on a family holiday to Queensland in a week and a half and there will be plenty of time spent in bathers…my body did not need this cake (or the ice cream I had with it!). Oh well I will just have to jump on the treadmill tomorrow I think(and hide the rest of the cake!).

I saw this delicious and very easy cake on a blog (I totally can’t remember which one!) and it looked delicious so I pinned it (as I do with everything these days!). Yesterday my husband came home with a bag of apples only to discover that we already had one in the cupboard. So I just had to make an apple cake and this was the perfect one as I used 7 apples! Yes that isn’t a typo, I actually used 7 apples! The recipe calls for 4 small apples which weigh a total of 910g…well 4 apples weighed about half of this so I went with the weight and not the number. The result? A super moist very appley cake!

So here is the Recipe(the original recipe is from over here)

Tuscan Apple Cake

2 tablespoons Butter
13⁄4 cups (200 grams) flour
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (140 grams) Sugar
2 large Eggs
120 ml Milk
2 teaspoons Baking powder
1 teaspoon Baking soda
Grated zest of 1 lemon
910 grams Apples(this was 7 of my apples)

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Prepare a 20cm round cake pan.

Using an electric mixer beat the 2/3 cup (130 grams) sugar and the eggs until creamy and light yellow. Beat in the flour, milk, baking powder, baking soda, and lemon zest. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Peel and core the apples. Dice one and sprinkle it over the batter. Cut the remaining apples into thin slices and spread them in a neat pattern over the diced apples in the pan. Scatter thin pats of butter over the apples and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Bake for about 75 minutes, until dark golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. ( I found that 75 minutes was too long and the base of my cake was a little overcooked. I would check it after 60 minutes and see if it needs any longer)

52 in 52

2012-01-04T23:48:00.002+11:00

This is my (or one of) new years resolution! I aim to complete 52 knitting or crochet projects in 52 weeks! There will definitely be some smaller projects among them such as hats and dolls clothes but I also want to knit a few things for me this year. I don’t think this is really too hard but I will have to be organised and not have the in between project times where I can not knit for a couple of weeks at times!

Source: d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net via Meika on Pinterest

I already have 3 things on the needles so I am right for projects for a little while. These were all started last year but I have decided that is ok. I just have to complete 52 with the space of 12 months.

Source: kbaird.com via Meika on Pinterest

The only challenge I think I will have is also fitting in my sewing! Since my Christmas sewing I have fallen back in love with my sewing machine so I will have to find a way to balance my sewing and knitting time!

Source: flickr.com via Meika on Pinterest

I have started a project on Ravelry to keep track of it all and my list of potential projects is already huge! So you can expect 1 post a week (on average!) with a completed item! How exciting is that!

Source: google.fr via Meika on Pinterest

Victoria Ruffled Clutch (and a pattern sale or two!)

2011-12-30T15:34:00.001+11:00

I love to make gifts. I wish a were a little more organised and could do it more often. I really should write down friends birthdays so I can plan and make things for them. I tend to leave things to the last minute though and end up having to buy something.

I made these two clutched for two of my Sisters in law. I totally fell in love with them and didn’t want to give them away. I think I will be ordering some more fabric to make another for myself!

The pattern is the Victoria Clutch by I think Sew. The are having a sale at the moment…50% off all patterns! I bought up big yesterday!

The fabric is a linen blend I purchased off an Esty store called Unique Shiny and it comes from South Korea. This was the second time I had purchased from this store and both times it has come well packed and really quickly too. Lots of gorgeous stuff in her store so be sure to check it out.

While we are on the topic of sales sewingpatterns.com is having a sale on Simplicity patterns, they are only 99c each! Postage is a killer but for 10 patterns I paid $3.70 each including postage which is pretty good!

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-25T22:49:00.001+11:00

I hope you have all had a wonderful day with friends and family! We have and now everyone in my house is fast asleep. I should be too but I do enjoy the quiet!

Vintage FQ Giveaway winner!

2011-12-17T19:08:00.001+11:00

And the winner is…..comment 133!(via random.org)

Steph said...

I can't get enough of vintage fabrics! Thanks for the giveaway!

Thanks Steph I will be in contact and will get your prize in the post soon!

Give Away! - CLOSED

2011-12-15T17:08:00.003+11:00

This giveaway is now closed
The winner is comment 133

Steph said...: I can't get enough of vintage fabrics! Thanks for the giveaway!

I totally forgot about giveaway day! I think I was a little preoccupied with those scarves! Anyway, better late than never I say.
I have these 7 vintage FQ’s in blues and greens to give away. They are mostly cut from sheets I think and would look gorgeous incorporated into a quilt or bag or even as a feature on a little girls dress.

How to enter

All you need to do is leave a comment, simple as that!
I am willing to ship internationally
Please leave your email address if it isn’t already linked to your profile.
Entries will close 12 midday EDST on Saturday 17th Dec (this is equal to 5pm 16th Dec PST as per Sew Mama Sew guidelines)

I will email the winner by Sunday, you will have 3 days to get back to me and then I will draw another so make sure you check your emails!

Don't forget to head over to Sew Mama Sew and enter some of the other giveaways too!

EXTREME KNITTING!

2011-12-14T22:16:00.001+11:00

So you know that list I made? Well I haven’t done anything off it! I don’t know what gets into me but I think I am just ultra good at procrastinating! Seeing a gorgeous scarf a fellow Raveler had made for her daughters teacher I was inspired to do the same. This was a week ago…and no it wasn’t just 1 scarf, it was THREE! Elsa has two gorgeous assistants in the class and I wanted to make one for each of them too.

My lovely friend Jess came to my rescue and made one of them for me which was wonderful as I wouldn’t have got a third done in time. The other two were up to me to make. I finished the first on Monday, hmmm that is 2 days until school finishes..could I do it? Not one to walk away from a challenge I was up late on Monday casting on the 3rd scarf. Tuesday my house…well lets just say than not a lot got done. Elsa was very good at telling the other girls that I was busy knitting for her teachers so I got quite a bit done but I didn’t actually cast off until this afternoon at 1:00pm!! I had to leave to pick Elsa up at 2:00pm! It NEEDED blocking. The lace wasn’t open at all and it would curl up and twist! So I washed it in hot water and put it in the washing machine for a good spin then i pinned it out under the heat pump(turned right up!) and got out the hairdryer! I am happy to say that an hour later it was dry and wrapped!

CLEARANCE SALE!

2011-12-11T15:15:00.001+11:00

Some of you might know that I run a little business on the side selling pettiskirts and sometimes some other little girls clothes. Tonight from 8pm EDST I will be having a clearance sale! We are moving house and I don’t want to take it all with me. Some items will be 50% off so there will be plenty of bargains to be had to head on over to Princess Boo and pick up something for Christmas for your little girl.

Giveaway Day!

2011-12-08T14:38:00.001+11:00

Sew, Mama, Sew! Is hosting a giveaway day on Dec 12th. If you want to join in then head over and read all the details and be sure to call back here on the 12th to see what I am going to giveaway!

She’s making a list…

2011-12-06T22:37:00.001+11:00

…she’s checking it twice

Ok so I am not Santa but I tell you what, a few of those helpers would be lovely this time of year.

This year I am making quite a few of my gifts. I am afraid a few of them won’t be able to be shared here until after they are given as the recipients might see them!

I can however share my list of what I plan to make for my girls. They are too young to read my blog!

The older two are getting Australian Girl Dolls for their main gift. They arrived yesterday and they are SO gorgeous! My husband thinks I bought them for myself and just maybe there is a little bit of truth to that. I know if we had a son he would be buying toys for himself too!

The dolls need clothes and so do my girls so I plan a few matching outfits! I have ordered this pattern and both of the older girls will be getting this dress with a matching one for the dolls.

Source: modkidboutique.com via Meika on Pinterest

I love the circle skirt for how easy it is to make and how gorgeous the finished product is and my girls love how they twirl so I have matching skirts planned for them too. I am hoping to be able to make an Eden singlet to match as well.

Eve will also be getting a dress and some clothes for her teddy. They won’t be matching but at 22 months I am sure it won’t be an issue. I have chosen the Ice Cream Dress by Oliver + S for her. I have ordered fabric in 4 different plain colours and plan to make hers like view B with a different colour for each strip.

I hope to be able to fit in a Milo and a Rainbow dress or two for the dolls as well…I will see how I go I think as I have to knit a shawl and sew a few other gifts as well!

I do so love surprises!

2011-12-04T08:41:00.001+11:00

Don’t you just love getting a surprise parcel in the mail. It really doesn’t happen that often but it is so so exciting when it does. I have a lovely friend who lives in the UK and occasionally she will send me something, like just before my brothers wedding when I was heavily pregnant with Eve and I couldn’t find anything to wear she sent me a gorgeous dress and it was just perfect! She is pretty special!

Anyway, back to my surprise that turned up yesterday. I participated in a knitting accessories swap on Ravelry and yesterday I received my parcel! I actually thought that it was just my order I had placed with Red Riding Hood yarns as my swap partner happened to be the lovely Hannah who dyes the most gorgeous yarn. But when opening my parcel I discovered and extra one full of gorgeousness!

There was chocolate too, but that is already gone.

Thanks Hannah I totally love it!

Oh and the gorgeous little skeins of yarn match the petite set that I ordered off her…how thoughtful is that.

A little pre-Christmas challenge!

2011-12-01T10:29:00.001+11:00

I really am not a big junk food eater but at this time of the year it can sneak in a little so to combat that I am giving myself a little challenge. I found this on Pinterest and I will actually be doing it until Christmas Eve. I hope to loose a little and hopefully these habits will stick over the Christmas period and I won’t gain!

Source: weheartit.com via Bec on Pinterest

Three Stitches

2011-12-01T10:23:00.001+11:00

My brave little Isla split her head open on Tuesday night. She was meant to be sleeping but was jumping on the bed. I heard a bang and a scream and when I went in there was blood everywhere! I scooped her up and looked at her head to find a very deep split. Josef was out side doing the lawns so I ran outside and yelled at him to get an ambulance. He freaked when he saw me running towards him with a child covered in blood and ran inside and rang them. We then rang my mum to look after the other 2 girls so we could both go with her.

The ambulance took 45mins(another reason to move closer to the city!) but the bleeding had stopped by then. She was assessed and it was decided that she would go in our car and they would follow us.

When we got there we got a bed pretty quickly (about 10:30) and Isla went off to sleep but we didn’t get seen properly until 3:30 and it was decided that stitches were needed as it was too deep(full thickness).

She had to be wrapped and held down and it was pretty distressing for all of us. But my brave little girl now has 3 stitches in her head. We didn’t get home until 4:45 and Eve woke at 7:30 for the day so not much sleep was had.

Ditty Bag

2011-11-29T15:01:00.001+11:00

I am a pattern collector (and pinner!). I have a rather large box of sewing patterns and most of them have never been used. I do get them out from time to time while I am browsing fabric shops online to match fabric to patterns but so many times I never actually get to sewing them…a bit sad really. Maybe if I spent less time on Pinterest, Ravelry and Facebook I would get more done!

One of those patterns that I had pinned a while ago was the Ditty Bag. It is acute little top zippered pouch with a hanging loop. Perfect for storing knitting accessories! So when I signed up for a knitting accessory swap on Ravelry I knew I had to make one for my partner!

Although I own a few Keyka Lou patterns this was the first I have actually sewn(see I told you I was a pattern collector!) and i found the photos and directions very easy to follow. I could make it without having to think too much.

This is now on it’s way to my swapee! I hope she likes it!

I now want one for all my bits and pieces but with my huge list of things to make for Christmas I think it will have to wait until after Christmas!

I made it for ME!

2011-11-26T17:02:00.001+11:00

I am so super excited that I finally made something for myself! After sewing that dress for my 30th and having it actually fit me I was all inspired to sew for myself again. It did take me a while to actually get around to it though. Talking to my SIL I discovered that she too wanted to make herself some skirts for the summer and we had another friend who was interested too so we got together last week for a skirt sewing evening. To be honest only one of use got much sewing done and it wasn’t me! I did get my pattern drafted and my SIL made good progress on one of the gifts she is making for my girls for Christmas so it was a productive evening anyway. The next morning everything was still out so I decided to get stuck into it even though I had all 3 kids around. It only took a couple of hours so I was pretty pleased.

The skirt is a combination of the circle skirt from MADE and this tutorial changing it into a wrap skirt. I had to cut two semi circles(donuts) as my fabric wasn’t wide enough and if I make another(which I am pretty certain that I will) I will change how I put it together as how I like to tie it the seam sits right at the front. It doesn’t really matter as you can’t see it very well anyway.

You can tie the ties in a bow as above or leave them in a knot. I like both looks.

I see a few more of these being made for both myself and the girls!

Now what to sew next?

ps Taking good photos of yourself is HARD!

12. The letter ‘c’

2011-11-21T19:41:00.001+11:00

9. Spring

2011-11-21T18:06:00.001+11:00

8. Happiness

2011-11-20T16:04:00.001+11:00

(and a little bit of cheekiness too!)

Miss a few…7. Love

2011-11-20T15:58:00.001+11:00

A Crochet Tiara

2011-11-20T15:19:00.001+11:00

I tend to make grand plans and then stress when it doesn’t happen the way I had planned. I had planned to make rainbow tutu’s and crochet tiaras for all the little girls at Elsa's party last weekend. I only ordered the supplies 4 weeks before hand and they didn’t arrive in time. I think this is probably a good thing as I would have been horrible to live with if I was trying to get 10 tiaras and 10 tutus made in less than a week as well as all the other birthday things!

Anyway, I decided to make one up for the girls anyway. I had seen a few patterns about. A cute one for $5 and free ones that I didn’t care for much. Since I can get a gorgeous garment pattern for $5 I had a hard time considering paying for a pattern for a tiara so I made one up With a little help from my crocheting sister in law!

I will write this up sometime…I am not very experienced in crochet patterns so I will need to call on my SIL to help I think.

A Happy Rainbow Birthday!

2011-11-12T22:10:00.001+11:00

Today was full of fun and rainbows. My little Elsa is 5 and it seems like only yesterday that I was holding a new baby in my arms with no idea what I was in for.

Just a few snaps of the day…this exhausted mummy is too tired for any more words!

5 years ago…

2011-11-10T11:01:00.001+11:00

I was in hospital waiting. Waiting for the medical staff to tell me when I would actually be induced, waiting for my mum to arrive, waiting for a baby!

Today I am getting ready for a rainbow party for a very assertive 5 year old! Pinterest has been a great source of inspiration for this and here are a few things I have planned…

Source: brandyscrafts.blogspot.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: littlelovely.typepad.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: designmom.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: littlelovely.typepad.com via Meika on Pinterest

Better get off the computer...lots of rainbowing to do!

5. Shallow Depth of Field

2011-11-06T21:54:00.001+11:00

4. Black and White

2011-11-06T21:52:00.001+11:00

A Proud Mummy Moment!

2011-11-06T21:27:00.001+11:00

Today my two oldest girls had their very first dance concert.

We started the day realising that my husband had left the dance bag at the dance studio after yesterdays lesson and needless to say I was a little (ok a LOT) stressed when I realised that they had no shoes! I managed to sort it out and they were at the theatre when we arrived!

Once we got there and I got their make up on it was all ok and they danced so well I was very proud. 3 and 4 year olds might not have the best technique or do all the right steps but they certainly are entertaining and totally gorgeous!

This last photo is shocking but it is the only one I have of them as Mrs Potato Head!

3. A bad habit

2011-11-03T17:14:00.001+11:00

For Bec…

2011-11-03T17:13:00.001+11:00

Today I had an awesome time at the Hobart Botanical Gardens with my good friend Bec. Today is her birthday and we headed off with 7 kids between us, hoping for good weather…and we got it! We had chocolate cake and a yummy healthy salad (to balance out that chocolate cake!) and lots of fun and silliness in the sun!

I also made her a camera strap cover. For anyone who knows Bec they know that she LOVES to take photos so I thought something pretty for her camera would be a good gift for her. In true Meika style I left it to the last minute to make it and was up pretty late last night finishing it off.

I used this pattern from Etsy.

I also made her a birthday cake using this recipe…it was delicious! I ate too much!

2. Something Green

2011-11-03T16:37:00.001+11:00

1. Self Portrait

2011-11-03T07:38:00.001+11:00

It’s not too late to join! You can catch up or you can just start where we are up to. Today is Day 3 “a bad habit”. Yesterday was “something green” ( my photo is coming!). Don’t forget to pop over to the flickr group to see what others are doing and to share your photos. If you have posted them on your blog then please feel free to leave a link in the comments as I would love to check them out.

Knit, knit, knit…

2011-10-25T17:07:00.001+11:00

Although tall has been quiet on the blogging front I have been continuing my crafting, mostly in the form of knitting. I have a pile of finished garments that I need to take photos of but I thought I would share the few I already have photos of! I have even knit a few for me! All my Rav friends would have seen these before but there might be a few readers who haven’t!

Pattern – Young Einstein and Elliot’s Beanie

Yarn – Celia’s Basket Comfort 8

Pattern – Milo with heart cable

Yarn – Bendigo Woollen Mills Highlands

Pattern – Elizabeth Tunic

Yarn – Handspun

Pattern – Milo

Yarn – Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury

I have decided that is enough for one post! Maybe some more tomorrow! Maybe I will even get around to taking photos of the others!

November Photography Challenge

2011-10-23T21:58:00.001+11:00

One of my good friends and I decided we wanted to challenge ourselves with our photography. We are both self taught and really have MUCH more to learn and thought a challenge would be a good way to learn a little more!

So anyone care to join us?

I will start a Flickr Group to post our photos in and I will post my photos here on my blog too. I am excited to see how I can challenge myself and what I can learn!

I want a Tea Dress

2011-08-28T21:32:00.002+10:00

Have you seen these gorgeous dresses! They are made with vintage fabrics in a ‘50s style. I think I NEED once for this summer. I will knit a cardigan for those cooler days and I will wear it all summer!

The shop is on holiday at the moment but I am all signed up to get a notification when they re-open!

What’s for dinner? {Carrot Soup}

2011-08-26T12:11:00.002+10:00

Do you love cooking or is it just another job that must be done? I think for me it is both. I love to cook when I have the time but it is not so enjoyable when Miss 4yo wants help with her game and wants it NOW, Miss 3yo wants another apple and wants it peeled and then it isn’t peeled the ‘right’ way and then we have a tantrum to deal with and Miss 1yo just wants to be held. Yep, this is what seems to happen whenever I start to prepare our dinner!
Today though I started when Miss 1yo was sleeping and it worked really well. I really must be more organised and do this more often!
With no plans I opened the fridge to see what we had…carrots, lots of carrots. So what do you make when you have carrots and not much else? Carrot Soup!
I do have my soup recipe that can be adjusted to whatever I have in the fridge but I decided to be adventurous and make something different.
After a little search I found this recipe and I have adjusted it a little to suit.
So here is my version of the above recipe
Carrot Soup
Serves 6
2 ProPoints per serve
Ingredients

1.5kg carrots, peeled
2 onions, quartered
6 cloves or garlic
1 tsp olive oil
2 tsp butter
2 tsp ground cumin
3 tbs white wine
4 sprigs of thyme
6 cups Chicken or Vegetable Stock

Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius

Chop carrots into chunks

Place in a casserole dish (with a lid) along with the onions, garlic, olive oil, butter, cumin and white wine. I dotted my butter over the top so as it melted it would cover all the carrots more evenly.

Take photo of super cute 3 year old helper at her request

Cover and place in preheated oven for 1hr or until carrots are tender
Add stock and blend
Season to taste

ISO – Oliver & S Puppet Show Pattern

2011-08-20T22:03:00.001+10:00

Oh I wish I had purchased this pattern when I could. I have seen so many gorgeous pairs of shorts and tunics made with this pattern and the pattern is now out of print.

Source: pineneedles.net via Meika on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: fromthepinkhouse.blogspot.com via Meika on Pinterest

Does anyone have a copy that they are willing to part with or know someone who does? Or perhaps your local fabric store has one last copy. If anyone has a copy that they could post me I would love you forever! Ok, probably a bit of an exaggeration but I would be so so happy to have a copy to use this summer. I would of course pay for the pattern and all postage costs from anywhere around the world. I would be grateful for either size range but I think the 2T-5 would get more use in this house.

Thanks in advance xxx

Simplicity 2444

2011-08-19T14:57:00.001+10:00

This is actually one of the first things I have sewn for myself since high school! I have a collection of patterns and often dream of making this dress and that top but I never get around to it as I tend to sew for the girls too. I must admit that I have been a little scared of making a disaster and wasting so much fabric and have heard of many stories of garments that don’t fit well.

I am SO glad I made this dress for myself. I love it! It fits perfectly and it really was pretty easy to sew. As seen in one of my previous posts I have many garments planned for myself now.

I don’t actually have the perfect photos of the dress. I think this is the best one but it doesn’t show all of it. Not the best photo of me either but we are all looking at the dress aren’t we?

I went with the sleeveless version and no bow. I made my own belt using a vintage buckle and a strip of fabric. It was basically the width of fabric in length and I played around with the width until it fit the buckle and looked ok.

Pattern – Simplicity 2444

Fabric – Quilting Cotton from Spotlight ($7.99/m) – 3 meters

Notions – 22” zipper - (umm I think this was about $2…I don’t buy zippers very often!)

Total costs – about $26 not including thread

Wear again? – Yes. I love it! I want to make another in a satin or similar for the TSO (Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra) Gala Ball in October…maybe with a bow this time!

My Party in Pictures

2011-08-18T19:57:00.001+10:00

Google Reader Problems?

2011-08-14T18:35:00.001+10:00

Google Reader keeps deleting all my unread blogs :( It has done it twice this week and I am sad that I have missed much inspiration. Is this happening to anyone else?

Thirty

2011-08-14T13:59:00.001+10:00

Just one little photo from last night…more to come once I have finished cleaning up…I will start once I have finished my cup of tea!

Sewing for Me

2011-08-10T11:16:00.001+10:00

Do you sew for yourself? I always think about it and then end up making something for one of the girls as they are smaller and if it doesn’t fit one it will eventually fit one of the others!

I have only just finished cutting out the fabric for my dress and am looking forward to getting to the sewing part…I just hope it fits ok! I know I am two different sizes in the bust and waist(3 sizes apart!) so it will be interesting to see how it fits. I didn’t make any alterations in the cutting but as there are pleats I am sure I can adjust them slightly if I need to.

I am all inspired to sew more for myself this summer and have been pinning lots of patterns and tutorials to Pinterest. Here are a few of my favourites.

I NEED a belt (or 4). My jeans are always falling down and these belts would be so cute with a plain tee in summer

Source: sewing.craftgossip.com via Meika on Pinterest

Cute skirts are a must!

Source: vanessachristensontutorials.blogspot.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: analogme.typepad.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: vievesscrapbooking.blogspot.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: simplicity.com via Meika on Pinterest

And some cute dresses too

Source: simplicity.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: sewweekly.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: store.annamariahorner.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: academichic.com via Meika on Pinterest

And we can't forget some cute tops too!

Source: tearosehome.blogspot.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: leafytreetopspot.blogspot.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: prudentbaby.com via Meika on Pinterest

Source: bluecricketdesign.net via Meika on Pinterest

Source: maybematilda.com via Meika on Pinterest

Getting ready to party!

2011-08-09T00:29:00.001+10:00

I am 30 next week! In 5 days actually! 30 seems so much older than 29. It is that 3 at the beginning that I can’t get over! I know it really isn’t that old but I feel like I only just came out of my teens!

Instead of worrying about that ‘3’ I have decided that I am going to PARTY! Celebrate my 30 years and all the blessings that they have brought.

I am having a 1950’s wonderland tea party. Sounds a bit all over the place doesn’t it? Well that is because I couldn’t work out how to describe it! I wanted pretty teacups and pretty food but also some fun and quirky touches. I didn’t want it too formal, I wanted it fun! I am going to be setting up a photo booth with fun props and we will have fun 1950’s music.

I bought myself a dress from ModCloth but unfortunately it is too small so I will be sending it back and sewing one instead. I am actually quite excited about getting the sewing machine out…it has been a while!

I will be using Simplicity 2444 and some navy polka dot fabric.

Source: simplicity.com via Meika on Pinterest

I was inspired by this dress

Source: sewweekly.com via Meika on Pinterest

and this one too.

Source: burdastyle.com via Meika on Pinterest

I think I might drop the bow and make a belt using one of these plastic buckles

…probably white…but that orange does look great too!

Win a $750 Fuel Card

2011-08-07T14:44:00.001+10:00

Ok so I hope I have your attention. Yes you can win a fuel card BUT what I really wanted to ask you …ok beg you to do is to vote for my friend Bianca.

She was one of 12 selected to test drive a 2012 Ford Focus and whoever gets the most votes over 4 weeks gets to keep their car! Bianca has done so well especially considering the guy coming first is (or so I have heard) in marketing. She is coming second and there is quite a gap to close but she isn’t giving up yet!

Every vote goes into the draw to win a fuel card worth $750 so not only are you helping Bianca out but you could win something too. It is one vote per day so if you remember pop on again tomorrow and vote too. It only takes about 30 seconds and I will be very grateful and I am sure Bianca will be especially grateful!

Dear Blog

2011-08-05T10:20:00.001+10:00

Sorry for neglecting you. Thankyou for understanding that sometimes I just don’t have the time to spend with you. For understanding that my kids and my husband come first and that although I love blogging I love knitting and sewing even more. I think of you often when I am sewing, knitting, taking photos and at other times too. Thanks for letting me use you when I want to and leave you when I don’t. I make no promises as to when we will be together again but just know that I want to.

KCWC – Days 3-5

2011-05-14T17:26:00.001+10:00

I actually finished something! I know it would be so much faster if I only worked on one item at a time but I have been working on 3 so each has been getting a little done on it each night. Day 5 I did not sew. My husband was away and I was sulking and instead of sewing I ate Milo out of the tin! I am sure I would have felt a lot better about my evening if I had sewn instead! I have grand plans for tonight so hopefully I can get these kids into bed early and get a lot done!

These are for a lovely friend…actually they are for her little boy Eli. They will be in the post on Monday Tanya! Hope you like them.

Ballet Lessons

2011-05-14T11:05:00.001+10:00

I don’t think there is anything that could be cuter that 15 little 3-5 years olds running around in leotards and tutus (pink of course!). That has been my Saturday mornings for the last couple of months. My two are finally joining in properly and now love they weekly dace lesson. I just couldn’t help but share a couple of photos I took of them last week before their lessons!

If you like their gorgeous skirts then head over to the Princess Boo Facebook page. There is 30% off all pre-orders of Pettiskirts, BabyLegs and Baby Bella Maya…but this offer ends tonight!

Due to Blogger problems the sale has now ended BUT all my blog readers will have the offer extended to Monday morning so just mention the blog and you can still get the discount!

KCWC – days 1 & 2

2011-05-11T17:00:00.001+10:00

I feel like a bit of a fraud as I did the first two days in one and now I don’t have any photos for you! I haven’t finished anything yet but I do have 3 pairs of BBB Pants almost finished and I was out all of today and as I hate taking night time photos and it is nearly dark here already I have taken none.

BUT I do have something else to share. I finished knitting this jacket for Eve last week and finally got the buttons sewn on over the weekend. It was part of the Budding Designers Downunder KAL and is the Young Einstein Jacket. I did want it to have a hood but I didn’t have enough yarn. Speaking of the yarn it is Celia’s Basket Comfort 8 and it is gorgeous to knit with!

Oh and I can’t forget the hat! It is Elliot’s Beanie. This was my compromise when i didn’t have enough for a hood!

I will finish those pants off tonight and then I might cut a skirt for Isla. I am thinking of a Girly Pleated Skirt by Heidi and Finn, maybe in denim to go with everything! I love the little pleats! SO cute!

KCWC

2011-05-10T15:01:00.001+10:00

One hour a day for 7 days…I am starting a day late so I have 2 hours to do today. I already had plans to sew this week and it is more fun to do it with others!

Today – BBB Pants!

Princess Boo Pettiskirt giveaway!

2011-04-26T16:36:00.002+10:00

Head over to Facebook and enter their competition to win a pettiskirt in your choice of colour and size. It is really simple to enter all you have to do it tag yourself in the competition photo!

Something cute

2011-04-20T23:02:00.001+10:00

Oh how I love to dream about all the gorgeous things I would love to make! This is one of the latest things that is on my list!

Picture from The Red Thread

Hello Birdie Pillow – I think this would be gorgeous in my girls rooms. Pinks and greens for Elsa and Isla, and aqua and red for Eve!

Puffy Sleeved Shrug

2011-04-19T20:34:00.001+10:00

I feel so lucky to be part of a lovely group of ladies on Ravelry many who are also talented designers. I always know when their latest design is coming out and sometimes I even get to test the pattern which it exciting. My latest test knit was this gorgeous little shrug for Tanya of Tanya Knits. It was a lovely quick knit and the fit is just perfect. I have made other shrugs in the past and they don’t always fit nicely. Some kind of fall off the shoulders and others seem a little tight around the back but this one is perfect. It will actually end up being for Isla I think(modelled by Elsa) and I have plans for a dress to go with it…just need to find the time to get that one started.

Daffodils are not just for spring

2011-04-18T16:36:00.001+10:00

You may have spotted the Darwinia in Saturdays post. This is one of the many FO’s that didn’t have photos. It was actually finished about 6 weeks ago but we just haven’t had a lot of summer weather this year so that is only the second time it has been worn. I really home that it still fits next year as for 2 weeks knitting I would like more than two wears out of it!

Isla is a skinny little one so it is actually the 18 month size with the 3 years length. I never used to like yellow. It was just one of those colours that I avoided ALL the time! But it just looks perfect on Isla so I have found a new love for yellow!

Pattern: Darwinia by Georgie Hallam

Yarn: BWM 8 ply cotton in Daffodil

Size: 18 months with 3 years length

YUM!

2011-04-17T08:00:00.000+10:00

No need to say more…Cream Cheese Cinnamon Scrolls

Thankful…for the sunshine after the rain!

2011-04-16T19:38:00.001+10:00

I have decided to start a weekly meme…Thankful Thursday. I know today is Saturday but I only thought of it today and I really didn’t want to wait a whole five days to start! Being thankful for what we have makes you happy, You think about the good things that you have and not about everything you would like to change. I know we all have things that we want to change in our lives…things that could be better, but we ALL have things in our lives to be thankful for no matter what else is happening. I am guilty of not thinking of these things so this is an effort to look at the positive…even if I don’t feel like it!

This week in Tasmania we have had more rain than we have had in over 50 years! Our road was closed due to a landslide and it was generally miserable and a little dangerous if you tried to venture out anywhere!

But today it was sunny! Oh how I love the sunshine! We went to ballet lessons and I watched my two little ballerinas point their toes, skip around the room and pretend to be the Easter Bunny! We then went out for pink baby chinos (I had coffee, warm strawberry milk is not my thing!) found a jumping castle, had ice-cream in the sun and visited a lolly shop. A perfect way to enjoy a sunny day.

If you would like to join me in this weekly meme then please do. If there are enough interested I will make a button and create a list for blogs taking part. So come on, take some time to think about what you are thankful for!

Do I remember how to do this?

2011-04-15T23:55:00.001+10:00

Wow it certainly has been a long time. Not sure what happened there…life got busy! We had family staying with us for a few months and that certainly makes the house and many aspects of life a lot busier! They are gone now and I feel like things are back to normal…whatever that is! (Ok I need to stop with those exclamation marks!) Elsa is at school and finally starting to settle in I think. There have been many mornings with crying and not wanting to let go…most of it Elsa(some of it me…not that she saw that bit though) but she is starting to let me go and not cry which is a huge relief.

One thing I have made time for in the last few months is my stress relief…knitting and a little sewing. A lot of it I haven’t even taken photos of. My project gallery on Ravelry is looking a little bit sad with all the missing photos so I really should have a photo shoot soon and get photos of all the new things I have made my girls. I do have photos of one outfit I made for Eve though. I have had the Big Butt Baby Pants pattern for so so long and even had it sitting with the right fabric and everything and the pattern traced for months and months…I finally sewed a pair and I love them so much! The fit is just perfect for a cloth bottom and they look so cute with that bottom panel.I have many many more pairs planned for Eve now and am making a few for friends too. I am thinking of making a few to sell under my Wee Threads brand too as many people have asked me about them. i won’t commit to too much though as I know that is what I normally do and then I just stress out!

Anyway, here they are in all their cuteness. The jumper she is wearing is a Little Hoodlum(without the hood as I ran out of yarn) and it is embellished with a strawberry from a Watermellish chart. It actually wasn’t made to go with the pants but they work together perfectly.

My Creative Space

2011-02-10T10:17:00.002+11:00

The last week has been spent preparing things for Elsa’s first day of school. Part of that was making her a library bag and a cushion for rest time.

I have plenty of gorgeous photos of Elsa on her first day and will share them soon but until then here is what I created for her.

Head over here to see more creative spaces

A Strawberry Rainbow!

2011-01-28T10:23:00.001+11:00

On Ravelry in the Budding Designers Downunder group there is a EAL(Embelish a long) going on for the month of January. The very talented Tanja of Watermellish has made available some of her gorgeous charts and has also released some new designs especially for the EAL this month. One of the charts released was this gorgeous strawberry. When I found out that a friend had her baby and it was a little girl I knew I needed to knit something to put a strawberry on! I settled on a Rainbow dress out of Lotus and Grapefruit Moon WOOLganic Yarn. This yarn is so gorgeously soft it will be fine on a newborns skin and it all worked together so well with the strawberry too. So here is the strawberry…the dress still needs blocking so the full garment picture will have to wait.

Well Done Everyone!

2011-01-26T20:25:00.000+11:00

I think this says it all...

And the winner is….

2011-01-26T18:07:00.001+11:00

Comment 6! Ella vT

Ella vT can you please email me on meikadv@gmail.com as I don’t have any contact details for you.

Sorello or Fratello Raffle - Closed

2011-01-16T18:15:00.003+11:00

Not enough time to knit everything you want? Always loved hand knits but don’t have the time or don’t know how to knit? Well this is your opportunity to have a hand knit of your very own. The talented Georgie of Tikki has kindly allowed me to use her patterns to knit a Sorello or a Fratello for your little one. You get to choose the yarn and I knit it to fit. The pattern starts at a size 6 months(chest circumference 17 inches or 43cm) and I am willing to knit up to a size 6(25inch/63.5cm) and you get to choose the yarn and colour from the large range of yarn at Bendigo Woollen Mills under direction from me (as not all their yarns are suitable for these knits).

Thanks Georgie and Nicci for allowing me to use photos of your gorgeous children!

As you can see it is the perfect all season item. Summer and spring on its own and Winter and Autumn with something underneath.

If you want to knit one of these yourself then now is the perfect time to purchase the pattern as all proceeds from the sale of these patterns in January will be donated to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal. So check out the Sorello and Fratello patterns now!

Here is how it is going to work:

This giveaway is open to everyone no matter where you live.
I will cover all postage costs.
To enter this giveaway you must donate $5 to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal.
You may enter as many times as you like but each entry / donation must have a separate receipt number. (eg: donate $5 ten times if you want to donate $50- then comment ten times with your receipt number)
Entries close Wednesday 26th January 2011

After you have done this , return here and leave your comment with your receipt number.

If you don't have an account to leave a comment you can send me an email at meikadv(at)gmail(dot)com with your name and receipt number and I will comment for you.

Queensland Flood Appeal

2011-01-14T21:47:00.002+11:00

I am sure I don’t need to tell anyone about the devastation thousands of Queenslanders are experiencing at the moment. It is overwhelming enough to read about it and watch the scenes on the TV, I can’t imagine what it is like there are the moment.

I am sure like me many of you have been thinking about how you can help. Well head over to Toni’s blog and read all about the blog auctions and raffles that are going on at the moment. I would like to contribute to the effort and will have to get myself organised tomorrow and work out what I will offer. Please head to the other blogs and help out the people of Queensland!

Project 365 – Day 4

2011-01-05T22:23:00.001+11:00

Sorell fruit farm…just as much was eaten as we took home I think!

This year I will read!

2011-01-04T21:08:00.001+11:00

I have always loved to read. I used to devour a book in a couple of days, staying up half the night while in high school because I just had to read one more page, just one more chapter! I think I have only read a handful of books since having children. This year I want to change that. I don’t know how many I will read but one thing I promise is that I will read…even if it takes a month to get through a book!

First up a Jodi Picoult book I have had on the shelf for a couple of year! Mercy…

Today…

2011-01-03T20:54:00.001+11:00

…I didn’t have time for knitting or sewing or anything else crafty. I did have time for my family though and that is the most important thing. We spent time in the garden and had a lovely lunch at a local restaurant. Sitting in the sun, racing little wooden boats and me taking photos…lots of fun!

Project 365 – Day 3

2011-01-03T20:41:00.001+11:00

A lovely day at Peppermint Bay. Yummy lunch, fun in the sun (and the tree) and little boats to race.

Project 365 – Day 2

2011-01-02T22:17:00.001+11:00

Elsa has wanted one of these for months and she was thrilled to open her present (late Christmas present) and set to work immediately decorating him/her!

Project 365 – Day 1

2011-01-01T20:01:00.001+11:00

Self portrait – Mummy and Eve

Happy 2011!

2011-01-01T19:56:00.001+11:00

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope you all had a safe and happy holiday season. We had a quiet Christmas with my husband and I both coming down with gastro! The girls were sent off to have Christmas with my mum and had a lovely day but it was a little sad to miss it all.

New Years Eve was also a quiet one. I guess that is just life with little ones. When we finally got them to bed we enjoyed some chocolates and a dvd.

No resolutions for me this year. One thing I have discovered this year is that there is no point in making them as it will only happen if I am really ready for it to happen.

I am going to commit to a little project though…Project365. I want to take a photo a day for the entire year. Something that tells a story of our day, our weeks and our year. I want to improve my photography skills, learn some new ways to use my camera and be in more photos myself. I probably won’t post them each day as I know what I am like. But I will eventually get them up. I may even miss a day or two because once again I know what I am like! No strict rules…just doing this one for me.

Botanical Gardens, sun, knitting and a cup of tea…a lovely start to the year

Christmas Pattern Swap

2010-12-15T21:15:00.001+11:00

Oh I do love a good swap! The stalking, the shopping, the wrapping, the posting and the waiting. But most of all the excitement of opening my parcel!

I sent a parcel of Malabrigo sock, chocolate, and a shawl pattern to Hannah and what a lovely surprise to find that Hannah had me too!

Today I received the most gorgeous parcel! I absolutely adore the yarn! Hannah dyed it herself. Isn’t she clever! She sells her yarn too so head over to Red Riding Hood Yarns to get your own gorgeous yarn! She also gifted the Teachers Pet pattern and I can’t wait to cast on…maybe after Christmas.

She also included 3 handmade personalised ornaments, one for each of the girls. They love them. Thanks Hannah!

{Conversations with little girls #3}

2010-12-14T15:26:00.001+11:00

While taking Isla to a public toilet

Isla - Mummy, what’s that? (pointing to a sanitary bin)

Mummy – It’s for yucky things

Isla – …pause…for little boys?

Twirling fun!

2010-12-14T15:04:00.001+11:00

You know the skirt mentioned here? Well this is it and the enthusiasm Elsa expressed for me to finish it still exists every time it comes out of the wardrobe. She loves it! So do I. Perfect for those warmer days (Summer hasn’t quite hit here yet, we had the fire on the other night!).

Pattern – Barefoot Knits Twirly Skirt

Yarn – Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece

If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all…

2010-12-13T09:40:00.001+11:00

I am afraid this is me. I wish it wasn’t a lot of the time and I am learning to not be so much like this. I mean who can sew, knit, craft everything perfectly the first time! Not me! Blogging has been a bit like this lately. I guess I don’t have to tell you as it has been pretty obvious that I haven’t been around much at all lately. It was once again one of those “ I don’t have time to do it perfectly so I can’t do it at all” moments…or months really!

But I am back! It won’t be perfect but I will post more regularly!

Just because the blogging stopped it doesn’t mean the crafting did. Time to get the camera out I think. I will be back….soon.

And the winner is…

2010-10-28T14:44:00.001+11:00

Number 2 for the girls set…Kathy

Number 4 for the boys set…Tanya(who I know gave birth to a baby boy only days ago! Congratulations Tanya!)

I will be in touch soon to get your prizes to you.

Blogtoberfest Day 28 {Oaty Apple Pikelets}

2010-10-28T14:21:00.001+11:00

This was lunch today for the girls. I had something a little lower in calories!

SO yummy! Oats, apples, honey and spice, what more could you want!

Oaty apple pikelets (Recipe from here – if you want the healthier one use this recipe, I made mine a little fattier!)

INGREDIENTS

2 cups (500ml) full cream milk
1 cup (120g) oat bran
½ cup (75g) plain flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
½ teaspoon mixed spice
2 eggs
1 large apple (200g), peeled, cored, chopped finely
1 tablespoon lemon juice
honey for on top
Butter for cooking

METHOD

Blend or process milk, bran, flour, sugar, spice and eggs until smooth; pour into large jug. Stir in apple and juice, cover; refrigerate 30 minutes (mixture will separate during refrigeration).
Heat large frying pan and add butter. Stir mixture to combine; using ¼-cup batter for each pikelet (mixture will be runny), cook two pikelets at a time, uncovered, until bubbles appear on the surface. Turn; cook until browned lightly. Serve topped with honey. (original recipe had ricotta as well which I think would be divine but we didn’t have any)

{Conversations with Little Girls #2}

2010-10-28T09:07:00.001+11:00

mummy knitting a skirt for Elsa

Elsa – mummy just keep on knitting knitting knitting, when the moon and stars come out just keep knitting…but if you get tired you can sleep.

I think she wants this skirt!

Blogtoberfest Day 27 {Sigh}

2010-10-27T20:46:00.001+11:00

I was doing so well! Life (ie sick baby) has prevented the daily blogging of late.

No sleep + Crying baby + Tantruming toddlers = No blog posts for this grumpy mummy!

Maybe tomorrow will be better!

Blogtoberfest Day 24 {Alabama Stitch Book}

2010-10-24T22:12:00.002+11:00

One of my many birthday presents from my gorgeous husband was the Alabama Stitch Book. I have a few t-shirts from Rivers stashed away ready to make this gorgeous skirt. I chose red and a charcoal marle. Browsing Flickr makes me want to buy more t-shirts in more colours! How many versions of this skirt will be too much do you think?

1. alabama skirt 2, side 1, 2. bloomer skirt, 3. Red/Aqua Bloomers Skirt, 4. New Bloomers Skirt, 5. bloomers skirt, 6. Bloomer's Skirt 2, 7. Renae-Bloomers skirt blue, 8. bloomers skirt, 9. 'Bama Skirt

Blogtoberfest Day 23 {I’m a little teapot}

2010-10-23T19:41:00.001+11:00

She definitely is not short and stout but she is awfully cute don’t you think?

And yes they are some gorgeous footless tights by BabyLegs you can see poking out there! Don’t forget to enter my BabyLegs giveaway!

Photography by LisaK Photography

Blogtoberfest Day 22 {BabyLegs Giveaway!}

2010-10-22T23:32:00.001+11:00

I love BabyLegs! Both the product and the real things(nothing beats the real thing…especially if they are chubby!)

Anyway, i am giving away 4 pairs of these gorgeous BabyLegs Legwarmers. So cute on babies and young children. Eve has a pile of them and they are perfect for crawling on our floorboards and to keep her little legs warm. They look so cute with a fluffy cloth bottom too!

So, How do you enter?

Simple! Just leave a comment and let me know which you would like to win. The girl set or the boy. If you would like to be in the running for both please leave a comment for each.

Blogtoberfest Day 21 {Twirling fun!}

2010-10-21T21:26:00.001+11:00

I did it! I finally got time to sew and finished (well almost) the circle skirts I cut a few weeks ago. Elsa’s still needs the hem done but here is Isla’s in all its twirling glory!

I think I need to make the waist smaller for both of my girls. I did measure their waist but they both have little tummys that poke out and the skirt wants to slide down and sit underneath it so it needs to be a little smaller to not be so loose where is wants to sit if you know what I mean. Elsa (21 1/2 inch waist) actually fits into Isla’s (19 1/2 inch waist) it is a little firm so I think I might try 20 1/2” for Elsa and 18 1/2 for Isla. SO quick and easy once I got started!

Blogtoberfest Day 20 {Day Dreaming}

2010-10-20T21:07:00.001+11:00

…yes I missed yesterday :( but I am back today :)

Blogtoberfest Day 18 {We’re Back!}

2010-10-18T23:22:00.001+11:00

We are back from our lovely little break from everything. It is so nice to just get away sometimes. I went to bed earlier (funny how it is so much easier to do without a computer to distract me!) and I relaxed! I got a bit of knitting done but was very frustrated to find that one project I took with me I only took the last page which I was up to and in the last 8 rows there was an abbreviation I had never come across before so that had to be put aside. I then tried to start a new project but found that I didn’t have the right cable length! I had lent it to my SIL! So I had to settle for the knitting project I had been avoiding! I am so glad I took 3…and my husband thought that was obsessive!

Anyway, just a few snapshots from the holiday!

Yummy dinner…fresh sourdough, Bruny Island Cheese, Dukkah and Olive oil!

Blogtoberfest Day 17 {99 things about me}

2010-10-17T21:27:00.001+11:00

Things you've already done: bold
Things you want to do: italize
Things you haven't done and don't want to - leave in plain font
1. started your own blog
2. slept under the stars
3. played in a band
4. visited hawaii
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more than you can afford to charity
7. been to disneyland/world
8. climbed a mountain
9. held a praying mantis
10. sang a solo
11. bungee jumped
12. visited paris
13. watched a lightning storm at sea
14. taught yourself an art from scratch
15. adopted a child
16. had food poisoning
17. walked to the top of the statue of liberty
18. grown your own vegetables
19. seen the mona lisa in france
20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight
22. hitch hiked
23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb
26. gone skinny dipping
27. run a marathon
28. ridden a gondola in venice
29. seen a total eclipse
30. watched a sunrise or sunset
31. hit a home run
32. been on a cruise
33. seen niagara falls in person
34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. seen an amish community
36. taught yourself a new language
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. seen the leaning tower of pisa in person
39. gone rock climbing
40. seen michelangelo's david in person
41. sung karaoke
42. seen old faithful geyser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. visited africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
46. been transported in an ambulance
47. had your portrait painted
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. seen the sistene chapel in person
50. been to the top of the eiffel tower in paris
51. gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud
54. gone to a drive-in theatre
55. been in a movie
56. visited the great wall of china
57. started a business
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited russia
60. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold girl scout cookies.
62. gone whale watching
63. gotten flowers for no reason
64. donated blood
65. gone sky diving
66. visited a nazi concentration camp
67. bounced a cheque
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the lincoln memorial
71. eaten caviar
72. pieced a quilt
73. stood in Times Square
74. toured the everglades
75. been fired from a job
76. seen the changing of the guard in london
77. broken a bone
78. been on a speeding motorcycle
79. seen the grand canyon in person
80. published a book
81. visited the vatican
82. bought a brand new car
83. walked in jerusalem
84. had your picture in the newspaper
85. read the entire bible
86. visited the white house
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. had chickenpox
89. saved someone’s life
90. sat on a jury
91. met someone famous
92. joined a book club
93. lost a loved one
94. had a baby
95. seen the alamo in person
96. swum in the great salt lake.
97. been involved in a law suit
98. owned a cell phone
99. been stung by a bee

Your turn…

Blogtoberfest Day 16 {Chai mix}

2010-10-16T08:00:00.000+11:00

I love a good chai. Just the right amount of spice…and sweet, but not too sweet. I had a favourite chai place and they changed the recipe on me :(

I have had a chai syrup recipe in my favourites for a while and last week on another blog i saw it mentioned again, it was a different recipe than I first had favourited and I think if I made it again I would do the original one as this one is a little sweet and not so spicy but you might like it that way

Mix ingredients together (or bash spices in a mortar and pestle if you don’t have ground pepper like me and add to condensed milk once well ‘bashed’)

The recipe said to add 2 tbs to a cup of strong black tea but that was way too sweet for me so I went with 1 tbs. This made it just sweet enough but not spicy enough! Next time I will use the other one.

Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 6 months (mine won’t last that long!)

Blogtoberfest Day 15 {Eve}

2010-10-15T08:00:00.000+11:00

My littlest treasure…

Blogtoberfest Day 14 {My Creative Space}

2010-10-14T08:00:00.000+11:00

Today I am doing a bit of this…

here…

Got to love a holiday on Bruny Island!

Blogtoberfest Day 13 {and the winner is…}

2010-10-13T09:32:00.001+11:00

Now Isla did not want to miss out on drawing out a name so… we have two winners!

Congratulations Sophie and Little Munchkins! I will email you very soon so you can choose your skirt!

Amended draw date for giveaway…

2010-10-12T20:33:00.001+11:00

I totally forgot that I was going away for a few days so I will draw the winner of the pettiskirt tomorrow morning. So if you are yet to enter don’t wait any longer or you will miss out!

Blogtoberfest Day 12 {Isabella & Amielle}

2010-10-12T19:47:00.001+11:00

Aren’t these two girls completely gorgeous! They were perfect little models with Ami even giving us a few classic poses!

Photography by LisaK Photography

Apologies for the lack of sewing/knitting and the like on this blog of late…I have sadly been too busy with life and getting other things sorted :(

Blogtoberfest Day 11 {Eve’s first visit to the beach}

2010-10-11T19:49:00.001+11:00

Today was gorgeous! The sun shone and I was able to wear a skirt and t-shirt without freezing. I dressed the girls in some of their more summery clothing that has been sitting unused for the past 8 or so months. Ok so 24 degrees may not scream summer to a lot of you but for this Tasmanian and her family it does!

Hmm, this sand looks good…

how about a taste…

not too sure about that!

Blogtoberfest Day 10 {Just a peek}

2010-10-10T22:50:00.002+11:00

Photography by Lisa K Photography

Blogtoberfest Day 9 {Exhausted!}

2010-10-09T23:48:00.002+11:00

Yes it is 11:30 and I really should be in bed. Especially since I have been sitting here thinking how tired I am for the last few hours! I have a very bad habit of staying up late…way too late for someone who still gets up at least once a night to feed a baby and who gets woken early by 3 little girls ready to bounce off the walls!

Anyway, had a great photo shoot and just made it out of the gardens before it closed. I am sure I will have something to show sometime soon but I will leave you with a photo of the gumboots drying. Yes I actually scrubbed them! Can’t have dirty boots for the shoot!

Oh and the cupcakes too…

Sorry for the uninteresting post…it really was the best I could muster. Hopefully after some sleep I can construct a better post for tomorrow.

Blogtoberfest Day 8 {busy busy busy}

2010-10-09T00:00:00.001+11:00

Yes I am busy! I almost forgot to post today but had a friendly reminder from my sister in law Kathy (read her wonderful blog over here).

Tomorrow I have a photo shoot with this gorgeous photographer,

with some of these

these

and these

Can’t wait to show you what is created…and what it is all about!

Blogtoberfest Day 7 {My Creative Space}

2010-10-07T10:03:00.004+11:00

2 circle skirts cut, hopefully to be sewn today. Elastic purchased and had $7.99/m I hope these skirts work!

Pretty coloured gingham waiting to me made into nappy covers for Eve and also a bubble romper I am hoping to be able to pull together using the cover pattern for the bottom…we will see how it goes. Will be super cute for summer if it works!

For more creative spaces head over to Kootoyoo

Oh and don't forget to enter my pettiskirt giveaway!

Blogtoberfest Day 6 {My Family}

2010-10-06T19:38:00.001+11:00

A couple of months ago we had a family photo shoot. It has been something we had wanted to get done for a long time but had simply never got around to organising(like many things around here I am afraid!) but then I found out that my friend from school Lisa was starting up a photography business so a couple of facebook messages later it was all organised. Here are the results! If you want to check out more of her photography then head over to her blog...some gorgeous stuff there!

Blogtoberfest Day 5 {WIN A PETTISKIRT!}

2010-10-05T21:09:00.003+11:00

Would you like to win a pettiskirt? One of your very own? Ok unless you are under 7 then it probably won’t fit you but you may know a little person who would love to run around in one of these gorgeous skirts!

The winner will get to pick out of the following skirts…

They all differ in sizes with the aqua and yellow being the smallest (1-2 years) the cream and brown the middle size(3-4 years) and the red and blue/lavender being the largest (5+ years). My daughter is almost 4 and wears size 4 clothing and fits all 3 sizes for different looks. The waistband is adjustable so go for a larger size if in doubt.

How do you enter?

Well you can have up to 5 entries

1. Leave a comment

2. Become a follower (you will find this to your right…) and leave a comment to let me know

3. Subscribe to my blog in bloglines, google reader or similar…and leave a comment to let me know

4. Share this post (ie link to it) on Facebook or Twitter… and let me know in a comment

5. Share about this giveaway on your blog…and let me know in a comment

So for everything you do make sure you leave a comment so I know you have done it.

I will leave entries open for 7 days.

Good luck!

Blogtoberfest Day 4 {Circle Skirt}

2010-10-04T20:17:00.002+11:00

Do you have a favourite blog to read, one that you get all excited about when the page starts to load? MADE is that for me! I love the clothes she makes for her daughter and she shares many of these as tutorials or patterns. Don’t you love a generous blogger! I know it must take a while to get them together. My latest favourite is this circle skirt. Not sure that it would suit my shape but I know it would look ultra cute on my girls! So today as soon as i found the tutorial I drafted a pattern for each of my older girls. Unfortunately I don’t have any fabric I am happy with for this pattern so, alas I have to go shopping! Meanwhile my patterns will be waiting for the perfect fabric to arrive (loving the exchange rate at the moment!). Oh and you can dye some elastic to match for the waistband! How cool is that!

New look

2010-10-04T00:21:00.002+11:00

We with a little fiddling I have managed to create a new look for my blog! To be honest this post is simply to test if my new signature works!

Blogtoberfest Day 3 {Carefree clothes for girls}

2010-10-03T10:16:00.001+11:00

A month and a half ago it was my birthday. My husband asked for a list of possible gifts to buy me so I obliged and emailed him a huge list…the next day I received almost every thing on that list (yes I was very spoiled!). A few of those items were some gorgeous books I had been wanting for a while.

I love that I can buy a Japanese craft book….in English! i can understand the instructions(unlike the other ones I have).

I love this top…might not make it in such a light colour…my girls would have this stained in minutes! A lot of the projects in this book are in cream and white which I just wouldn’t go near for my girls. I think they could just as easily be made in gorgeous colours too though.

I want this skirt for myself! I think it would look gorgeous with a print on the top layer and matching solid for the underlayers peeking out! Maybe one for one of my girls first and then one for me!

This gorgeous little scarf is made with all the scraps from the other projects in the book which I think is a great idea!

I think this little jacket with the scarf attached is such a great idea! No way of the kids loosing the scarf now!

So lots of inspiration…sadly nothing has been happening with my sewing machine for a couple of months now. It must be time to dust it off in honour of Blogtober!